Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-09-07
TEXTS.
Everything is in such perfe.

1t is a singular fact that things are
apt to be Sin perfect taste ina bach
elor's residence, so far as the eyes of
his unmarried lady friends are con
cerned; but then Mr. Elsley's house
was new and elegant, with marble
vestibules, floors of inIaid wood, and
furniture scattered after the most
modern and approved styles.
eyes, said Mr.. Elsley, looking
complacently around his library,
where the dark oak cases full OfTurk-
ish leather and Russia bindings con
Tasted exquisitely with the green
Orlut carpet, the silken hangings and
the violent and amber tints of the
stained glass OrieI window; 81 think
myself it isn't so bad. All I want
now is a pair of illuminated texts
over the doorway"
ooh, let me make them for you,
said Clara Wexford, artIessly. 'I
am so fond Of Illuminating texts. I
should be delighted to have some
little memory ofmy insignificant self
woven in among those pretty things.
May I?''
81 couldn't think Of troubI ing
you," said Mr.. Elsley; but at the
same time he noticed how pretty
Clara's eyes were lifted in the shy APP
pealing manner
81 am sure Clara would be
charmed, said Mrs Wexford.
''Ill have them all ready by the
end Of the week, :" said Clara. ooh, I
shall be so proud
And she clapped her little dimpled
hands like G, child.
Mr.. Elsley sat down and meditated
IN the great velvet cushions of the
easy chair after his lady guests were
gone.
He was a bachelor. That was a
/ fOregOne conclusion. But then again
that was no reason that heshOuld al
! ways remain a bachelor. 1t was a
lonely, unsatisfactory sort of life.
He knew within himself that he had
become disguised with it long ago.
He had not married as a young man
because some Intangible, but none
the less impossible, barrier of pride
and Otfense had risen up between
him and the girl who was his first
sweetheart. Old Mr. Barringer had
refused to allow Stella to marry a
young man who opposed him direct
ly in politics as well as in sundry so
cial matters. Stella had declined to
/ set herself in opposition to her
grandfather's will.
Wait, Ralph, wait" she had said,
with tears IN her eyes: cit will all
come right"
No, it viii not all come right, -
said Ralph Elsley, with all the impa-
thence Of a youthful and intOleranb
lover. ct comes to this, Stella, you
/ have to choose between your grand
/ father and me"
cob, RaIph!''
1T is just as you choose. I do not
urge you one way or the other"
but grandpa is so old and feeble"
''In other words, you prefer him to
me. l thought yOulOVedme,S Stella y
Stella's only answer was a flood of
tears-and Balph Elsley left her in
anger. The next week old Simeon
/ Barringer sailed for Europe.
That was. the end of it. Old Bar
ringer died-as he ought to have done
/ long ago, Elsley mechanically re
/ Elected. No news came from Stella
/ of course she was married to some
wealthy LOndOner; and Cupid folded
/ his wings and laid aside his culver at
/ the threshold OfRalph Elsley's heart
Love is over, so far as I am con
! cerned, " said he to himself And ne
/ really thOuGhtsO.
But that was all in the past Nc
reason now that he should not
marry. 1t was the thing to do, he
supposed. And Clara Wexford was
d nice girl enough: Not like Stella,
/ to be sure; but where was there one
in all the world who could ever take
Z Stella's place? Clara was true and
/ gentle and innocent, and Clara loved
him. That should be enough.
: Well, the Illuminated texts came,
! daintily mounted and framed, in the
+ course Of a few days, and critic
/ though he was ElsleY could not but
J acknowledge that they were perfect.
/ One was Faith, Hope and Charity"
/ the large letters in gold, Overhung,
( wel-tWisted festOOns of lilies of the
+ valley, the silver bells and glossy
/ green leaves exquisitely tinted. The
( other, For He Is Our Peace" in
( crimson and gold medieval letters,
+ Wreathed arOundi in myrtle and wild
! ViOlets.
'rWhat do you think of those?'' he
/ exultingly asked Of my Clymer, the
rector Of st. Aramis's, and his only
/ intimate friend, when that gentle
man sauntered In, as usual, for his
evening cigar. Mr. Clymer put up
/ his eyeglasses-he was rather near
/ sighted-and took a good look be-
! fore he answered:
/ ssVo,.- v,,.++rv - so5J no sCTVbovo