The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-09-28
MYRTLE !; H0WARD'S SIN.


II vas charming scene; the village
hall decorated with vines and flowers
The soft music from tho band and the
sweet fragrance of the June roses filed
all the air with sweet sounds and rich
perfume. The occasion was n strawberry
festival given by the young people OF the
little village of Stanhope.
Myrtle Howard stood by the window,
looking down the long hall, watching the
ever changing scene with smile of en-
ioyment. She looked very beautiful to-
night-crimson roses in her beautiful
hair, \ white dress with crimson at her
throat. while the roses in her cheeks out
riyaled the roses in her hair. There was
q look Of expectation in the black eyes,
and she watched the door eagerly, and
still the person sho was looking for did
not come.
Surely Lewis Will be hero tonight"
she murmured to herself. "How sur
prised he will be to see me here, and how
glad / shall be to see him! Ny noble
Lewis.-not my Lewis, but he shall be,
for love besets love, they say, and some
time, il not now, Lewis will love me even
as love him"
All! there he is, and with him Madeline
Vernon, and a shadow darkened t he beau
with pretty Maddie Vernon, the village
belle, leaning on his arm.
Myrtle Howard had been on n visit,
previous to which Lewis Stanley had paid
her considerable attention, and she had
allowed herself to love him, while Lewis
had only 4 brothers love for her, telling
her often that she reminded him of his
sister. He hadn't n thought that Myrtle
cared for him, so when she went away no
commenced to go with Madeline Vernon,
ut first because she was pretty and the
belle Of StanhOpe, and now because he
had learned to love her and hoped to win
her for his wife.
SOM people called Madeline Vernon a
firt, but she was not firt. She was
pretty, graceful and naive, and of course
had many admirers. The girls were ,uri-
Ously jealous OF her, and though they
treated her we'll TO her face, they did net
hesitate TO say pretty sharp things the
moment her back was turned.
Maddie and Myrtle had always been
warm friends. but now, as Myrtle stood
and watched Lewis and Madcie, saw how
fondly he looked down into the bright,
sparkling face, she hated Madeline Yer
non, for she felt that Lewis was lost to
her forever; and now, though Maddie did
not know it, she had made an enemy that
would leave no stone unturned to blight
her young life, for the evil in Myrtle's
nature had been aroused and II would
make the hearts OF Madeline Vernon and
Lewis Stanley ache.
Myrtle left the window and with stately
ttep walked over TO where Macdie and
Lewis were standing why, MyrtIe"'
both exclaimed, when did you come,
How glad we are that you have como
back; We have missed you so much"
~L.,k Ill - f.N ~
Madd;e said "Hov sweet the flowers
Rrei YoG remember what Lord Bacon
ssys about flowers, don't ycu," she con-
tinued, turning 10 Lewis; isn't it a
sweet thought, The breath OF flowers
comes and goes IN the air Ike the vGrb-
ling Of music must 80 now, fo- see
i have to sing solo, ct least tho pro-
Grammo says so. You two can have
nice little talk while l ara torturiaZ sen
sitive eears with Cantilina;" aad with ! gay
wave Of the little hand MadGis left them.
81 always think OF TenEyson's Made
line whenever / see Nsddie, don't you,
Mr.. Stanley, These three lines are Just
like hsr," and Myrtle repeated:
Smiling frewniag everrers,
Thou art perfect IN lOTe-ioEe,
ETeT-ysryfng Asdsline."
But just then tho sweet voice Of Made-
| line rang through tho hall, and Lewis saw
nothing, heard nothing but Madeline.
He did not see the angry look in Myrtle's
eyes, or hear the muttersd words thst
| were anything but complimentary to
himself.
what a hirt she IS" Myrtle remarked.
! rs the two watched Madeline come of
the stage, and saw her talking and lauRh-
| ing in her easy way with seyeral gentle
| men who had surrounded her.
Excuse me" Lewis answered, az don't
think Miss Vernon IS n firt at all"
Il suppose not, ," was the answer. at IS
| very difficult 10 persuade gentlemen OF Il
| until they arc convinced by experience.
| They are like children; they must have
4 their fingers burnt before they will be-
lieve the fame is anything hut pretty"
| Just thea Madeline returned to them.
"Look, f" she said, "all the foTcrs ] havei
| Here, Myrtle, you shall have this calla
lily, for it Is like you-stntsly; and this
rosebud and Seranium leaf You shall
| have, Lewis, not because you deserve the
| gift, bu: because don't know what else
to do with it" and Maddie looked at him
| with saucy smile.
/ Lewis watched Madeline closely that
evening. Was she a fiirt, nc asked him
self He could not believe ii. If there
was anything Lewis Stanley detested it
was flirting. He determined to keep a
close watch on Madeline, and to find out
for himself whether she was fiirt or
not He did keep close watch: so close
that the rest OF the gentlemen declared
that they could never get = chance OF
speaking to Maddie. for Lew Stanley was
forever by her side, and village Sossips
nodded their wise heads over thei- tea
cups and thought that Maddie had met
her fate at last, and soon there would be
a wedding at Squire Nernon's.
| Myrtle Howard heard all this. How
| she hated Madeline for stealing from her
the only heart she ever coveted. On one
| thing she determined: Madeline Vernon
] should never be Lewis Stanlcy's wife.
II was at a lawn-tennis party that Lewis
told Maddie of his love. They had wan
dered away from the rest OF the party TO a
little summer-house hidden by hc honey
suckle. They did not know that Myrtle
had seen them and had followed them
with slow, cautious footsteps.
Lewis did not suspect that other ears