The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-11-30
SHATTERED IDOLS.

My poor Leilal is there nothing I
.an do for your" asked Margaret
Hammond pityingly, asshe bent over
her sick friend.
Both girls were young, but in all
other respects no stronger contrast
could be imagined.
Leila Norton was a frail little
creature, with fluffy yellow hair, n
lair complexion and baby-hlue eyes.
Nature seemed to have designed her
to pose as the type of those women
whose clinging dependence is so nj
turing to tho protecting tenderness
Of many men.
Margaret Hammond, on the con-
trary, had a quick, decided way of
moving and speaking, which indicat-
I'd independence of character and
opinion of her own. Her clear gray
Eyes showed intellect and soul, while
they served to make interesting q
rather plain face. She was tall and
slender, but not graceful, and her
chief beauty was n mass of wavy,
dark brown hair.
She was paying n visit to Leila,
when the latter became seriously ill,
and Margaret at once installed her.
self as chief nurse.
''Tell me-" she repeated, els there
nothing can do for you?"
Leila turned towards her with eyes
like dewy forget-me-nots.
ooh" she sobbed, elf you would
only write to John!"
Certainly, and what shall l sny?"
ooh, / don't know. Say I'm sick
ard l send my love. 1t is such n
pity you don't know John. He is SO
Margaretsmilcd and said: Ibelieve
girls usually admire their own
lovers, but what do you mean by
fnice'?" Tell me some of his character
istic traits"
Leila pouted. "He is not 'charac-
tcristic' at all. He is justlovely, and
no says the sweetest things about
me"
"Ofcourse, but l know about you,
and what l am trying to find out
is about him."
"And am trying to tell you, but
you won't let me. don'tknow how
to describe him, and-yes! He is
characteristic in one thing, for lie
will not have his picture taken, SO
have none to show YOU"
"Never mind, 1 have already
painted him to suit myself, and now
| am ready to writeifyou will dictate
tho letter."
ooh, make it anote, and you know
what to say"
So Margaret wrote as follows:
"My dear Mr.. Lessing-My friend, Miss
Norton. has reqcatcd me to inform You OF
her serious illness, which deprived her of tho
pleasure of writing to you. We hope she will
be better in a few days, when so will speak
Tor herself and express 10 you, more eloquent
" than Gun, the love which she wished mo
to send.
Sincerely ys % Fri friends a1s friend: ;,
This note was received by Mr.. les
sing in a Western city, and the return
mail brought to Leila IL letter over
fiowing&ith sympathy and love. He
sent kind regards to Miss Hammond,
and begged that she would be his
friend also, and write to him daily
during Miss Norton's illness.
Quite correspondence followed for
the fair invalid was sure "John"
would be unhappy if he did
not know tho details OF each days
convalescence, but in the course
ola week or two her health was fully
restored, and after an affectionatc
farewell, Margaret returned to her
own home.
How many changes take place in
ten years! Not only those caused by
death, but the inevitable changes of
life. Youth is transformed into ma
turity, and how many of it's loves
and friendships are discarded as out
grown garments.
But the friendship of Margaret and
Leila has withstood the test of time,
though the love of Leila and John
has long been Il dream of the past.
Leila's heart now thrills with other
hopes, and she is soon to be a happy
bride. She is making n visit to Mar
garet-thc last one before her mar
riage. She is but II little changed,
has still the same winning, childlikc
face and figure.
Margaret has become thinner, n few
threads of gray CLEAN through her
beautiful hair, and her manner with
strangers has q touch of primness.
She has many friends, but is still un-
"Leila," said she one day, "what
became of John Lessing?"
II believe he went farther West. |
How strange his name sounds! I
have not thought of him for years,
and were once so devoted to each
other. He used to sing me such n |
pretty song about Chime eyes so
blue and tender" One verse was
something like this:
Thy lips arc like the roses
Under an1lZure sky,
Allured by their marvellous sweetness
How can pass them by!
and just there he always kissed me.
Poor fellowi he felt dreadful when | |
broke the engagement. He said lie
could never love again, but here
comes the postman. ] wonder if he
has n letter for me from Clarence"
There proved to be one, and Leila
was soon SO absorbed in it that she |
did not notice Margaret was also
letter.
Presently Leila looked up, with u
smile of satisfied vanity, and started
with surprise to see the expression of
face.
"What is it?" she asked.
'Listcn," said Margaret, "this let
ter is from John Lessing"'
"My dear Miss Hammond-Pardon the lib
prty take in addressing You. but once you
noted the part of friend to me and convinc.
I'd me that you have q warm heart"
DO you not remember that about ten
years ago you wroie mo number of bright
letters for your friend. Mics Norton?
you and she were great friends in those
lays. and have often wondered what has
become of You. Will you not be kind to me
again and write? hnve heard no news from
Eastern friends for many years.
several years ago married, and had q
happy. home until two years ago, when my
wife died. have one little girl
II have addressed you by your maiden
though i rfoSV oh NJ hos l