Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-06-22
SHATTERED IDOLS.

respects no stronger contrast could be i'm
agined.
Leila Norton was frail little creature,
with fluffy yellow hair, fair complexion
and baby-blue eyes. Nature seemed to have
designed her to pose as the type of those
women whose clinging dependence is so
alluring to the protecting tenderness of
many men.
Margaret Hammond, on the contrary,
had quick, decided way of moving and
speaking, which indicated independence of
character and opinions of her OWL. Her
clear gray ewes showed intellect and soul,
while they served TO make interesting
rather plain face. She was tall and slen-
der, but not graceful, and her chief
beauty was a mass OF wavy, dark brown
hair.
She was paying a visit to Leila, when
the latter became seriously i'll, and Mar
garet at once installed herself as chief
nurse.
"Tell me- she reported, is there moth
ing / can do for you ?''
Della turned toward her with eyes like
dewy forget-me-nots.
"Oh," she sobbed, IF you would only
write to John"
certainly, and what shall say?7
ooh don't know Say am sick ard
send my love. 1t is such a pity you don't
know John. He is so nice
Margaret smiled and said Il believe
girls usually admire their own lovers, but
what do you mean by NIECE Tell me some
Of his characteristic traits
Leila pouted He is not characteristic
at all. lie is just lovely, and he says the
sweetest things about me
"Of course, but l know about you, and
what | am trying to find out is about
him"
"Aud / am trying to tell you and you
won't let me. | don't know how to de-
scribe him, ~and-yes He is character
istic in one thing, for he will not have
his picture taken, so | have none to show
you
"Never mind, I have already painted
him to suit myself, and now | am ready to
write if You will dictate the letter"
ooh, make it note, and you know what
to saw"
So Margaret wrote as follows:
Ny DEAR Mr. LEssrNG: NV friend, Miss Nor
ton, has requested ME to inform YOU of her
serious illness, which deprives her of the pleas
ure Of writing to YOU. We hone she will be bet
ter IL a few days, when she will speak for her
self, and express to you, more eloquently than
] can, the love which she wishes Inc to send
Sincerely your friends friend,
MARGARET HAMMOND.
This note was received by Mr. Lessing
in a Western city, and the return mail
brought 10 Leila letter Overlooking with
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 NortonS illness.
Quite a correspondence followed, for the
fair invalid was sure John would be I'M
happy if he did not know the details of
each days convalescence, but in the course
Of 4 week or two her health was fully re-
stored, and, after an alectionate 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 maturity, and how
many of its loves and friendships are dis
carded as outgrown garments.
But the friendship of Margaret and Lee
liza has wiihstood the test of time, though
the love Of Leila and John has long been
dream Of the past.
Lsilas heart now thrills with other
hopes, and she is soon to be happy bride.
She is making visit to Margaret-the
last one before her marriage. She is but
little changed, has still the same winning,
childlike face and figure.
Margaret has become thinner, few
threads Of gray CLEAN through her beauti-
ful hair, and her manner with strangers has
touch OF primness. She has many friends
but is still unmarried.
Leila, said she one day, "what be-
came of John Lessing?'
/ believe he went further West. How
strange his name sounds | have not
thought of him for years, and we were
once so devoted TO each other He used to
sing such pretty song about Thine eyes
so blue and tender One verse was some
thing like this:
Thy lips are like the roses
Under an azure sky,
Allured by their marvellous sweetness
How can pass them by?
and Just there he always kissed me. Poor
fellow! he felt dreadful when broke the
engagement. He said he could never love
again, but here comes the postman. l
wonder if he has 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 reading letter.
Presently Leila looked up, with smile
Of satisfied vanity, and started with sur
prise to see the expression Of Margaret's
face.
"What is it ?' she asked
Listen" said Margaret; this letter is
from John Leasing"
Ny Dear Mss Hammond Pardon the liberty
] take in addressing you, but once you acted the
part of 4 friend 70 me and convinced me that
you have warm heart.
Do you not remember that about ten years ago
your friend, Miss Norton
You and she were great friends in those days,
and have often wondered what has become OF
you. viii you not be kind 10 me again and
write? have heard no news from Eastern
friends for some years,
Several years ago I married, and I had
happy home until two years ago, when my wife
diet have one little girl.
l have addressed you by your maiden name,
though I am uncertain whether you stiIl bear it.
prompt reply viii greatly oblige. very
truly yours, JOIN LESsISG.
Margaret raised her eyes all glowing
with light. "Only think" she said softly,
she still remembers
Eyes" simpered Leila, "he said he
could never forget me- When you write
to him about me don't tell him / am going
to be married, and see what he says in his
next letter"
A strange pang shot through Margaret
and drowned the light in her eyes.
| shall write whatever you wish" she
replied, and laying down the letter began
to speak of other things.
As soon as she was alone she carefully
re-read the letter, weighing each word
Yes" she thought, Leila was right 1t
is Of her he wishes to know. How could
be so foolish as to think otherwise He
was her lover, and he could not even think
Of me without first thinking of her"
The next day she wrote;