The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-09-12
ONLY A BUTTERFLY.

ONLY A BUTTERFLY.
Sweet is true love. though given in vain, in
vain;
And sweet is Death, who puts an end to pain
/ know not which is sweeter no not L.
The words of the old refrain died
away in low, plaintive moan; and
the singer, Lilias Brereton, threw down
the guitar on which she had accom-
panied her song, and slowly crossed
the heavy curtains, she looked out into
the night.
Down in the garden everything lay
glittering under the silvery light of
the moon. Statues and fountains
cleaned white as the snow which cov-
cred the ground around them; and a
short distance to the west lay the riv-
eli, like molten silver, not ripple
marring its serenity. The peace which
| enwrapped all nature was indeed a
vivid contrast to the disquiet reigning
supreme in the soul of the girl who
stood looking out at all the beauty with
weary, unappreciative eyes.
Il believe | am going mad" she
said. "Oh, if could only get away
from it ALL" She gazed wistfully at
the shining river in the distance. A
terrible shudder shook her whole
frame, while her lips murmured: "No,
not that! | could never be so con-
temptible coward as thatw
Suddenly she became aware of ap-
preaching steps, and drew back be-
hind the curtains, waiting until they
should pass by, as she felt in no mood
to entertain the guests with whom her
Aunt Lois always filled the house at
this season of the year.
Two people approached and stopped
at the window where Lilias stood.
With start. she recognized them. 1t
was Roy Darlington and Miss Lin
den. She heard her own name men
| toned.
.'She is only frivolous butterfly,
born to live and dazzle little for her
short life, and then, like the rest of
that winged family, to sink into obliv-
ion and be forgotten even by those who
knew her best"
Miss Linden's soft, languid voice
SPOKE the words more than a trife ma
| liciously, as she stood by Boy Car
rington's side, in all her brilliant dark
| beauty, and looked up into his face.
The white-robed girl behind the cur
tains awaited with pale, eager face his
answer
Roy Darlington loved with his whole
heart the beautiful woman who had
just spoken, but he wondered, uneasi-
ly, why women, and especially such
peerless creatures as his Lucille, were
not more magnanimous toward those
of their sex who could never even ex-
pect to rival them. And he answered
gravely, reprovingly:
''In a joking manner l once called
Lilias a butterfly, because-I gave her
my reason at the time-she always
seemed so merry, light-hearted, and
free from all care. But, Lucille, | never
considered her one whit frivolous; in
stead, | am sure she is q noble, true
hearted woman
Lucille laughed sarcastically. 1t
pleased her not at all that her Low er
should praise 81 other woman, and tn at
the one whom she hated. Then they
passed on in silence.
Lilias crept out from her place be-
hind the curtains.
''She is cruel!' she murmured. II
think | hate her! But he God bless
hlm!'
A dull WEAKNESS seemed creeping
into her very heart. The words of the
old song came to her:
.Oh, love. if death be sweeter, let me die."
Il wonder how the world would
get along if there were no such thing
as love-" she pondered, rather bitterly.
Standing there in her white draper
les, she looked more like a spirit than
flesh and blood. SO thought Roy Car
rington, who returned silently and ufl-
accompanied, having unwillingly re-
linquiShed Miss Linden 20 Aunt Lois,
who wanted to consult her on some
trivial matter.
He started as he perceived Lilias;
then, coming forward with a smile,
said:
What a weird sprite you are, little
one. You absolutely startled me-"
He always addressed her as he would
have addressed child, for in truth
she seemed one to him, in spite of her
19 years. He felt an unaccountabl BILE
tenderness for the girl, who seemed so
small and frail in body and so much
his junior. Then, too, he had often
carried her in his arms when she was
a tiny tot of or 5 years. having known
her for almost her whole life.
Lilias looked up, making very sorry
attempt to smile.
Gazing at the moon has ever been
n fayorite pastime with me-" she said.
''Old Mamie declares-she was my
nurse, you kuow-that even when /
was a very little thing | used to cry
| because | could not have it"
Roy laughed in a good-natured man.
| ner, and unconsciously laid one hand
on the head of the little creature be-
side him.
.Lilias," he said, after a pause. 81
have something to tell my little friend,
which am sure she will be glad to
hear"
The girl looked up eagerly, wonder
ingly.
'.Lilias, lam the happiest man in the
world tonight. Lucille Linden is my
| betrothed wife"
A world of happiness shone in his
face and almost transtigured it. For a
moment her heart seemed to stop its
beating, and a mist came before her
| eyes. But for moment only, and
| then both heart and mind acted in uni
son as before. Truly, as she told her.
self, she had expected this, had known
1 II XVpnli pnps tn naSS VARY Snop. h,t