Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-01-15
SHATTERED IDOLS:
A Harsh and Cruel Transition
from Romance to Reality.

alvin
NV poor Leila! is there nothing can do
for Won ~ asked Margaret Hammond, pity.
noiy. as she bent over her sick friend.
Roth girls were young, but in all other
respccts no stronger contrast could be I'M
lgined ,...,-
leila Norton was a frail little creature,
with fluffy yellow hair, fair complexion
IA bohv.biue ewes. Nature seemed to have
lnsforcd her to pose as the type OF those
.,onen whose clingng dependence is so al
urlug to the protecting tenderness OF many
men.
MARGARET Hammond, on the contrary, had
, GrIicli, decided way of moving and speak
~ which indlcated independence Of char
.c'er and opinions of her own. her clear
ray eyes showed intellect and soul, while
hey served to make interesting rather
lain face. She was tall and slender, but
10, graceful, and her chief beauty was
mass Of wavy, dark brown halr.
She was paying a visit to Leila, when the
after became seriously i'll, and Margaret at
once installed herself as chief nurse.
TEL me-" she repeated, sis there moth
ing can do for youE
Leila turned towards her with eyes like
levy fOrgCt-mc-nOts
oh she sobbed "if you would only
write to John"
Certainly, and what shall sayl"
"Oh. don't know Say am sick and
send my love. 1t is such pity you don't
know John. He is so nice"
Margaret smiled and said: 81 believe
girls usually admire their own lovers, but
what do you mean by 'nice'l Tell me
some of his characteristic traits"
Leila pouted He is not characters
tic at all He is just lovely, and he says
he sweetest things about me-
"Of course, but l know about you, and
what am trying to find out is about him"
And l am trying to tell you, but you
won't let me- don't know how to describe
i'm. and-yes! He is characteristic in
ne thing, for he will not have his picture
aiken, so have none to show you"
Never mind, l have already painted him
10 suit myself, and now | am ready TO
write if YOU will dictate the letter"
"Oh, make it a note, and you know what
TO saw" u
--~rgaret raised her eyes all glowing with
light. "Only think" she said, softly, '.he
still remembcrs!"
Yes" simpered Leila, ''he said he could
never forget me. When you write to him
about me don't tell him l am going to be
married, ana see what he says in his next
letter.
A strange pang shot through Margaret
and drowned the light IN her eyes.
II shall write whatever YOU wish" she
replied, and laying down the letter began
to speak If other things.
AS soon as she was alone, she re.read the
letter, carefully weighing each word
Yes" she thought, Leila was right. 1t
IS OF her he wishes to know How could |
De 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:
my DEARMR. LEssING: Yourletterrea
me yesterday, and was it not strange coin
eldence that Miss Norton should be here al che
tine? -
i remember writing letters for her curing
ner hlheSs, ana II is pleasure 10 me chat
can again serve her and you.
she is quite well and time has touched her
lightly.
''She sympathizes with you IN the loss OF
your wife, and she was pleased 10 near OF you
once more. She has continued TO 1--we at the
old home in her usual sunny light-hearted
lash on, and she and are as 'great friends as
We were n days agone'
ny name IS the only tbCg about me which
time is Powerless 10 charge.
Very trrly yours,
MARGARET HAMMOND"
She sent the letter i7th grim feeling of
aud tired hard to convince her
sen IAat she did not1ook for an answer, but
the reply came pro aDlly and ran as follows.
MY DEAR Miss HAMMOND: can not com.
prchend how it was tnat so signally failed To
make my elf urd, rstood
II g o. yOVlseif ] wish 10 know Your
'recz5 letters tltracted me long ago. and vour
lers steat way Of Ignoring yourself has poued
ny cu- osity.
W.n you not be friend to me for nv own
'1Ne' Very truly yours,
JOHN LESSIEG."
Margaret's feelings were a mixture Of
rlompt and interest
Letter after letter went 10 and fro .Jobn
ereFed and read each one with relish.
o!HoqLIzng; A plucky little woman. Iots
u GRIT rosy cheeks, expect, and snanning
.1 '.SON eyes. While Margaret read his
'P.'ues with no less interest and the
-, 80. - loVer hlddenwlthin her heart letter
y ie'ler assumed the name of John Less.
a a Iast ne wrote that he was coming East
lay. upon certain
~ - was !lke the kiss Of the Prince upon the
.Ps oi the Sleeping Beauty, The t,idaaI,,
DNet GWoke. He rose TO his fuu ,norI,.
s,5u'' : ms tender brown eyes lost their LOOK
: urv4uiiness, his handsome bearded face
calalng raralg with expression, and Margaret
repaired 10 meet him. 6N'0'
,ncS ~e fingered the piano with caressing
,%en,S % @t,u so dreamed Of playing accompani.
leu's lor him She brought ON, Re-
,. ''olIle books with the belief that tbey
ere ms" favorites also.
10 suS ni,ln nau placed bouquet Of flowers upon
- 70 plano, ana was about to 90 up stairs N
IS "ra ncr uuu gray morning gown fora
l,. eoulhg garment with a dash of
no. ,g,, "nen man was ushered into the
am droIrlng tln footsteps she turned around. and
~ ,'i ion1y,5 'Tr serene height of "fve feet five"
corot"J ,s1 ,,,,,S uown upon polished bald pate.
wnv rsd Nh Sa,u iamorequin-ike fringe OF
WY wv req ha'r Then the details OF waterv
ue eyes, wide month hri~,i1. "are'1