The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-05-22
RETRIBUTlON.
BY MARGARET LYNN.

So "Ash " A0Aet ASPSAeA ieSS, ~ hOe
beautiful one.
She had fine head, crowned with q
wealth of rici brown hair, but it was put
simply back, ia e heavy loop behind,
guiltless of bangs, frizzes or puffs, and
her dress, though perfectly neat and
ladylike, made not the slightest pre-
tension to style.
There was not a particle of city "style"
anywhere about her-she looked like
what she was, a modest, pure, country
blossom, wildwood rose, which had
rot yet lost its freshness and fragrance.
She was intelligent-that her noble
brow would have told you at once-and
she was well educated, too, having been
an eager student with the best of teachers,
but she lacked all sign of the prestige
and self-possession OF society lady,
and, indeed, any knowledge of "society
ways" at all.
But what cared Jeanette Allyn for
society now? All the "society" she
wanted was coming to her, in few mo-
ments.
Her lover, Stephen Foster, who had
gone to the city to seek his fortune, was
coming to visit her, and she stood by
the window, wreathed with climbing
roses which Stephens hand had helped
her plant, with a bright light in her eye,
and a crimson rose-hue on the smooth
cheek nearest the window, which We'd
with the queenly flowers throughout.
Stephen had been very successful in
the city, she knew. He had won honor
and fame in his profession OF lawyer, and
he was fast winning wealth. In the late
fall he was to take her to the home in
the city, which would by that time be
ready. And Jeanette was willing to go,
for would not Stephen be with her?
She had her fears-she knew that his
sphere was now far above her, and it
might be that her simple gifts would fail
to satisfy him. But he had written, he
had said he was coming to fulfill all his
pledges, and then Jeanette was happy.
And the hour was almost arrived when
he would be with her. Nay, it had
comel For she heard his footsteps out
side at the moment, and the next he was
in her presence.
He was looking splendid, and was
elegantly dressed. He took her in his
arms and kissed her warmly, yet Jean
nette fancied she missed something from
the embrace that had been wont to be
there.
She could not have told what it was,
but she felt it. They talked long and
earnestly. Stephen told her of his strug.
gies for high position, and of his tn
umphs, and his hopes and intentions fol
the brilliant future before him.
And with every word Jeanette 5 heart
sank lower. These were heights which
she was never fitted, either by nature OF
education, to reach. With eager, ques
tioning heart, she sought, in her turn, tc
read the deepest recesses of his nature,
and the truth was borne into her very
soul. Stephen, too, felt that she was nc
longer mate for him.
She had felt his neglect more thar
once of late, but tried to believe that il
was only her fancy. Now she knew il
was not fancy She saw the bitter truth
Honor held him-he had come to fulfil
the letter of all his pledges, but thu
heart had gone out Of them, long ago
They were irksome to him, aud he would
regard her not rs helper to his brigh
future, but as a clog upon his footsteps
Poor, loving girl! She had given hin
her whole heart, her deep, undivided
love, and this blow was cruel shock
1t well-nigh killed her, but she was
proud, brave girl, las well as loving gen
tie one. She resolved not to act to-
hastily. She did not give one hint 0
her purpose to Stephen, but when he ha,
gone, she sunk upon the window-seat
buried her head in her arms upon tn
table, and wept such tears as youth weep
but once
But when she had sobbed out he
heartbreak, she was stronger.
~ have decided what to do, she said
81 will give him his freedom. If h
does not accept it,"-ah, that on
last hope that she clung to!-".hen
may be happy. But # he does-oh,
would rather he would, a thousand times
than let him wed me when he did nc
love mel"
She gathered Stephens letters all tc
eether, placed his ring with them, wrot
little letter, telling him what she ha
discovered, and setting him free, entirely
from all bonds to her.
She told him that she had not cease
to love him-never would, but feare
that he had lost hislove for her, and tn,
she wonld be clog upon his climbin
feet if he joined his lot to hers, and TIL
if he desired his freedom, it was his.
She sent the package to the hot
where he stopped, hoping against hoT
that he would not accept her sacrific,
but would hasten, joyfully, to convins
her of her mistake.
But, alas, no Stephen came! He ser
cold note, saying that perhaps she ws
right, and if she, too, desired to brea
the engagement, it would be bette
broken than kept. And he went bac
to the city by the very next train.
Poor Jeanette took up her burde
of life again, only saying sit might hay
been!" and bore it bravely. Her faith,
died, and she was left alone in the ros
wreathed cottage. She might have ma
ried. More than one sutton sought for
favor, but single experience was enoue
for her. She calmly said ''No" and ke]
on her way.
She had means enough for the mode
life she led, and if she was ever lionel
if the nights dragged aud the days gre
weary in the little cottage, where 81
lived alone with one maid, nobody ev
heard her complain.
And in the city, Stephen Foster pro-
pered. He married, six months after
left Jeanette, wealthy bride, with I
soul nor heart, vain, frivolous gil
whose silly life must often have called
his mind, in contrast, the pure, true, n
BILE woman he had cruelty deserted.
But she only lived three years, al