The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-04-30
SOMERSET. PA, wEDNEDAY, APRIL 80 1890

tinguished official, the abrupt, unsoften-
ed refusal Of this other. The poor wo-
mans heart had long been sick with
hope deferred her pride and confidence
had been laid low: she was about to
make one last, desperate effort tc move
some compassionate interference in her
behalf and it was with an sgony of hope
and fear unspeakable, that she heard
the silken rustic at the door, which an
nounced the great lady's entrance.
A beautiful woman, majestic in bear
ing. came forward and acknowledged the
anxious widows presence with gracious
courtesy. The IS peculiar gentle
ness in her ma toward such appii-
csnts, but she saw so many Of them it
was not possible to assist them all and
the Senator's wife often carried a sad
heart under her rich robes, for world Of
various miseries not to be relieved.
The widow took courage at sight Of
her. Il was easier than she had thought,
after all her bitter experiences, to present
her ease once naore-aias, such common
case She urged it with the eloquence of
desperation. In her earnestness she fail
ed to notice how, at the first sound Of
her voice, the Senator's wife had started
nervously. and fixed upon her close,
scrutinizing glance that the LADY, cheek
grew paler, and her brows contracted
darkly. But when, in answer 10 the
pressing plea for help, the Senator's wife
sad, constrainedly, that she could not
tell. 80 many such claims were daily
madc known, and the widow, trembling
all over at thought of this last chance
slipping away, absolutely threw herself
at her feet in her distress, she felt the
Senator's wife draw back with strong re-
coil.
"Oh, madam, it is life or death with
me- cried the widow. II have no friends
to press my claim, and ! have applied
everywhere in vain. If the Senator Will
not help me, must see my children
starve. hear everywhere how Kind you
ara do speak to him for me. ] entreat
yoa. for the love of God y
She lifted her eyes, full Of beseeching
anguish, 10 the lady's tace. But there
was no relenting on that brow, no com
passion in that cold glance, at once avert
ed from her and lifted elsewhere, as if
the sight Of any other object were prefer
able. Well for the widow that it WAS so
For at that moment Of fate, when her
future lay in the balance, and the lips OF
its arbitress trembled with a seathing
word from the past, which would have
sounded in her ears ike death kEeil,
the lady's eyes fell upon an old painting
that adorned the opposite wall. 4 stray
sunbeam, glancing out OF the steeiy
gloom Of the January heavens. touched
il. as she looked; and brought forth from
the dark canvass in vivid, momentsry
cIearness, the face Of our divine Lord,
bent under the cruel crown o thorns, and
convulsed with the agony Of more than
mortal sorrow-
The strained eyes OF the anxious sup
plant saw, without comprehending, the
face Of the Senator's wife. With trem-
ulous hand she signaled to the widow to
rise"
you may leave your papers, she said,
in the tone of one struggling with herself
for mastery. Il will speak to my hus-
band about your case. That is all | can
promise at present. Good morning"
Hardly knowing, between this glimpse
Of encouragement, and the strange, ao-
rupt dismissal that accompanied it,
whether to yield her heart TO hope or
despair, the widow, in a whirl Of emotion
went out Of the warm mansion into the
bitter street, and hurried homeward 10
the melancholy room, where her two
pale young daughters sat trying to sew,
in the midst of the shabby furniture that
had once been fine. There was wonder
and speculation over her report Of the
interview; thetwo girls refused to see
anything but hopeful auguries in the
words Of the great lady.
People say she IS so good, said the
eldest. The other day, when l went to
get this bundle of work, Mrs. Wells
pointed her out TO me, sitting in her car
riAge, and know, just from her face, that
she is ready TO help anybody
Il cannot tell, said the mother, drear-
lily.
And she would, of course, see that
you were lady, mother" she went on,
confidently. Il know she will feel for
us
"They say that she was once a poor
girl herself" said the younger daughter.
Yes-she has quite romantic story,
said the other. Most people think she
il foreigner, because Senator R
married her abroad, but Mrs. Wells told
me she knew her years ago in New York,
and that she taught elocution in a school.
Her name was II ellen Westieigh-"
Mother :" shrieked the younger
daughter, spring!ng TO the chair into
which the widow had fallen, pale as
death for the name had made clear to
her all tha, seemed inexplicable in the
conduct of the Senator's wife, and she
had tainted.
Yes. Mrs. Lennox-for the widow was
Mrs. Lennox-had again come face to
face with Celia's sister, and committed
unwittingIy her last hope of better for
tune for her children and herself into
her hands, that had, long ago, been rails
ed to heaven against her, with threat
and promise of vengeance
She recovered consciousness directly,
but she felt that for her all was over.
The senator's wife would doubtless keep
her promise but the presentation Of the
widows appeal would go hand in hand
with the story of Celia Westleigh's 5
wrongs and sorrows. The hour bad
come which Helen's outraged heart had
foreseen and predicted /; the hour in
which her enemy was to stand before her
humbled in the dust, TO receive the same
measure which, in pride and hardness OF
I heart. she had meted out TO Others. The
cup of her punishment was full to over
I flowing.
| From that moment Mrs Lennox gave
up claims as hopeless, and fell into a
.+a,a of I;utiass broodinO desnair The