The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-04-03

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AND RAN.
rated and festooned with rare plants and
flowers. The pulpit platform was one
great bank of blooming foliage. 1t was
sight both refreshing and lovely and
Jack could not help enjoying the scene,
though his thoughts were far away.
The organ pealed forth in response to
the animated touch of the enthusiastic
organist, the choir and congregation
rose to join their voices in one glad
burst of hosannahs of praise to God in
the highest whose Son had died and to-
day is risen, but still the one Jack most
wished to see came not. He had been
casting furtive chances in the direction
of the door, and as the great concourse
of people was singing the last line of
the hymn he was rewarded by seeing
her enter. But-was it possible? Could
he believe his eyes?
Yes; they had revealed only too faith
fully the true condition of affairs. The
confusion of thoughts that came rushing
upon him made his brain whirl round
and round, and ere he could regain his
composure she had passed up the aisle to
her fathers pew, never deigning look
or smile in his direction, although he
was certain she had seen him.
The agony of that long and, to him,
almost endless hour! Will he ever for
get it? The air was sitting; he could
hated himself and Lydia and every body
else.
But finally the last hymn was sung,
the last prayer said, and he was breath
ing the fresh air once more. As he be-
came more rational he began to suspect
that perhaps, through some possible
oversight, the florist had not filled his
order. No sooner had he reached this
conclusion than he started with haste
in that direction.
''Storrs? Storrs? Why, most as
suredly. sir. Box of flowers to young
lady in B. street, to be delivered Satur-
day p. m. Were they not received?"
"Well-er-I couldn't say positively.
That isl mean she did not wear
them this morning." said poor, confused
Jack, blushing violently.
''Of course they were sent. remem-
Der now, the boy started early in the
afternoon with them and when he re-
turned he said he had delivered them
all right"
Not word could Jack say. To his
mind there was but one version to the
whole affair, and in his anger and indig-
nation at the terrible cut he accepted it
as the true one.
The weary weeks and months dragged
themselves out, and Jack was seldom
seen at the numerous gatherings and
socials. Lydia was nearly always there,
however, and entered into the gayeties
with spirit that unsuccessfully tried
to be light and happy.
There was an ache in her heart and
many a tear fell in the privacy of her
own room, where Of late she spent a
large share of her time.
Papa and mamma noticed that some
thing allied their darling girl, and, not
being able to assign better reason for
her white face and delicate appetite, con.
cluded she needed change of air
and scenery. This Lydia denied most
stoutly, and protested that she was in
perfect health. She knew but too we'll
what would bring back the sunshine to
her bright eyes and lovely face. She
knew, but said not word to anybody.
But it was so hard. She could not I'M
derstand why Jack acted as he did and
never came near her any more. What
had she done that he should avoid heI
50? If she could but solve the mystery,
assign some motive for Jacks conduct
As time wore on they drifted farther
and farther apart, until the breach be.
came so wide that seemingly nothing
could bridge it and restore the lovers tc
each other again.
Jacks bosom friend, Charley Walters,
knew there was something wrong, but
for the life of him he could not fathom
the mystery. He was too conslderate OF
his friends feelings to dwell on a sub
ject SO evidently painful to him, and
but for . few little slips Jack had un.
consciously made he knew practically
nothing about the affair.
| Summer and autumn had come and
gone, winter was fast going, and as
spring approached Charley was no near.
er solution OF his friends depression
than he had been months before. They
we're speaking Of the ea-iy spring that
was promising, and Charley said:
'Well, the Lenten season is nearly
completed, and with the revival of so
ciety's gayeties want you, my friend
also to throw of this melancholy spirit
and be cheerful again as you used te
be-"
His friend sat silent for q moment as
If mentally debating some question,
and then replied9
Il never told you. Charley, why have
changed SO within the past year. have
hesitated SO long because the subject Is
q most painful one to me. tell you
now that you may understand and not
insist that 70 with you into society"
| He told the entire story faithfully
and wound up with: ut was . terrible
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