The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-26
A WOMAN'S HEART.

Ing my very soul? l have tried to endure all
patiently and prayed for the Hand of Light TO
draw back the dark curtain OF trouble, but ii has
been in vain; yes, all in vain.
Sitting upon q sofa, in a room neatly arranged
and comfortably furnished, the tears streaming
from her brilliant eyes, and wringinG her hands
with an expression Of intensest agony and des-
pair, these pathetic words were uttered by
young lady VINO had tasted sufficiently
OF Marahs bitter waters for one who had
passed twice her number OF years. Lilly Clay
toms father was a wealthy farmer who had mar
RED twenty years before wealthy and highly
accomplished Northern heiress. In the course OF
a few years, in which he had maryelously IN
creased his aflluence, he brought bis sweet
young wife and TWO promising children TO bis
former Virginia home. The older child was
bright boy ul five summers, and, though usually
mild IN disposition, possessed all those spirited,
independent traits Characteristic TO Northern
blood lis sister was the Idol OF his young
heart, aud should any OF lis companions speak
unkludly TO her lie would resent tile insult Win
all The great daring OF wounded manhood.
Mir. Clayton, IN most things an exemplary man,
was 100 rigid and stern IN the government OF his
family. His nTmDesS extended so lar as 10 be
termed ecceDuicty. When Charles attained his
teens he was sent TO college, whence the mdulg-
ence of his unlimited love of iun caused his pre-
clpitate expulsion. Upon his return home MIR.
Clayton sought TO suDdue the young fellows I'M
petuuus sliIit by continually shutting him of
from bis registering associates aud surrounding
seeing the world, so one night when MI Clayton
was occupied paying of his employees, Chatles
sought Lily and uufOlded 10 her his quickly
formed plans for the future That night lie
would take the midnight passenger bound for
the FL Dorado Of The West, where IN a few years
he hoped 10 be ren anu Unietered by restraint.
Tie young girl pleaded with her brother 10 stay,
but the peTsuaslonS were Intellectual, Tor LIS was
determined 10 have what lie called freedom. All,
that wOrdi how immeasurable It's meaning 10
soul kept In subsection by the chains Of cruel re-
slrictOn. Putting his arm about LILY lie said,
Maybe father wont be so hard win you Ltlyi
bur II he is. write to me and I'll find some 10
release you from this odiOus prison. Now be
good, sweet gill and always speak IN kindness OF
the brother Who tonight leaves you, perhaps for
ever"
with these parting words he left Lilly, who
realized Tor the first time 4 sbadowlng Of tbs
gloom which was 10 envelop her coming lie
How many young hearts are made 10 become
pIemaIurey stony by The iujudlciOus training Of
parents who 10 their zeal Tor their chlldTeu's
welfare mistake the aspirations OF their youthful
minds and selflshly pursue a course which be-
dWaIfs all tile lOYellueSs and genteness Within
the Young bOsOms. When morning came
and MI Clayton found that Charles had SET
aside parental authority ana without word OF
warning left his hOmr, he WAS illed With feelings
Of bitterness and hatred toward his son and for
babe The name OF Charles Clayton TO DO mem
TONED again In his presence. After Charles alb
rupt departure Mr.. Clayton settled into state
Of mOrpseness aud watched Lilly even moro
closely than lie ever did Ills son.
He gave her a good education, and when lie
should have thrown around her tile Influence OF
cODgeutsl cumpauiOus-tle paramount necessity
OF yOuth-compelied her TO remain closely at
home. When gentleman called, he was shown
into MI. Clay tons private rOOmi aud should lie
Inquire for Miss Clayton" lie would receive the
stern and short responses You cannot see her,
sir" TAis nerslStent course Of behavior soon
shut lie Sotld OF T. ON him, yet Mr.. Clayton did
.sOt realize that he had also shut himself from
tile world and alieuated his daughters affection.
One evening au invitation 10 a party al the
house Of one OF her companions was sent Lilly.
Doubtful of obtaining her fathers consent to at
tad had
not entirely crushed hope from out her life.
With a faltering step she approached Mr.. Clay
ton and told him Of the parry, Of the company ex-
pecied, and nndNy OF neT! own Invitation. L
have been here so long, father" she said, it
would be great pleasure for me 10 attend iaud-"
Lily" harshly Interrupted MIR. Clayton,
"hOw eau you ever desire 10 20 into company
where there will be nothing more difying than
dancing and frivolous cOnversation2 forbid
you going and command you to retire and let the
weak minded slfls OIL the community cOuduct
their demoraliZing sCcals and without your
presence execute tnelr barb2rOus aud fantastic
dances" PROFESSIONALLY Mr.. Clayton was
eccentric and his temperament unfathOmabe.
Lilly, with tears staining her lovely cheeks,
turned dejectedly away, and entering her room
fell upon the sofa and gave vent TO her lacerated
feelings In paroxysm OF tears, and thus We
ind her al The beginning OF this story.
Her efforts 10 subdue her emotion and control
her anguish were vain. She eudeayOred 10 PEN
citrate the future, but could obtain no hope OF
restitution. II there be no brighter days for
me-" she said aloud, e" must suffer on in
" giant unto me faith TO know and fully under
STAND that this Is permitted for the best"
Going 10 the window, she saw the moon shin
ing 10 brilliant radiance. Nature, sweety and
TRANQUILITY sleeping under her beams of silver
covering, was d scene which brought quiet to
her troubled heart. Throwing light shawl
about her, she silently stole down 10 The ga e,
and as lar as Tie Vision could extend she behed
" a world peacefully resting upon the bosom of
its God" How long she stood there she was not
conscious, until the rattle Of wheels startled her
from gloomy reverie. She saw buggy rapidly
approaching, and ere she could draw back with
in The shadow OF the tees the horses STOPPED, a
head was thrust out and a KIND, gentlemaniy
voice called softly: Wont you take a ride with
me?" What spirit OF evil could send this person
here at this hour?
Liliy at once recognized iu him the polished
and elegant Francis billiard, to whom she had
only a few days previous been introduced. At
any other time she would have treated such
proposal with all The contumely 1t deserved but
IN her present frame Of mind she hailed with a
wild delight any proposition That promised
pleasure. Size heslIa ed, thinking that accedng
to such an offer would create most scandslOus
and vest gossip, but alas, that IL was but mo-
meni2Iy. The recollection of all she endured,
the disappoiptments met, caused the more pTu-
dent nature 10 yield. Closely drawing her shawl
abaHt her, she quickly opened the gate and was
Fn1rTledly assisted mo the buggy. Soon she was
Hhililg down the smooth. slopiug road at a
rapid pace, which kept perfect time 10 the
Wild beating of her heart. Her companion,
was visiting 10 the vicinity an old school chum,
from whom he had been separated short num-
Der OF years. Here IL was she had met him. In
nOeent OF the worlds pollution, she thought a
brilliant exterior was truly indicative OF heart
sincere and genuine. billiard was I fine CONVEX
satlonalist, fascinating in manner and the EN-
bOdlment OF elegance and extreme pOliteness
With these equipments he was just the warrior to
capture The affection OF pure, innocent and un-
sophisticated girl. billiard admired the cOyness
and rare beauty Of Miss Clayton, and from his
friend learned the sad history OF her unhappy
life.
As he was passing he saw her standing In the
moonlight her attitude telling OF misery and de-
preston. Now" he whispered, sis the time 10
make Impressions that will be indelible." And
only a moment later she was seated all tTemu-
lOus by his side, while he was most cOolly and
calmly plotting her destruction.
"Mlss Clayton" the voice was full OF COM
passion, from The traces of tears upon your
cheeks know yon are troubled. VIII you not
confde IN me? Your sweet face Is too lovely for
aught but smile to nipple upon It. Ouly trust
me and l VIII be true 10 YOU
de had gained his polut and he knew IL. Un-
used TO kind words, her confidence was won by
bis assumed tenderness. and without hesitation
she frankly told him her llfe all Its phases and
variations; of her seclusiOn from society, OF her
fathers cruelty and The darkness that hung
around the future.
II Lilly Clayton could have seen the expression
OF her companions face; II she had only known
that lie, TO whom she was confding so uIucI ha d
broken many hearts; If she had know that DIE
haTd's breath was typhoid, his touch DEATH she
would have shrunk from him as from cobra. IL
she mad SHOWN The uncertainty and greatness
OF tue minute word 90 II " has proved the simeon
OF many careers. II she had known. But Proyi-
Qeuce would not nave II so.
billiard told her his heart ached for her in her
distress, and bis sympathy was more than tongue
could express.
miss Clayton" he continued, " must speak
TO you now The true state of my heart. love
you. Consent TO be mine and will render your
life free from even passing shadow"
Lilly Clayton's eyes were brilliant now as size
listened to her companions fair words. Here
was most unexpected opportunity 10 become
one among the napDiest. Francis Dilliard' 5
vile would be free from all jars aud dlscords.
Yes. 10 be his wife, her life would be one OF bliss
unallOyed and harmony eternal Poor GIRL TO
know 30 little Of the worlds duplcity and ma
heious tTeachery. As he eloquenty urged his
suit, and with moisteued eyes besougnt her TO
wed him, she consented To become his bride, to
leave all for his home, which, 10 her yelled
vision, was the contamination OF joyous hope,
Mr.. Clayton was in a terrible rage He called
Lilly repeatedly and, receiving no response,
went 10 her room, tnding 1t empty aud In dis
order. Upon the table was a note, which ran:
''Dedr Father: Ii is impossible for me to
longer endure the mono ony OF this lonely place.
have gone with the man love better than lie.
With him shall be unfettered aud happy DO
not think OF ME harshly, but ever remember me
as your child. Lilly"