Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-06-06
RETRIBUTlON.
By MARGARET LYNN.

i'i -h-NiS1AiEE-l LINN
At the window of neat cottage, in a
pretty but simple country village, stood
a girl with bright, hopeful face, if not
a beautiful one.
She had a fine head, crowned with a
wealth of rich brown hair, but it was put
simply back, in heavy loop behind,
guiltless Of bangs, frjzzes or puffs, and
her ,Sress, though perfectly neat and
ladyIke, made not the slightest pre-
tension to style.
There was not particle of city "style"
anywhere about her-she looked like
what she was, modest, pure, country
blossom, a wildwood rose, which had
not 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 a 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 a few mo-
ments.
Her lover, Stephen Foster, who had
gone to the city to seek his fortune, was
coming to visit hor, 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 90,
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 MIN. 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
come! 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 struc-
giles for n high position, and of his trl-
umphs, and his hopes and intentions for
the brilliant future before HIM.
And with every word Jeannette's heart
sank lower. These were heights which
she wos never fitted, either by nature or
education, to reach. With eager, ques-
tioning heart, she sought, in her turn, to
read the deepest recesseS of his nature,
and the truth was borne into her very
soul. Stephen, too, felt that she was no
Longer mate for him.
She had felt his neglect more than
once Of late, but tried TO believe that it
was only her fancy. Now she knew it
was not fancy She saw the bitter truth.
Honor held him-he mad come to fulfill
the letter OF all his pledges, but the
heart had gone ont of them, long ago.
They were irhsomc 20 him, and he would
regard her not as Il helper to his bright
future, but as 4 clog upon his footsteps
Poor, loving girl. She had given him
her whole heart, her deep, undivided
love. and this blow was cruel shock.
1t well-nigh killed her, but she was a
proud, brave girl, as we'll as a loving, gen
tie one. She resolved not to act too
hastily. She did not give one hint of
her purpose to Stephen, but when he had
gone, she sunk upon the window-seat,
buried her head in her arms upon the
table, and wept such tears as youth weeps
but once.
But when she had sobbed out her
heartbreak, she was stronger.
Il have decided what to do, !" she said.
81 will give him his freedom. If he
does not accept it,"-ah, that one
last hope that she chung to!-''then 1
may be happy. But if he does-oh, I
aEoufd rather he would. thousand times.