Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-03-07
SHATTERED IDOLS:
A Harsh and Cruel Transition
from Romance to Reality.

My poor Leila is there nothing | can do
fr youW asked Margaret Hammond, pity
ugly, as she bent over her sick friend
Both girls were young, but in all other
respects no stronger contrast could be I'M
agined
Leila Norton was a frail little creature,
with fluffy yellow hair, fair complexion
aud baby-bIue eyes. Nature seemed 10 have
designed her 10 pose as the type OF those
women whose clingng dependence is so al
uring to the protecting tenderness Of many
men.
Margaret Hammond, on the contrary had
a quick, decided way Of mOying and speak
ing, which Indicated independence Of char
acter and opinions Of her own. Her clear
gray eyes showed intellect and soul, while
they served 10 make interesting rather
pain face. She was tall and slender, but
not graceful, and her chief beauty was a
mass Of way, dark brown hair.
She was paying visit TO Leila, when the
latter became seriously i'll, and Margaret at
once installed herself as chief nurse.
"Tell me-" she repeated, "is there moth
ing can do for youi'
Lcis,urned towards her with eyes like
dewy forget-me-nOts.
"Oh," she sobbed, "if you would only
write 10 John"
Certainly, and what shall sayl"
"Oh, ] don't know. Say am sick and ]
send my love II Is such pity you don't
know John He is 80 nice"
Margaret smiled and said: al believe
girls usually admire their own lovers, but
what do you mean by 'nice't Tell me
some Of his characteristic traits.p
Leila puuted "Hc Is not characters
tc at all. He is just lovely and he says
the sweetest things about me-
"Of course, but | know about you, and
what am trying to find out is about him
"And am trying TO tell you, but you
won't let me. dou't know how TO describe
nm, nnd--yesl He is characteristic in
ono thing, for he will not have his picture
,aken, so have none to show you"
Never mind, ] have already painted him
to suit myself and now | am ready to
write If you will dictate the letter"
ION, make IL a note, and you know what
to saw" ----
30 nlargaret wrote as follows;
my DEAR Mr. LEssING; My friend, Miss
Norton has requested me to inform you of
pleasure Of writing to you We hope She VIII
be better In u few days, when she viii speak
tor herself aud express o you, more eloquent
ly than can, tho love winch she wishes me 10
send. merely your friends fr end,
"MAHGARET HAMNOED."
This note was received by Mr.. Lcssing in
! Western city, aud the return mail brought
Leila letter overlowing with sympathy
and love. He sent kind regards to Miss
Hammond, aud begged that she would be
his friend also, and write 10 him daily dur
ing Miss Norton's illness
Quite Il correspondence followed, for the
air invalid was sure John" would be un-
luppy il he did not know the details OF each
,ay' - couynlesccnce, but IN the course OF Al
week. or two her health was fully restored,
md after AN nlectunate farewell, Margaret
returned To her own home.
How many changes take place In ten
Years Not only those caused by death, but
he inevitable changes of life. Youth Is
transformed into M tuuty, and how many
4 its loves and friendships are discarded rs
Iutgruwu garments,
But the friendship Of Margaret aud Leila
las w,thstood the test OF time, though the
owe Of Leila and John has long been dream
Il the past
LviN.s heart now thrills with other hopes
lnd she is soon To be happy bride. She is
making "a visit to Margaret the last one be-
toro her marriage. Sho is but Little changed,
las stlll the same winning, chlldlkc face
and figure.
Margaret has become thinner, a few
threads of gruy plrum through her beauu,
lol hair aud her manner with strangers has
81 touch Of rrlmrss She has many friends,
lut Is sim unmarried,
Lola" SAID She one day, 'what became
I joan Lessue"
o / hoheNu he went farther West How
l.t 4 NOT
.hought Of him for years, and we were once
,a deyu,nd to eacu other He used TO sing
nc such pretty song about Thine eyes
% blue aud touder,' One verse was some
.ung like this;
Ihy IpsA'e li' Q the roses
Uldcr un azure SRy,
Allur,d by hv,r marvellous sweetness
lluw can pass lhcm by'
and Just there he always kissed me, Poor
fellow hc felt dreadful when | broke the
,agugrmrnt He said he could never love
iygin. but here comes the postman. ! won.
ivr II he has a letter Tor me from Clar-
once"
There proved 10 be one, and Leila was
soon 30 absorbed Ia II that she did not notice
Margaret was also reading u letter
Presently Lola hooked up, with a smile of
satisfied vanity, aud started with surprise
'N NtN sac NNltNhNiNH Nl M"A b@l't = laAN'
"Nbnt Is ltt' she asked.
"li.teu," said Margaret; this letter is
'rom john Lessuyl'
'.N phAR Miss liANNoNp; Pardon the no,
'r,y ! tEkU iu addressing yvu, out oacc yVu
,vt,d thp paW - 81 t..,nd 60 me and copNlncej
me- THAI you have warm heart
"l1 ou uol rcmeu,pv, tA.g about ten year,
lgo YOU wrote nv a uum m,yr OF bright letters
vl Naur ,uvni, Mlss \ rtyni
"NDu aud sho >ser1 evat frlcuds ~ those
iays. a dlh.Nc often osdc,pA WhA' has p.,
our 40 you, WA you not pe GlHd o. mc "a an
,.l vr, vf have heard No uvws lrOm l,astvru
lto.ds Tor souv yvarA
Ha N,rM ypafs ago I marred, and had
iallS h0mc uat twu yvaFs ASA when my vile
i.vt 1 have unv Little sfl
n have addrvssvd you py your maiden name,
hough am uncertain Nhetheryou stlll ocar n,
"a prompt rrply Sill srvatly oplisc
"NOFN ..r~