The Irish standard., 1892-02-13


pain of parting
She remembered that Jane had
gathered that bunch of dark velvet
pansies, and the girls words, spoken
with little sigh. came back to her al
this moment:
'.You have all the luck. Olive. ! !
don't know why Michael Chase should
have passed over us and chosen you, rs
father says. You won't be working
long for yourself; Michael win get on
and marry you out Of hand and set You
up like lady Some women get the
crumb and others the crust"
Yes, it was strange indeed that she
should be so fortunate. Michae! had
never shown the slightest preference
for any other girl in Eastmeon, and
when his choice was made he was per-
fectly constant. Olives stepfather had
been heard to say openly that ne
wished Michael Chase had taken q
fancy to Peggy or Jane, and Mrs Chal-
lock had been seen to smile with Ill
suppressed triumph. And now Olive
was drawing nearer and nearer to this
wonderful hero Of hers and she scarce
ly dared to lift her eyes from the
flowers, so overpowering was the Sense
of JOY.
But when the train came slowly into
the station she looked up with sudden
feeling of he|plessness and fright II
he was not here-if by any accident he
had been prevented from coming
what would be the fate of the ignorant
country girl? How could she summon
courage enough to get into a cab and
be taken all alone through bewildering
streets to her destination? Hcr fellow
passengers got out Of the carriage with
all speed; the rosy young woman with
the baby gave her a parting smile. and
Olive saw her greeted by sturdy
artisan who took the baby into his
own keeping. Then she, too, got out,
last of al, and stood disconsolately On
the platform, ready to burst into tears
"Olive." said well-known voice.
He was close to her and yet she had
not seen his approach. Trembling,
ti1nid, happy beyond expression, she
laid her hand on his arm in mute well
come, and lifted her sweet face to his.
But he gave her no answering glance;
with "a hesitation that lasted perhaps
half Il second, he touched her forehead
lightly with his lips; and Olive felt that
she had made her first mistake in show
ing, too openly, her delight at seeing
him
II was a little late,'' he said, rather
stiffly. land now I must look after
your box Stand here, Olive, auo I will
come back to you in a minute"
He went, and she stood motionless as
a statue, chilled to the very soul.
hopeless feeling of inferiority possessed
her; a feeling that Was new and strange
and agonizing He was SO well dressed
and fine and she was such a poor l1r1s
pulsive little rustic, that it seemed inn
possible for her ever to be lifted to the
height that he had gained.
A woman who is crushed does not
generally look her best and Olives de-
preston told upon her beauty When
Michael had claimed the box he came
him that the forlorn girl, standing droop-
ing on the platform, was not as pretty
D., the Olive he had left at Eastlneon IL
year ago Her face looked worn and
tagged; her eyes large and weary; and
there was % RIGHTEOUSNESS about her
lips which would have touched Il tender
heart. But a man who is steadily de-
voted to self-interest is seldom tender.
Michael had a great deal to think of. he
was rising rapidly in the world, and he
did not want his betrothed to oe clog
to him. And there was something ia
her shabbiness and forlornness that ir-
ritated him inste;eA of awakening q
spirit of sympathy and protection. II
you have to climb, you cannot spend
time and strength in sympathising and
protecting He hoped that Olive was
not going to be helpless, and he was
ashamed of the countritied bonnet and
scanty gown.
Come and get into cab" he said,
briszly. "rhe Wakes will give you
something to eat; dare say you are
hungry and tired; and yet it wasn't
long Journey You are not growing
delicate, hope. Oliver
Fancy rising man hampered with a
siclsly wife! The very idea was intoi-
cradle But Olives answer treasured
him; she had taken her FIRST lesson in
the art of self-control, and she now
spoke calmly:
mo, Michael. have rot had a days
illness since you saw ME last"
''That's right" he said, in a tone OF
relief, as he helped her to seat herself
in the cab and took his place by her
side.
A hundred times she had pictured this
first drive with him through the UNI
known streets OF London. Always it
had been strange and bewildering, yet
bright with the sunshine of wonder
ful happiness. But now the time had
really come, with all the strangeness
and ali the bewilderment; but the hap
piness-why was that wanting? Was
this carefully-dressed young man In
deed Michael? And this tired girl sit
ting silently by his side, could she be
the sunny confident Olive of old times?
Surely no.
Poor Olive had, until now, seen her.
self under only one aspect. She had
not realized that it is the lot of most