Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-01-15


Polly Blainrs
Polly was concrited and Liza hyper
sensitive, scented patronage
81 amt going to tell YER she said.
Then, with swift contradiction. Ibis first
name was Charlie
"WaS he handsome?" asked Polly. pinch.
ing her neiShbor under the table, so that
the latter, wyh colored, coarse looking
girl, gave little squeak
III never see anybody better looking"
piid Liza with promptitude He wasn't
my of your pink, dolly men," (Pollys
favored sutton happened to be fair) "He
was dark, and his nose was straight, like
gentleman's, and his teeth was white and"
Liza warmed to her subject-"and he
used to wear red silk tie with pin in it.
And" she went on, "he always gave me
lots of presents-lots-and he loved me so
rs he couldn't bear me ont of his sight.
Oh" she cried excitedly. "he did love me,
and we was so happy, keepin company, and
he was a-goin to marry me- She paused
abruptly. Indeed, her shrll voice had got
almost beyond her control
"What did he die OFF" asked one of the
girls, with genuine compassion in her
tones.
Indeed, from that day began new era
for Liza. Whether it was that Miss Cal
lender singled her ont for special attention.
or because they were really capable of a
lasting impression themselves, it is impos-
sible to say, but it is certain that she was
differently treated by the other women
and equally certain that this treatment
had II sllutary effect upon her. Repellant
Mt first, she grew daily more approaChable.
less suspicious, more gracious, and her
better qualities came into play. Perhaps
the influence of Miss Calender had not a
little to do with this, for from the begin
ming Liza had loved her, and now her
feeling was little less than worship. And
to love another is so good for woman's
soul that it works like magic on her whole
being. 1t made possible to Liza the com
prehenson of love higher than Miss Cal
lenders. and the little London heather,
being taught by her dear lady concerning
those things of which she had been ignor
ant hitherto, became what the girls called
I religious"
Toward the end of the summer, she con-
scented to be confirmed, and went to classes,
and this seemed to the others to make Liza
more important, especially when she ex-
planned that "there was ladies' at the
classes"
Liza was nearer being happy now than
she had ever been in her life. and yet she
seemed Sadlpr too Often she heaved great
signs that made her neighbor turn and look
at her, and frequently there were marks of
tears on her face, so that by and by it grew
evident to the others that there was some
thing weighing upon her
One day the little married woman, who
had developed IA sort of friendship for her
ventured to ask if anything was the mat,
ter with her.
~ can't help seein AS you amt quite
yourself. Liza" she said. you amt in no
sort o trouble, are yer?"
Liza shook her head.
Zoos if there's any way of helping yer,
Liza it amt much us could do, but
what | can | will, yer know. Might it be
as yer've quarreled with some one, or is it
yer rint, now?-or perhaps maybe"-color-
ing, in doubt us to how Liza would take
it, maybe you're caring for some one
agin, which we can't help our feelings"
Liza shook her head.
at amt nothnk O that, Mrs. Jones'"
she said.
at wouldn't he religion, as is depressin
you, | hopey' said Mrs. Jones, with Us much
severity rs she was capable of. at do take
some people like that, which there was /,
young man our way as came nigh goin off
his head, but that amt material 1t ought
to make US Apply. My Jim, he's sort o re-
ligiouS hSself which he pays great rspeck
to Sundays, and always washes hiSsef, and
Pm sure brighter man you couldn't see"
at isn't religion" said Liza, and yet
it is Everything gets sort o. turned up
side down when one looks at things that
way. and all what seemed natural once
seems wrong now. It's interestin seein
how things twist around, but it's sad too
it's diSturbin. There's past things I'd wish
different now"
"Praps you could undo 'em," suggested
Mrs. Jones, who was emnently practical.
Anyway. God knows, don't he. if you re
sorry?"
Liza sighed.
81 s'pose," she said, with apparent ir
relevance, lone didn't ought to care if one
was loved or not; and there amt no doubt
as pride is my besettin'
Mrs. Jones shook her head meditatively
She was afraid religion was upsettin
Liza" she told her husband that night.
AS the time for her confirmation drew
near Liza looked graver than ever and
more worried. At last it came to the day
itself. She had obtained holiday from the
laundry through the influence of Miss Cal
lender. What was the surprise of that lady
and the others therefore when in the midst
of the midday meal in rushed Liza! She
had on "a clean print dress made for the oc
casion, but her hair was disordered, her
face pale from fatigue and excitement, her
eyes shone brightly.
"Hullo," exclaimed the girls in breath
my. aint she Il swell" They thought she
had come to show off her dress.
Eliza" said Miss Calender, what dc
you want' You will be late for your con
firmation."
"Oh, miss" gasped Liza, almost breath
less, as she was, 81 had to come. I've tried
and tried to say it, and | never could, and
at first it seemed a white one, but lately
it's come atween me and God; and I've
thought on it at night in bed. and when any
of you has been kind to me, it ha' cut me
like knife; and, oh, miss. when you've
spoken of him, I've been a-near fallin' down
and explaining to yer, but somethin held
me back. And told God, but he seemed
to say it wasn't any use my just tellin, un
less undid it. Oh, please, all of you
don't care now what you think of me, or il
you despise mel can't go to church unfit