Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-04-23
IN SPITE OF HERSELF.


Lola Atherton had lived for five wears
IN the pretty New England village of Lin.
1enville. At first she had been the un-
noticed occupant Of an attic room which
rhe dignifed by the name of studio; for
Lola was hard working artist Success
attended her efforts, and she was now
mistress of pleasant apartsments in a
neat vine covered cottage.
Here she sat one bright summer m orn-
Ing with her kind landlady, Mrs Marsh,
listening to her lawyers words.
81 am instructed to inform you," ho
aid, that with your deceased grand
3ire's fortune you are also required to as
.nine the name of Clifford"
MY mothers maiden name, returned
Lola.
Yes, said the lawyer. All the neces.
sary papers are at my office, awaiting
Your signature, and l would like you to
call as soon as convenient"
So saying he bowed himself out.
Il am so glad for you, dear!" cried Mrs.
Marsh. mo more tiresome art teaching;
yo,, are a rich woman"
Yes, replied the girl, thoughtfuIly.
But you might have been that before
if you had been less stubborn-if NAV
Gav so, Lola.
The young woman started and flushed.
Il have done only what any girl with
particle OF spirit would have done"
lie answered. Il have never given YOU
the entire history of my troubles. but
will do so now. Grandfather Clifford
WIS wealthy, but he lsinherited mother
because she persisted in marrying the
man of her choice. | can scarcely re-
member father, so young was l when he
died. We were very poor, mother and
what did that matter SO long as we had
oach other? But there came one terri
ble day when they told me she was dy-
ing. Poor mother! was only 16, and
she thought she acted for the best when
she insisted on my marriage with Paul
Thornton, whom 1 had never met be-
FORE"
Never met before?" echoed Mrs.
Marsh, in amazement.
No." replied Lola. "Our mothers
were schoolmates and the most romantic
of friends. They made an agreement
that in after years the first son of one
should marry the first daughter of tho
other. When mothers fatal illness
seized her Paul was allowed to see me
without my knowledge, and had the
grace to fail in love at once"
She spoke the last words bitterly.
And you could not return his affec.
ton, Lola?"
II did not try, " she answered indig.
nantly. II had never been wooed, SC
why should I be won? was forced
upon him that might have the protec-
tion of rich husband. After mother
died l told Paul Thornton that would
have neither his money nor his protec.
ton, and left him."
Yet he has placed his wealth at your
disposal and has never annoyed you in
any way. He must be noble man."
Lola colored uneasily.
And l have never touched cent OF
it," she retorted. at would not have
been right"
ut is very sad story" said the sweet.
faced lady. "But there are happy DAYS
i'll store for you; this unexpected legacy
will bring rest after years of hard work
and loneliness. You will have an abun.
dance of pleasure and many visitors, for
you are rich and-I hope you will not
consider it flattery from your old friend
when l add-very beautiful
Mrs. Marsh's words were prophetic OF
Lola Clifford's changed life. In all tho
bright, happy summer days that followed
she did not allow the remembrance OF
the wretched tie that restrained her free.
dom to trouble her until she met Gerald
Winthrop.
She saw him first at Newport. He was
handsome young man, with well pro.
portioned figure. His eyes We're deer
gray, honest, penetrating, and capable oj
showing mirth and rare gentlencss
As Lola was strollins down the beach
one lovely morning, she met him face to
face, and looking into his eyes realized
tnnt she loved this man with love that
would not be controlled.
Mr.. Winthrop is becoming very marked
in his attentions to you, my dear, said
Mrs. Marsh, who had accompanied hc1
young friend az cI,nprrona, VT |
were you | would not permit 1t. You
know very little about him: he may not
he your equal; besides, dear Lola. yon
must not forget that you are bound Ia
another"
"i''It | will not be bound any longer:
will be frce." cried the excited girl.
"Gerald Winthrop is my superior j,
every thing but wealth. On. how | han
myself wien think of my silua,inu!'
Will yon tell him Of"
the whole miserable story at tho