Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-02-24

anu IN TIC KrONAll tAfttT .lI(nt tho
woods and meadows stretched softly
away, showing dimlv through glo-
rious mist that slowly faded into dus,s.
They heard the last GOODNIGHT of the
birds and felt the firSt cool sigh Of
night before the lattice was closed IL
was thea that Lucy sid n silcot fa-c-
well To earthly things. T',e quiet night
passed away in peace; the sun rose and
the village awoise 10 It's daily labor. but
the jcsSa,ainc blossoms lay upon n
pulseless heart. and on the still face
there was an ideal beauty. faint smile
of unutterable peace.
Long afterwards Olive was glad that
she had watched by the side Of her dead
friends glad that She had woven n chap
let of feathery ferns and jessaminc for
Lucy's last resting-place There arc
times when 10 each one of US comes the
thought Of those who have taught Us
by their words and deeds; and we find
their traces in other lives. ard light
upon their footprints in strange paths
which we never expected TO tread
They laid Lucy in the breezy old
churchyard under the high hill. among
the graves which Olive had known from
childhood: but IL was not here. in this
quiet nook. that the clear echoes OF
Lucy's voice would come to her from
the past.
After her niece's death Mrs. Hooper
pinned for companionship, and dreaded
the long winter spcn. in the little cot
tage alone. She begged Olive 10 stay
with her till the spring came again;
and. ia truth. the girl was too tired AID
worn to begin new life ut once. But
she wrote TO Mr.. Wake, and wrote also
TO the ;lorist in Regent street who had
employed Lucy, inclosing letter of
recon- 1endation which had been writ
ten by Lucy herself. The answers TO
these letters were more satisfactory
than ihe had expected them TO be.
Samuel Wake was a man who never did
things by halves; he was ready not only
20 receive Olive, but 20 give her hearty
welcome. And the florist wrote 20 say
that hc was willing % let her come and
try her skin. adding that he had never
had an employee SO clever as Miss Cromer.
So the way was made clear for olives
feet; but before she venturcd out into
the new path it was well for her TO
pause aud rest.
IL was a stormy autumn; the last red
tattcrs OF the Virginia crccper were torn
russell leaves were left for Olive TO
weave into garlands; but there was al
ways plenty of ivy for her quick fingers
10 practice upon. And then, too. there
was other work TO be done: in the long
evenings Mrs. Hooper and Olive sat and
sewed together. and grew fond OF each
other in their loneliness. The wind
moaned and whistled round their little
dwelling; by and by the snow fell. and
they felt themselves cut off altogether
from the great world. But these dreary
days passed away, and Olive woke one
morning TO find that the wintry earth
was full of promise Of spring.
Michael was looking forward eagerly
TO her coming. His letters spoke OF the
glorious future that was opening out be-
fore them both. As usual, he had a
great deal To say about himself, and not
one word Of Aaron, although poor Jane
was hungering for news.
aaron has not written 10 me for IA
long time said Jane, with tears in her
eyes. ooh, Olive, shall be glad now
when you are gone 70 London. You viii
sec him. and ask him why he neglccts
old friends"
''You shall know everything. Jane,'
Olive answered. only keep "A brave
heart, dear. don't think Aaron will
be reserved with me. The sight Of an
Eastmeon face will thaw the ice that
has gathered round his heart"
God grant il may he sol" Jane
sighed but ] have thought lately
that my old dream would never come
true. | have thought that perhaps
was not meant for Aaron, nor Aaron
for mo Maybe ! should not make
him happy II we were married; ] am
easily depressed, and should feel just
as he felt; all his moods would be
mine"
j. Olive was silent for moment.
Through all her anxiety 70 insure james
happiness. there had sometimes flashed
such thoughts as these stronger,
more sclf-conident woman might have
led Aaron out of his gloom by the force
OF her viii. But Jane, gentle and tim
orous. could only sit beside HIM in the
shadow Of bis own fears. And yet how
well she loved him. How impossible IL
seemed for her 20 go on living without
him.
1--WE must have patience, Jane" she
said at last, in her sweet voice II
suppose" she added, with sudden
smile. that you never give thought
20 your first lover? You have quite
forgotten Robert Stcclc?"
Robert Stcele.'' JAMES tone was al
most scornful. ale was only boy.
Olive"
''lle was boy when he went away,
four years ago. But II you could see
him now. Jane, you might have more
respect for him. There was the maxi
ing Of fine man in Robert"
Gle was bright lad enough" Jane
said indiferently. "But who would
think twice 81 a lads fancyP u comes
and goes like "a butterfly. Aaron is the
only man / have ever taken into my
heart, Olive, and thouRht-aye, be-
heUod-that he loved me-"
believe IL STILL" olive replied "At
any rate. believe it till have seen him
and talked with him"
All olives simple arrangements were
completed before April came 60 an end.
and IL was decided that she was 60 70
up % town on the first Of May. Mi
d