Smyrna times., 1892-02-24
READS LIKE FICTION.

READS LIKE FICTION.
Lola AthertOn had lived for FIVE
years in the village of Lindenville. At
first she had been the unnoticed occu-
pant of an attic room which she digni-
fed by the name of studio for Lola
was hard working artist. Success
attended her efforts, and she was now
mistress of pleasan, apartments in a
neat vine covered cottage.
Here she sat one bright summer
morning. with her kind landladv, Mrs.
Marsh listening to her lawyers words.
Il am instructed to inform you" he
said, that with your deceased grand
fathers fortune you are also required to
assume the name of Clifford. "
MY mothers maiden name," re-
turned Lola.
Yes" said the lawyer. "All the
necessary papers are at my Office
awaiting Your signature, and ] would
like you to call as soon as conven-
lent"
SO saying he bowed himself out.
Il am so glad for you dear :" cried
Mrs Marsh. No more tiresome art
teaching: you are a rich woman"
Yes" replied the girl, thought
fully.
But you might have been that be-
fore if you had been less stubborn-if
l may say so, Lola
The young woman started and
flushed.
Il have only what any girl with
particle of spirit would have done"
she answered. 81 have never given
you the entire history of my troubles
but | will do so now. Grandfather
Clifford was wealthy, but he dsinheri-
ted mother because she persisted in
marrying the man of her choice. |
can scarcely remember father. SO
young was l when he died. We were
very poor, mother and / what did
that matter 50 long as we had each
other? But there came one terrible
day when they told me she was diving.
Poor mother! l was only l6, and she
thought she acted for the best when
she insisted on my marriage with Paul
Thornton, whom l had never met
before"
Never met before? echoed Mrs.
Marsh, in amazement.
NO" replied Lola. "Our mothers
were schOOlmates and the most roman
tic of friends. They made an agree
ment that in after years the first son
of one should marry the first daughter
of the other. When mothers fatal
illness seized her Paul was allowed
to see me without my knowledge. and |
had the grace to fall in love at once" /
a ha In or L., l.
And you could not return his affec.
ton, Lola ?"
II did not try" she answered indig-
nantly. Il had never been wooed so
why should be won? | was forced
upOn him that might have the pro-
lection of a rich husband. After /
mother died l told Paul Thornton
that l would have neither his money
nor his protection and left him."
Yet he has placed his wealth at
your disposal and has never annoyed
you in any way. He must be a noble
man."
LOlo cOlOred uneasily.
And have never touched cent of |
it," she retOrted. 1t would not have
been right"
1T is very sad story" said the |
sweetfaced lady. But there are
happy days in store for you; this un-
expected legacy will bring rest after |
years of hard work and loneliness. |
You will have an Oundance of pleas |
ure and many visitors, for you are rich |
and hope you will not think it fat |
terry when | add-very beautiful"
Mrs. Marsh's words were prophetic |
of Lola ClitlOrd's changed life. In all |
the bright, happy summer days that
followed she did not allow the remem-
brance of the wretched tie that res
trained her freedom to trouble her |
until she met Gerald Winthrop.
She saw him first at Newport. He |
was handsome young man, with a |
well prOpOrtioned figure. His eyes
were deep gray, honest, penetrating. |
and capable of showing mirth and rare |
gentleness.
beach, one lovely morning she met |
him faca to face, and looking into his |
eyes realized that she loved this man |
with love that would not be con
trOlled
"Mr. Winthrop is becoming very |
much marked in his attentions to you, |
my dear said Mrs. Marsh, who ac-
cOmpanied her young friend as a chap
eron. "lf were you | would not per-
NIT it You know very little about
him he may not be your equal be-
sides, dear Lola, you must not forget
that you are bound to another,
"But will not be bound any longer;
| will be free !" cried the excited girl. |
"Gerald Winthrop is my superior in
anything but wealth. Oh, how l
hate myself when think of my situa-
ton"
"Will you tell him Of"
THE whole miserable story at the
proper time," interrupted Lola, decid-
eddy.
The proper time came sOon-much
sooner than Lola meant it should, for
she never intended to listen to words
of love until she could obtain legal
separation from her husband.
She game down to the shore as usual
one beautiful evening in the early
twilight, ostensibly to enjoy the fresh
sea breeze, manifestly to meet Gerald
Winthrop.
He came forward to meet her with
the light in his handsome face which
always made the girls heart beat fas-
ter.
How lovely she was Gerald noted
every turn of the golden head, every
movement of the graceful form. She
wore a dress Of white cashmere, with
Oorsage bouquet of forget me -nots.
He drew her hand on his arm and
silently led her beyond the scattered
groups of people on the sand. They
chatted on indifferent matters for a
time, then Winthrop suddenly said
II heard an odd story to-day, Miss
Clifford may I tell it to you? ?"
Certainly" she returned brightly,
us it tragedyP Your face betOkens
one"
almost that, for it tells of of a mans
hlighted hopea. What he most covets