The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1892-05-06
with . little sigh. came back 10 her -
this moment:

don't know why Michael Chase should
have passed over us and chosen you, as
father says. You won't be working
long for yourself; Michael will get on
and marry you ont of hand and set you
up like n lady. Some women get the
crumb and others the crust"
Yes, IL was strange indeed that she
should be so fortunate. Michael had
never shown the slightest preference
for any other girl in Eastmeon, and
when his choice was made he was per-
fectly constant. Olives stcpfathcr had
been heard to say openly that he
wished Michael Chase had taken a
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 ovcrpowCring was the sense
of JOY.
But when the train camc slowly into
the station she looked up with sudden
feeling of hClpleSSncss and fright If
he was not hcrc--if by any accident he
had been prevented from coming
what would bc the fate of the ignorant
country girl? How could she summon
courage enough To get into cab and
be taken all alone through bcwildcring
streets To her destination? Her fellow
passengers got ont of the carriage with
all speed the rosy young woman with
the baby gave her II 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 all, and stood disconsolatcly on
the platform, ready to burst into tears
"Olivc," said well-known voice.
He was close to her and yet she had
not seen his approach. Trembling,
timid, 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 n hesitation that lasted perhaps
half 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.
Il was little late" he said, rather
stifly. And now l must look after
your box. Stand here, Olive, ana will
come back to you in minute"
lie went, and she stood motionlcss as
n statue, chilled to the very soul A
hopeless feeling of inferiority possessed
her: feeling that was new and strange
and agonizing. He was so we'll dressed
and fine, and she was such poor inn
pulsive little rustic, that it seemed inn
possible for her ever to be lifted to the
height that he had gained.
4 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
back to his sweetheart, and it struck
him that the forlorn girl standing droop-
ing on the platform, was not as pretty
a, the Olive he had left at Eastmeon
wear ago Her face looked worn and
tagged her eyes large and weary; and
there was a RIGHTEOUSNESS about her
lips which would have touched Il tender
heart. But man who is steadily de-
voted TO Sclf-intcrcSt is seldom tender.
Michael had great deal to think of, he
was rising rapidly in the world. and he
did not want his betrothcd to bc u clog
10 him. And there was something i'll
her shabbincss and forlornncss that ir-
ritatcd him instead of awakening a
spirit of sympathy and protection. If
Won have to climb, You cannot spend
time and strength in sympathsiug and
protecting. He hoped that Olive was
not going to be helpless, and he was
ashamed of the countrificd bonnet and
scanty gown.
Come and get into a cab" he said,
briSkly. The Wakes will give you
something to eat; dare say You are
hungry and tired; and yet it wasn't a
long journey. You are not growing
delicate, hope, Olivc?'
Fancy n rising man hampered with
sickly wife. The very idea was intol-
cradle. But Olives answer treasured
him; she had taken her first lesson in
the art Of sclf-control, and she now
spoke calmly:
mo, Michael. have not had days
illness since you saw me last"
That's right" he said, in "a tone of
relief, as he helped her to scat herself
in the cab and took his place by her
side.
A hundred times she had pictured this
first drive with him through the un-
known streets of London. Always it
had been strange and bcwildcriug, yet
bright with the sunshine of wonder
ful happiness. But now the time had
really come, with all the strangcncss
and all the bcwildcrmcnt; but the hap
pincss-why was that wanting? Was
this carcfully.dreSScd young man in
decd Michael? And this tired girl sit