Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1892-03-10

often hower-links, fragile and sweet,
yet strong as chain Of steel, and last
ing upbroken through all the chances
and changes Of time.
"You must never think sorrowfully
of me, Olive" Lucy went on. 81 have
read somewhere Of one who CLEANED In
haste and snatched all the richest
grain. Here, in this quiet village, I
have gathered all the blessings that
missed when lived in the world. In
these last days have reapcd all, and !,
too, shall be gathered into the garner.
Do you not see that mine is a happy
fate2 have done nothing TO deserve
these royal compositions, these outpour-
ings OF Fathers loving kindness, and
yet they are mine"
and In the growing amber light the
woods and meadows stretched softly
away, showing dimly through glo-
rious mist that slowly faded into dusk.
They heard the last goodnight Of the
birds and felt the first cool sigh Of
night before the lattice was closed. II
was then that Lucy said a silent fare.
well TO earthly things. The quiet night
passed away in peace; the sun rose and
the village awole TO its daily labor, but
the jessamine blossoms lay upon a
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
friend; glad that she had woven chap
let of feathery ferns and jesssmine for
Lucy's last resting-place. There are
times when TO 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, and 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 it was not here, in this
quiet nook, that the clear echoes OF
Lucy's voice would come to her from
the past.
After her nicce's death Mrs. Hooper
pinned for companionship, and dreaded
the long winter spent in the little cot
tage alone. She begged Olive to stay
with her till the spring came again;
and, in truth, the girl was too tired and
worn to begin a new life at once. But
she wrote to Mr.. Wake, and wrote also
to the florist in Regent street who had
employed Lucy, inclosing a letter of
recommendation which had been writ
ten by Lucy herself. The answers to
these letters were more satisfactory
than she had expected them to be.
Samuel Wake was a man who never did
things by halves; he was ready not only
70 receive Olive, but to give her hearty
welcome. And the florist wrote to say
that he was willing to let her come and
try her skill, 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 ventured out into
the new path it was well for her to
pause and rest.
1t was stormy autumn; the last red
tattcrs of the Virginia creeper were torn
from the cottage walls, and no gold and
russell leaves were left for Olive to
weave into garlands; but there was al
ways plenty of ivy for her quick fingers
to 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
mosned and whistled round their little
dwellissY-gsnd by the snow fell and
days pan nselves cut off altoeethe,
4 t world. But these cary
away, and Olive wok, ovN
nIornIng 10 fn,d rnaI- the wintry t..;A
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 to me for a
long time" said Jane, with tears in her
eyes. "Oh, Olive, shall be glad now
when you are gone to London. You will
see him, and ask him why he neglects
old friends"
''You shall know everything, Jane"
Olive answered. "Only keep 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 it may be sol" Jane
sighed. But l have thought lately
that my old dream would never come
true. have thought that perhaps !
was not meant for Aaron, nor Aaron
for me. Maybe / should not make
him happy if we were married; am
easily depressed, and should feel just
as he felt; all his moods would be
mine"
Olive was silent for moment.
Through all her anxiety to insure James
happiness, there had sometimes flashed
such thoughts as these. A stronger,
more self-confident woman might have
led Aaron out of his gloom by the force
of her will. But Jane, gentle and tim
orous, could only sit beside him in the
shadow of his own fears. And yet how
seemed for her to go on living without
him.
I'VE must have patience, Jane" she
said at last, in her sweet voice. II
suppose" she added, with sudden
smile, that you never give thought
to your first lover? You have quite
forgotten Robert Steele?"
Robert Steele" James tone was al
most scornful. "IIe was only boy,
Olive"
''IIe woe y 'av w.t. 7wav,