Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-01-29

uC was tt-EOIu W AlC A@AS PsSN%s'S0
abruptly. Indeed, her shrill voice had got
almost beyond her control.
"What did he die OFF" asked one of the
girls. with genuine compassion in her
tones
Indeed, from that day began new era
for Liza Whether it was that Miss Cal
lender singled her out for special attention.
OF because they were really capable of 4
lasting impression themselves, it is impos-
sibie to say. but it is certain that she was
differently treated by the other women,
and equally certain that this treatment
had Il salutary effect upon her Repellant
at first, she grew daily more approachable,
less suspicious. more gracious, and her
better qualities came into play. Perhaps
the influence of Miss Calender had not
little to do with this for from the begin
ming Liza had loved her, and now her
feeling was little less than worship. And
to love another is so good for wQman's
soul that it works like magic on her whole
being. 1t made possible to Liza the com
prehension of a love higher than Miss Cal
lenders; and the little London heather,
being taught by her dear lady concerning
those things of which she Iasa been ignor
ant hitherto. became what the girls called
religious"
Toward the end of the summer, she con
sented to be confirmed, and went to classes
and this seemed to the others to make Liza
more important especially when she eN
planned that there was ladies at the
classes.'
Liza was nearer being happy now than
she had ever been in her life, and yet she
seemed sadder too. Often she heaved great
signs that made her neighbor turn and look
at her, and frequently there were marks of
tears on her face; SO that by and by it grew
evident to the others that there WAS some
thing weighing upon her.
One day the little married woman, who
had developed sort of friendship for her,
ventured to ask if anything was the mat
ter with her
81 can't help seein rs you amt quite
yourself Liza" she said. "you amt in 10
sort O. trouble, are yer?"
Liza shook her head.
"'Cos if there's any way of helping yer,
Liza, it amt much as could do, but
what can will, yer know. Might it he
as yer've quarreled with some one, or is it
yer rint, now?-or perhaps maybe"-color-
ing, in doubt as to how Liza would take
it, maybe you're caring for some one
agin, which we can't help our feelings"
Liza shook her head
at amt nothink O. that, Mrs. JONES'"
she said.
ut wouldn't be religion, as is depressin
you, hopper" said Mrs. Jones, with as much
severity as she was capable of. "lt do take
some people like that, which there was
young man our way as came nigh goin off
his head, but that amt material. It ought
to make us 'appy. Ny Jim, he's sort O. re-
ligious hisself, which he pays great rispeck
to Sundays, and always washes hisself, and
Pm sure a brighter man. you couldn't see"
SIT isn't religion" said Liza, land yet
it is. Everything gets sort O. turned up
side down when one looks at things that
way. and all what seemed natural once
seems wrong now It's interestin seein
how things twist around, but it's sad too;
it's disturbin. There's past things I'd wish
different now"
"P'raps you could undo em," suggested
Mrs. Jones, who was eminently practical
Anyway. God knows. don't he, if you re
sorry?'
Liza sighed.
81 s'pose," she said, with apparent ir.
relevance, lone didn't ought to care if one
was loved or not; and there amt no doubt
as pride is my besettinP
Mrs. Jones shook her head meditatively.
She was afraid religion was upsettin
Liza" she told her husband that night.
AS the time for her confirmation drew
near Liza looked graver than ever and
more worried At last it came to the day
itself. She had obtained holiday from the
laundry through the influence of Miss Cal
lender What was the surprise of that lady
and the others therefore when in the midst
of the midday meal in rushed 'I4izal She
had on clean print dress, made for the oc-
casion, but her hair was disordered, her
face pale from fatigue and excitement, her
eyes shone brightly.
"Hullo," exclaimed the girls in a breath
"My! amt she Il swell" They thought she
had come to show off her DRESS
Eliza" said Miss Calender, "what do
you want? You will be late for your con
firmation.'
ooh, MISS" gasped LIZA, almost breath
less, as she was 81 had to come I've tried
and tried to say it. and | never could, and
at first it seemed a white one, but lately
it's come atween me and God; and I've
thought on it at night in bed. and when any
of you has been kind to me, it ha' cut me
like knife; and, oh, miss, when you've
spoken of him, I've been a. near fallin' down
and explaining to yer, but somethin held
me back And told God, but he seemed
to say it wasn't any use my just tellin, uli-
less undid it. Oh, please, all of you'll
don't care now what you think of me. or if
you despise mel can't go to church until
I've told yer. Him rs talked of was only
what dreamed about when | was lonely,
evenings and times; and there wasn't no
Charlie, really, and no one amt never loved
me, nor wanted to marry me. "-I4udgate
Monthly.