The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-08-09
LOYAL.

At the school-roOm WINDOW OF q
handsome house situated in the
suburbs of Boston stood Marion Allyn;
there was pensive look upon her IN
tellioent face, while her expressive eyes
gazed long and anxiously out upon a
fast-deepening April twilight.
With sigh Marion turned as the
rustic of woman's dress reached her
ear and her cousin Lillian swept into
the room, her silken skirts trailing over
the carpet.
"I declare, Marion, it's too bad!" she
pettishly exclaimed. "You promised
to finish draping my skirt as soon as
the children were through their lessons
and here it is almost dark and you are
wasting your time staring out OF the
window"
"Oh, Lillian, am SO sorry! I will
go at once!"
"Yes, that is always the way; you are
sorry when it is too late. Mamma said
this afternoon that unless you changed
for the better she should send you
away to earn your own living"
"Very well, Lillian, am ready to 60
at any moneent; have been thinking
seriously of speaking to uncle about
seeking employment elsewhere. For
year have been an overworked SER
want in his house, without even the
privilege of resting when l am tired.
At the worst l can certainly earn
enough to clothe myself and that will
save me the humiliation of wearing
your cast-off clothing"
AS Marion left the room Lillian sunk
| into chair, more astounded than she
had ever been in her life.
al am glad she is reused at last"
she thought. Mamma must get rid
of her at once, for do not feel safe
while she is in the house. What if she
and Arnold should meet after all my
scheming for the last year to keep
them apart? Oh, it would. be too
cruel! 1t was brilliant idea to sup
press that letter. He certainly must
| have been crazy to think of marrying
a penniless girl-and with his posi-
ton, too! Well, he is becoming very
attentive and if l manage right l shall
be Mrs. Arnold Gray in the near
future"
The draping finished, Marion helped
her beautiful cousin to dress. She put
the finishing touches to the elegant
toilet her hands trembling with weari
ness.
"Can l be of any more assistance|
she asked "If not will go to my
room. My head aches and am very
tired"
"Yes, you can bring my fan anc
gloves downstairs. l may want yor
to fasten my cloak for me. While yor
are here you must make yourself use
full"
In utter silence Marion followed hel
cousin down to the brilliantly Lighted
drawino-room where Mrs. Allyn await
ed her daughter.
sMy love, you look charming to
NIGHT" she said. "You will captivat
hearts by the score" And mothe
snd daughter swept from the room
without one kind word for the patien
o;rl who had served them so faithful
Lillian Allyn was the belle of th
ball and she certainly looked lovel
enough to satisfy any mans idea
womanly beauty, or so Arnold era
thought as he watched the gracefr
girl dressed in pink, with clusters
creamy roses at her corsage and in he
waving golden hair. None knew of th
craft and malice hidden under ths
i fair exterior.
\ Making his way through the crow
he sought her side.
"Miss Allyn" he asked, "may dal
hope you have reserved one dance tc
me?"
,, Lillian started as the musical, vii
ming tones fell upon her ear. Of
the men she had ever met this was tt
onlv one who had touched the spoile
\ selfish girls heart. A flush staint
] her cheeks as she coquettishly answe
4 ed:
81 am not sure that you deserve
he remembered after remaining avs
: until this late hour"
81 admit it. l deserve any punis
nent you choose to inf1iet. Now th
have suitably hum bled myself may
hope. for forgiveness and favor?"
'Yes-but remem ber, you are not
offend in the same manner again"
The dainty white hand resting up
" Arnold's arm trembled slightly, t
q long lashes dropped over the pans
i blue eyes as the young man gazed
X one moment into the beautiful ia
raised so contidingly to his. But wi
deep sigh he thought:
"Strange that Marion has never
formed her cousin of her whereabou
Her treatment of me is surprisi
from one of her gentle nature.
as must have received my letter, for
was at her uncle's when l wrote 1t.
have tried to forget her, but in va
nv heart still remains loyal to It's II
love. Poor child! Although
scorned me 1 cannot rest until kn
she is prosperous and happy"
1t was balmy day in May.
a spring flowers were in bloom, thrt
LID ING out their odors upon the still {
~ birds twittered in the trees close to
SPOT where, prone upon the grou
the sunshine gently kissing her d
o hair, lay Marion Allyn, sobbing hef
w brokenly.
re Presently Lillian, with the lat
novel in her hand, sauntered by. {
ing one scornful glance at the prostr
form of her cousin, she said:
marion, you know you are &c
tomorrow morning and that [ exp
you to finish my travelling dress. CT
into the house at once"
"Give me a few moments, Lillian
oil want to think awhile"
ne "Verv we'll; but take my advice
oil don't think about Arnold Gray. l
OIL you spying upon us last evening as
walked in the garden"
ill LILLIAN, you are telling an untr'
Ii came into the grounds for air ar
ore did not see you until you were ain
upon me- l was not even aware =
you and Mr.. Gray were such {
friends"
'And you are jealous, perhaps?"
. mo; have no right to inter
n with Mr.. Gray's movements"
Wa 81 should say not, indeed, after
SO coolly threw you over when