The record-union., 1893-04-22


during the winter.
The two girls sat together, of course
They were never separated when they
could possibly be together. During the
services Ida sat with clasped hands and
bowed head, but she heard little of the
sermon. Her thoughts we're busy-busy
with the Easter tide of year ago when
she had found her heart and lost
1t. All! those earnest eyes that watched
her then; those strong hands that held
hers so close; that face which she had
thought so noble! She had been so hap
Ply then, but since that-there was pride
and anger and love mingled after that and
since-lt was so hard to go on, to smile
and talk as il she had never known what
1t was to have loved and have been loved,
and then everything shattered-so hard!
But could she forgive him-Conrad Elliott
All, could she not? So she was thinking
and missed the sermon, the old, old
story of the Passion.
Meanwhile Nays eyes had been rowing
| over the congregation. She was firing of
the droning voice of the preacher and
needed some occupation. Suddenly
catching sight of young man on the OPP
poslte side of the church, with eyes
nXed lntently on Lida's face, May gave
slight start of surprise, which, how
ever, did not rouse her friend. a mo-
meut later the man turned his eyes to-
{ = -
ana inquiry passed between them. May
glanced quickly at Ida who still sat
with her eyes fixed on her clasped hands,
then turned to him and silently formed
the word, wait" with her lips.
The services were over, the benediction
was pronounced, and the congregation
| began to leave. May and Ida passed
| together down the aisle, but near the
door May contrived to get separated from
her companion in the crowd, and went
quickly up othe young man who seemed
to be waiting for her. She put both hands
into his, whispered: Pm going to spend
the day with her. I'll talk with you this
evening on the way home" and flashed
away TO rejoin Ida outside the door.
During all the day, spent with Ida and
her invalid mother, May seemed III moro
than her usual high spirits, but early in
the evening she insisted that she must go
home, and go she would in spite of Ida $
| persuasions TO stay longer.
Seeing that May was determined Ida
threw a light scarf over her head and
walked down the street G short distance
with her. May smiled oddly as Ida
| turned back, then minute later turned
into another street on which was her
home, and was almost Immediately
Joined by the young man she had spoken
to in the church.
For willie they walked on in silence.
Then May spoke suddenly: "Con," she
said, severely. don't you think you
ought to be ashamed of yourself?''
Goodness knows l am" he answered,
meekly.
IT'S Time" May went on. still Sc
verely. 81 think your conduct was just
! shameful, breaking Il girls heart and then
running away, and it's no more than
right that you should suffer for it, but the
trouble is she suffers, too, worse than
you do"
Pm dreadfully sorry" still more
meekly.
''Sorryp' Indignantly. "Of all the i'm
pudence! If you weren't my own cousin
I'd don't know WHAT
But. see here, May, l want to make
up with her, and I'd do anything you'd
ask if you'd only help. | haven't had a
happy minute since that day. Confound
1t if | remember what ii was we fell out
about"
Don't add to your sins by swearing
that won't do any good. I remem Der
that it was your fault, that is. most all,
and l don't think I'd help you at all,
only it's killing her."
May, for Gods sake, don't say that"
he groaned. II thought that women
could get over such things, but
But shows you didn't know a thing
about Them" snapped May. 1--WE
women never get over such things; it's
You men that do that. But now Ill quit
scolding and help you out if l can, for
you've been suffering, too, though you
deserved it; you've grown thinner, and
your mustache hasn't the least bit of
curl in it now," looking him over criti-
cally.
How will you help me?" he asked,
eagerly.
well, I've got scheme. Come to the
entertainment tomorrow night and Phi
tell you. Here we are home. Won't
you come imp
NO. 1 don't want to meet any one
just now. But say, do you think she
would forgive me?''
81 don't know, but 1 think so. You
don't deserve it; but women are queer
creatures L know by experience" and
May heaved a tremendous sigh, which
was robbed of its effect by the twinkle in
her eyes.
Heaven bless you, May he said, as
he raised her hand to his lips andre
ceived a smart slap across his face.
Good night, Con-" she called, as she
ran lightly up the steps.
Good night" and he walked away
filled with conflicting emotions.
1.-The house is just crammed," May re-
ported eXultantly to Ida behind the
scenes on the evening of Easter Monday
"pve just been taking peep through
pretty CONSIDERABLE
Everything went off smoothly. Not
a single hitch anywhere" May said.
Alice Holmes, the elocutionist of the
| town, was reading a story, My Lily"
Next came the children's chorus, He is
Risen'; after that, The Pardon"
Thine to dress,' said Nav, and DRAGGED
Ida oil to the ladies' dressing-room.
Before the applause for the chlldren's
song had died away the two emerged.
Ida was clad in soft, white drapery, fall
ing from shoulders to feet, with wide
| flowing sleeves falling away from the
| rounded, white arms. Her hair was uu-
bound, waving and shining almost
to her knees, and on it was placed circle
OF gold, her halo. ON her shoulders were
fastened pair of wide wings. May was
much excited, and looked queerly at her
friend, Ida thought.
why, what's the matter, May?" she
asked.
ooh, nothing, you're SO lovely: but
hurry, they're waiting" and Ida stepped
upon the stage.
The skinner" was already there in his
proper attitude, and Ida quickly took
her position.
The lights in the hallIwere going down
when the Sinner raised his head and
looked her full in the face 1t was Con-
rad Eliot. This was the first time she had
seen him since that day-that dreadful
! Il ,f+ I,o;,