Smyrna times., 1893-06-28
LOVE and LOYALTY.
BY AGUsTA HOWARD.

BY AGUSTA HOWARD.
AT the schOol-room window of a
handsome house situated in the sub.
urbs, stood Marion Allyn; there was "A
pensive look upon her intelligent face.
while her expressive eyes gazed long
and anxiOusly out upon fast deeping
April twilight.
With sigh Marion turned as the
rustic of a woman's dress reached her
ear, and her cousin Lillian swept into
the room, her silken skirts trailing
over the carpet.
=" declare Marion, its 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"
On, Lillian, I am so sorry | will
60 at once ~
Yes, that is always the way: You
are sorry when it is too late. Mamma
said this afternoon that unless Won
changed for the better she should send
you away to earn your own living y
Very well, Lillian, | am ready to
go at any moment; | have been think
ing seriously Of speaking to uncle
about seeking employment elsewhere.
For year have been an overworked
servant in his house, without even the
privilege Of resting when | am tired
At the worst | 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
sank into chair, more astounded
than she had ever been in her life.
u am glad she is reused at last"
she thought. Mamma must yet rid
OF her at once, for do not feel safe
While she is in the house. What if she
and Arnold should after all NV schem-
ing fol the past year to keep them
apart? Oh. it would be to cruel! 1t
was brilliant idea to suppress that
letter. He certainly must have been
crazy to think of marrying a penniless
girl, and with his position too Well
he Is becoming very attentive. and if |
manage right ] shall be Mrs. Arnold
Gray in the near future"
The draping flushed, Marion helped
her beautiful cousin to dress. She put
the finishing touches to the elegant tni-
let, her hands trembling with weari.
ness
"Can | be of any more assistance ?"
she asked. 'If not, | will 90 to nv
room. My head aches, aud am very
tired"
"Yes, you can bring my fan and
gloves down stairs. l may want YOU
to fastep my cloak for me. While vou
are here you must make yourself use
ful "
In utter silence Marion followed her
cousin down to the brilliantlv.ligbted
awing-roOm, where Mrs AIlvn
awaited her daughter.
My love, you look charming, to.
night" she said. Aud mother and
daughter swept from the room without
one kind word for the patient girl who
had served them so faithfully.
Lillian Allyn was the belle of the
Dali, and she certainly looked lovely
enough to satisfy any mans idea of
womanly beauty, or so Arnold Grav
thought as he watched the graceful
girl dressed in pink, with clusters of
creamy roses at her cordage and in her
waving golden hair. None knew of
the craft and malice hidden under that
fair exterior.
Making his way through the crowd
he sought her side.
Miss Allyn" he asked, "may dare
nope you have reserved one dance for
me?"
Lillian started as the musical tones
fell upon her ear Of the men she
had ever met, this was the only one
who had touched the spoiled, selfish
girls heart. A flush stained her
cheeks as she coquettishly aswered
Il am not sure that you deserve to
be remembered after remaining awav
until this late hour"
II admit it. l deserve any punisb-
ment you chose to inflict. Now that |
have suitably humbled myself, may
nope for forgiveness aud favor ?"
"Yes-but remember YOU are not to
offend in the same manner again"
The dainty white hand resting upon
Arnold's arm trembled slightly, the
long lashes dropped over the pansv-
blue eyes as the young man gazed for
one moment into the beautiful face
raised so confdingly to his. But with
deep sigh he thought:
Strange that Marion has never in.
formed her cousin of her whereabouts
Her treatment of me is surprising from
one of her gentle nature. She must
have received my letter, she was ut her
uncle's when l wrote it, | have tried
to forget her, but in vain; my heart
still remains loyal to its first love.
Poor child (! Although she scorned me,
cannot rest until know she is pros.
porous and happy"