People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-12-13

ga most blessed and unmitigated re.
lief"
What is?" asked wonderingly.
Her face crimsoned.
ITO get indoors" she answered
quickly; but felt sure that she did
not mean that when she spoke first.
Then Lady Latimer rose from her
chair. She took of her hat and man
tie.
81 prefer dressing and UNDRESSING
myself to having a maid always about
me" she said. Shall | RING for Hill
ton for you?n
Il have never had a maid in allm
life, " | answered, thinking of the toll.
cts at home and the struggle to get
through them.
That is right" she said heartily.
l looked around that magnificent
sleeping-room. The hangings were
all OF blue velvet and white silk. tbe
carpet OF light blue velvet piled with
white flowers; a few exquisite pictures
adorned the walls; ornaments OF every
description abounded; the toilet-tables
seemed to me one blaze of silver and
richly cut glass; one door opened into
a bathroom superbly fitted: another
into a beautiful boudoir. all blpe and
white. A balcony ran along the win
dows, filled with the loveliest. rarest
and most fragrant flowers. Every
thing that money cOuld purchase or
art suggest was in those beautiful
rooms. | thought to myself as I
looked around, How enviably happv
the owner OF all this magnifcence
must be- | was soon TO find out that
all the magnifcence in the world could
not confer happiness.
Come into the boudoir," said Lady
Latimer. How pleasant it is to have
some one to talk to and laugh with.
There are days when my very nature
seems starved for the want Of laugh
ter"
And We have so much Of it." said I
Involuntary.
Yes. When | saw that row Of
smiling happy faces at church. nv
heart went out to them:the tears came
INTO my eyes, and l longed to be
among them. She drew me to herself
IN Embarrassing fashion inexpressi-
bly, graceful. II am so Glad that Won
came back with NE, Miss Lovel. I can
never tell you how | felt when | saw
you. | am sure that, in some STRANGE
manner or other, you are going TO
make part OF my life, or be involved in
it in some way"
81 had the same feeling" l replied,
wOnderingly.
Then, said Lady Latimer, lit is
true that there is something in it. l
am very lonely, and needed a friend.
You have such a frank face, so NOBLE
and true. You are dark and beauti-
ful. like dark, beautiful faces. You
are sympathetic; | need sympathy.
We shall be good friends, Miss Lowell"
Il hope so, was my answer. | knew
that in my heart | loved her well
enough to be her constant friend all
my life. Then she threw off the sad
ness and WEAKNESS that lay over her
like a shadow.
Miss Lowell" she said, "have YOU
been over the house?"
Two years ago" ! answered; and |
then told her Of the great awe that had
fallen over the boys at the sight of all
the magniiicence. Laughingly | told
her how the boys had implored me to
marry some one with house just like
this, for their especial use and benefit.
There is many a truth spoken in
jest" said Lady Latimer; but never
do that, my dear; let nothing ever
tempt you to marry for the sake of a
grand house, or money, Or position.
1t is the most horrible mistake that a
woman ever makes. Sooner die than
that"
81 never shall, Lady Latimer,"
replied; then, thinking of home,
added: Il should never have a chance.
no matter even if | might desire it."
Our only visitors were the curate and
the doctor.
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