The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-10

children that died-somebody's cried
over that. And pictures-seems to
be more of them than anything else"
She had pressed closer to the glass,
scanning the faded outlines of old
fashioned daguerreotypes and am
brotypes. Suddenly she gasped and
her face whitened.
"You are ill.," said a lady at her
side.
mo, no." answered Miss Lavinia
brokenly. ''l'm not ill. Nothing is
the matter-that is'-with quick
truthfulnesss-''n nothing that any
body can help. Thank you, just the
same, ma'am" Her lips forced a
piteous smile of gratitude.
Steadying herself by the stout han
die of her umbrella she stood gazing.
On the other side of the glass, just
beyond her reach, lay the portrait of
young girl with large brown eyes
and dark curls that, clustering about
her shoulders, emphasized the white
ness of the shapely throat. The del
icate lips we're parted as if with some
syllable Of gladness; the whole face
seemed the visible expression of hope
and love. No wonder the quaint
gown had grown old-fashioned, for
thirty-five years had gone since Miss
Lavinia's own fingers had wrapped
the little picture, and her sweet maid
emily eyes" with it into the package
for which her lovers eyes had watched
and longed in vain.
Don't send me any answer at all,
dear, if it can't be the right one"
Ezra had written. "But remember
that there'll never be anybody else
in the world for me!'
"And 1 thought he scorned me-"
she moaned in her heart. "May God
forgive me! O Ezra! Ezra! It's
mine-minew She struck her gloved
hand unconsciously against the glass.
"They lost it!-they've no right
now to keep it here for folks to stare
att"
An elderly gentleman with straight,
soldierly figure and a kindly face UNI
der his broad trimmed hat, CHANGED
to approach at the moment, and to
him Miss Lavinia turned timidly, yet
with resolution.
81 beg your pardon, sir, but could
you tell me-do you know-if there
is any way to get things out OF here
things that belong to one, l mean?"
81 don't quite understand you,
madam"
cts this way, sir. l sent picture
great while ago to California, to-a
friend. I've just found it in this case.
l never knew he didn't get it. want
it again"
swell, that's interesting, indeed,
ma'aml A picture?"
"Yes sir-this one. Don't you
think it belongs to me?"
This time it was the stranger who
started and paled. One moment his
gaze devoured the girlish image; the
next it turned like the swing of a
pendulum to Miss Lavinias wonder
ing face. A slow assurance, mar
velous gentleness, relaxed his strained
features, and he bent to the level of
the little woman's ear.
mo, Viny-little Vinyl" he whisp-
cred, at belongs to mel
"a letter for you, mother!' said
Mr.. Merrick, tossing sealed envel-
ope into his wife's lap.
why's handwriting! Now l sup
pose she'll say when she's coming
home"
"My dear Jane" (the letter RAM,
Il never could explain it in letter,
SO Irsha'n't try. You may look for
me Saturday evening by the six
o'clock train, but l sha'n't be alone.
There was great mistake made, but
it is all right now. Ezra said he
wouldn't risk another, so we were
married this morning. shall tell
you all about it when / come.
"Your affectionate friend,
"LAvINIA WILDER WILLIAMS"
Mrs. Merrick's hands fell. For the
first time in her life her tongue re-
fused its Office.
"What is it, janet" asked her hus-
band anxiously.
Mrs. Merrick Gas she related after
wards) "pulled herself together"
"It's Why's wedding card!" said
she, and she handed him the letter.
Advance.