The Yale expositor., 1895-01-25
CLOUDS TO SUNSHINE.

business ana rs he passed MT. west
overs house he noticed the slight fig
ure of young girl hurryinS up the
steps with pair of skates in her hand.
She could be no country girl, for she
was enveloprd in costly furs and her
face was shaded by a large velvet hat
with q gay plume In frontHe came to
tho conclusion that George Westover's
niece had arrived for the holidays,
and this pretty creature must be the
long looked for city belle.
A tall, splendidly built fellow was
John Hall, with q noble, look that one
would have sworn he never could have
harbored a mean thought In his life.
He was born in this little country
town and here he expected to die.
He thought no more about intrigues
and speculations than the snow which
he shook from his great coat when he
entered the modest place he called
home. His sister ran to meet him and
held her thy finger 1T him in dire re
proof.
"SevCn, John. and supper waiting.
What kept you?" There was serious
ness in her brown eyes, but smile
was ready to Turk about the corners
of her pretty mouth.
"Wby. DoLson wanted to make me
president OF the new OaIk and we
talked ii over tonight" he answered
her, as he hung his coat and hat up.
81 told him ! was so busy with the
factories l had very little time FOR
bank work. but l at last accepted,
and then just as / was going out OF
the office / received word to stop in
and get my back rent from the house
on the bluff. l had entirely forgotten
them and almost felt like refusing TO
take 1t, but they are very proud.
and YOU so good, my dear brother
his sister said in n loving tone.
you cannot imagine what you and
/ have received to-day, Brother John.
Now guess
well, some butter from Mrs. West!'
"No. guess again"
"a donation for the church fund!'
"Nov'
II give 1t up, Puss. But didn't you
say supper was waiungT
"You will get no supper until you
guess. but might as well tell you. for
/ know you would never dream what
1t was. We-you and I-are invited
to a Christmas ball at Mr.. Westover's;
and you'll take me won't you? / do so
want to CO."
There was so much entreaty In her
piauant face that her big brother kiss
ed her laughingly and they went to
supper together.
He had not the heart to refuse Ellen
anything. She, like himself, was moth
erless and faEherless.
SO it was arranged, Ellen was to ac-
cept the invitation and John was TO
escort her to the ball. When the night
arrived his sister declared there was
not q handsomer man in the commu-
nifty. Ellen in her charming tulle dress
covered with floating mass of tiounceS
and shining, white satin ribbons, q
rose In her dark tresses and happy
smile on her pretty face, was as sweet
picture as one would find anywhere.
The orchestra was playing when they
entered the parlors of rich George
Westover. They We're introduced TO
his neice, and John thought never In all
his life had he seen so beautiful girl.
She had a slender graceful figure. dark
eyes and golden-brown hair; add TO
| this n musical voice and you lave
! Alnllue w eSlONeI.
Was it the music that stirred his
heart so? No. for tie strains had ceas-
ed AMI there was the same feeling In
! his breast. Poor Brother John! He did
rot know that he was falling dreadful
| " in love with this fair city belle.
Maude Westover noticed his silence
and asked: Don't you dance, MIR.
IIall?"
II have never learned" be answered
In his straightforward I amer, but
my sister is very fond Of it"
Ellen blushed and n cousin Of Miss
! WestOvers named Bobbie Somers was
soon whirling off in the maZes of an
enhancing waltz. Then other friends
came up and John was banished but
only for q short time. When her
guests had all arrived she sought him
out and took upon herself the task OF
entertaining him.
"Are you fond of flowers" she ask
ed him.
Johns face lighted up, and she, think
ing it was for the flowers, led him into
the conservatory. The time slipped by
on fairies wings and Ellen had to
come and hunt him up, for they had
agreed to go home early. Many a
night after this ball Ellen was left
alone while John was at the Westover
mansion. gazing with lovelit eyes into
the face of Maude Westover and living
in blissful dream.
1t was not strange either, that Ellen
after being deserted by her big broth
err, should accept the attentions OF
Bobbie Somers-merely for protection
Maude Westover to do her justice was
so fond Of admiration that she just es-
capped being called a flirt, yet she had
sterling qualities and really liked John
Hall more than she supposed.
AS he grew more In earnest. she
drew back. 1t was not that she liked
him less. 1t was an unconscious Timi
dity, only she concealed this under the
guise of indifference. 1t was New
Years day and they were standing
together looking out upon the river
which was 4 sheet OF ice.
You promised to go skating with me
this afternoon" he said in q low voice
skating with you? Surely you are
mistaken"
Now, Maude Westover knew very
well he spoke the truth, but she wa:
half-afraid of his sturdy speech. lie
| hlozad mn INSTANTLY