The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-09-09
A MAIDEN'S CHOICE.

The tide was rolling in rapidly.
Great white-topped, fieecy crowned
waves, so white, so tieecy in contrast
with the deep hues of the water itself;
and the sun was gliding, crimsoning
and purpling the western sky. Away
up in the heavens were soft, floating
clouds of ali bright colors, and their
reflections lay on the ocean, tinting it
with their many hues.
The carriages were whirling up and
down Ocean Avenue with gaily dressed
women, gentlemen caracoled on horse
back at their sides; laughter, jest, mer-
riment everywhere. Then, as the twi-
light deepened, soft, sweet music float
ed out from the brightly lighted rooms,
and the piazzas were crowded with
pFomenaders, lOungers and all the
pleasure loving crowd of gay water
ing place.
Two young girls, with arms inter
twined, slowly paced garden walk.
"Is it not delicious, Aary?' said one,
This briny breath of old ocean, the
music, the summer night7 Listen
There is that old waltz of Walters. 1t
just accords with my mood"
delicious, indeed, Helen and If 80
to you, what do you think it is TO me
Pent up as / am through weary days,
il is heavenly. l can never express to
you how / enjoy it all. 1t is my first
week at the seashore. The music,
moonlight, freedom, intoxicates me.
feel as if | could float off upon those
flowing waves, rather than go back to
my weary work. But that is only now.
By and by l shall return TO my practi-
cal self, and be thankful for work
which gives comfort TO those | love. |
think sometimes, do you know, that /
have two selves"
Both very nice selves, Mollie; ones
patient, kind sympatizer in youI
friends romantic follies that must be
your romantic self; and the practical
self gives me excellent advice and set:
me an example of patient industry and
perseverance which often makes me
ashamed of my own idly spent life.H
''But you had a special topic of COD
versation for tonight, you said. Do
you need the Judgment of my practical
self upon your two last lovers. for sea
it is almost time that you make de
cision.r
"You have guessed rightly, Mollie
do not say / shall take your judg
ment, however, but / want to talk witt
you"
''Let me avow, Helen, at the outset
am only interested in one"
81 supposed so, and that is why
say / am not prepared to accept you
Judgment. Albert Norris is very hand
some, wealthy, successful merchant
An only SON"
"Yes; and Edward Barnes is plain
in very moderate circumstances |
struggling young lawyer who has love-
you from boyhood. | have regrette'
to see how much you were influences
by the exterior advantages of one
Helen, and how little regard you give
apparently, to the quick, good sense
the persevering spirit, the solid. sut
stantial qualities of the other. l "a,
apparently, for | can not but thinl
down in the depths Of your heart yo
do appreciate them. To my mind, un
influenced by the incense of their ad
miration, which is only swung toward
you, there is only one choice"
"But you know how much / admir-
beauty, and, silly as it may sound
YOU, very much admire Albert's ar
pearanee. am somewhat of cat, a
somebody says most women are.
like to nestle on soft cushions in th
sunshine. / do enjoy the luxuriou
things of this life. sm afraid shoul
not want to share poverty with Ee
ward, wear calico dresses. perhaps coo
his meals. Think of ii Mary"
"You are little goose, and do nc
suppose il would do you a great deal {
harm to cook the meals if there wa
some one to clean the pots and pan
am vulgar enough to enjoy the pre-
aration of dainty dish if some one
!, care for will help to eat it; and VII
may not all dishes be daintily prepa