The Newtown bee., 1897-12-03

miou4ln UuSy Wluklu anu OllnKl0' ana
s'pose It's about 80 with Esther. Wo-
men be pesky Gurus critters, anyway.
Now, when know you're planning ter
git the best of poor old Jared, yer do it
so kinder nice L pretend I don't see it {;
and dare say Esther has the same fac
ulty. hope Burleigh's heart won't be
shiftin' around, if his head ISL
A year soon sped away. Rumors came
of hard, earnest work coupled with ex-
ceptional ability; occasional flying Wis
its more than fulfilled the expectations
of Burleigh's friends. Instead of long
summer vacation only few weeks were
taken; then another year went by.
Again he came with high honors, and q
most desirable position unexpectedly Of
fered him; an opening which might lead
to the coveted goal of his sometimes fick-
lie ambition.
Time had not dealt quite so happily
with Esther. Money difficulties threat
ened the family sky with clouds of dis
aster, and her mother fell i'll with lin
gering malady. She was obliged to re-
nounee many bright anticipations till the
storm blew over; but her courage and
! perseverance brought recompense in the
things she loved best. She was very
proud of her lovers growing reputation,
md must not fall too far behind in the
intellectual race; SO that study at home
with occasional visits to the city for in
struction in addition to other RESPONSE
bilities filled her days quite full. She
modestly kept her ambitions rather pri-
Vate; even Burleigh himself little com,
pretended the development of her fine
| mind, or the struggles which had to be
borne to accomplish it. The true, keen
| enjoyment in the work for it's own sake,
supplemented by pride and love, was ev-
er source of strength. Burleigh's short
visits had been GASES in her life, fresh
with all that was bright and beautiful.
Then came the long anticipated reality
of greeting him with his hard-won lau-
rels fresh upon him, and other laurels
awaiting him, while the thought of IN
folding the results OF her own endeav-
ors brought the flush of pleasure to her
cheek.
Burleigh came: and a few days later
came Florence Maynard. For time af-
ter their arrival the demands on Esther's
time and attention were unusually press
ing; but her cleaning face in her lovers
presence revealed the wealth of heart re-
aected, and his eyes could not always
respond to the crystal claarness of her
own.
''Miss Maynard is friend of mine."
Burleigh said to her one day. ''She
quite fell in love with my description of
our old shady street, with It's summer
quiet and quaint hospitality, and declar-
ed it to be Just the place to rest from So
ciety's claims. Entertain her when you
can; I do not want to lose my reputation
for veracity.n
Somehow 1t often came about { hat Els
ther was detained, while Burleigh and
Florence enjoyed the pleasure excursions
without her; her own true, generous self
aiding their fulfilment.
One August night, delicious with a
breath OF autumn in the air, life seemed
to Esther very full of glorious fruition.
Good news had rolled away the dark
financial clouds, removing heavy bur
dens from all; the mother was better,
with strong hopes of conValescence;
Burleigh had come with evidence OF her
faith In steadfastness Of purpose fulfill |
ed. Her young heart, rebounding with
the elasticity Of youth, had been over
flowing with happiness all the day
Florence had been her guest for the af-
ternoon. Burleigh had arrived for the
evenings pleasures. With song IN her
heart, she went out III the deepening twi-
light with some message to her guests.
Unnoticed In the dusk. just % she was