The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-28
AlHE EFlk7NIE : 1 1l(I1|


rassment and joined timidly in the
conversation. He talked with easy
grace, enjoying the brightness he
brought to his listeners.
rs he not veritaole sunshine?"
laughed Mrs. Forrest, as he went out
into the deepening twilight. You
must like him, Huldah dear. But
you will; you can't help it. He
charms whom he will. He has the
cheeriest wit and the kindest heart.
He is a great favorite of mine, dear"
81 like him already"
He brings out the best in every
body. There is story that Jones
Burke, who is proverbially dull (you
will meet him SOON once amazed his
friends by originating a joke. He,
poor fellow, was as much amazed as
any one. Some one asked him how
he thought of it. He replied: II
don't know. Vivien made me-
Miss Cropsey sighed. "I'm afraid
even Mr.. Vivien would despair at my
dulness."
"You are not dull, dear"
The kindly woman laid her hand
caressingly on the bowed head.
Huldah had learned to love her dear
ly, but her life discipline had taught
her to repress her emotions. The
hundred gracious little kindnesses
most women show to those they love
were almost unknown to her. Each
frank manifestation of her friends
affection startled her afresh.
"She looks" Mrs. Forrest thought,
"as if she was surprised by tender
ness, yet her eyes are wistful with
yearning for it,"
She bent down and kissed her;
and Miss Cropsey, touched and
pleased by the strange tenderness,
forgot reserve and the training of
many years and chung to her, sobbing
gladly.
''Oh, do you really like me littlei
You are like my mother-as she
would have been had her life been
as happy as yours. Do you want me
to like you? You don't know how
much l do. Oh, can't tell you'll"
Vivien gave the stranger a critical
thought review.
"She is interesting" he decided.
Gone feels sorry for her, yet she may
not need pity. She has life before
her, this shadow of woman, and the
noblest natures mature most slowly.
My experiment is worth trying"
Miss Cropsey lived in an enchant-
ed land that winter. She was sur
rounded by beauty. Art, poetry,
music, and oratory laid their treas
ures at her feet. Vivien was her con-
slant companion, always patient and
helpful, never weary of explanation,
adding to the noblest thoughts and
sweetest songs the charm of his in
depreciation.
She learned that he was a general
favorite. There were few games of
skill at which he was not an expert.
No social gathering seemed complete
without his presence. The few short
stories he had written had been high
ly praised by competent critics. Men
and women alike yielded him honor.
He excelled in all things with care
less ease, and even those prejudiced
by envy or jealousy submitted sooner
or later to the true kindliness of his
nature. Miss Cropsey could not but
be pleased by his homage.
He was perplexed by his emotions.
In rousing the soul of this shadow
woman, as he called her in his
thoughts, he had unconsciously
wakened answering chords in his own
heart. He talked dreamily of the d.
vinity of love, and found echo and
inspiration in his pupils eye.
Mrs. Forrest listened to his praises
with wise amusement. She had
grown fond of her guest.
"You may praise her." she said
once. 81 have tried her. She is
white lily in purity, and peace is
throned in her heart"
Miss Cropsey did not try to ana
I'VE her JOY. 1t showed itself in
gentle deeds. She was interested in
each life that lived around her. With
the deepest sympathy she sought out
those whom others avoided, striving
to bring within their reach the light
and beauty she saw everywhere. The
timid found in her firm friend, the
discouraged gained strength from
her messages.
Her father felt deep pride in all
her triumphs, but attributed them
entirely to wealth, and regarded her
benevolent schemes with profound