The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-09-30
''ONLY PAULINE. s.
BY ETA j. WEBB.

Il
was bright wood fire in the graf
diffusing a genial warmth and light
Katherine loved warmth and light
she loved roses, too; not the sweet
wan, fragile kind that overran the oil
garden in summer, but heavy, rich
scented crimson roses, such as Jacl
Donelson sent in great handfuls daily
There was bowl of them now on th
piano, making blot of vivid colo
against the sombre background.
But it was not Katherine who stoot
on the hearth rug with fingers inter
laced staring moodily into the fire
1t was ''only" Pauline. The warn
glow lent a faint color to her Olive
cheeks and brought out a certain lus
tire in her hair that was not there eX
cepting in strong light. Too, it re
vealed lurking bitterness about hel
mouth and in her eyes. Pauline's
thoughts were not pleasant ones. She
was feeling at odds with herself and
all the world-that disagreeably an
tagonistic feeling that sets ones
moral teeth so sharply on edge.
"Only Pauline!" Long ago-so long
ago that it seemed to her sometimes
as if it could never have been other
wise-she had become reconciled to
the fact that Katherine and Kather-
ines wishes must always receive first
consideration. But then Katherine
was so beautiful that the best of ev-
erything seemed hers by right. 1t
was not hard to yield to her as to a
| palmer person or one less charming.
| Beside, Pauline was not beautiful. In
| deed, no one had ever gone SO far as
to call her good looking. Viewed in
the light of Katherine's exceeding
loneliness, she was plain even to
insignificance. Pretty, vain Mrs
Ward had never been quite able to
understand why her two daughters
were so unlike.
Katherine is all Norton" she was
wont to say, "but Pauline"
The sigh and deprecating little
shrug were more effective than any
mere words could have been in the
Pauline had heard the above re-
mark times without number, and had
given little heed. But when, one day,
her mother made it in the presence of
Wilton Eliot, she felt a sudden rush
of rebellious feeling that brought
tears to her eyes and choking sem
sation into her throat Did it need
that to make him fully conscious Of
her unattractiveness? Surely he could
see 1t without. For the first time in
her young life the girl felt that she
had not been treated fairly by her
mother and Katherine.
1t was the thought of this, and not
the sunless, chill November day that
gave to her face it's touch of gloom.
So absorbed in reflection was she that
sne did not hear when the door be-
hind her opened softly and some one
came into the room.
'Pauline!"
She turned to confront the slight,
boyish-looking young fellow who had
just pronounced her name.
"Oh, it's you, jack" she said, smil-
ing little. Il did not hear you come
in"
"Your mother said should find you
here. What nice fire!" He came
and stood before her on the hearth
rug. "Katherine-is she not at
homer" he asked, unhesitatingly.
No, she has gone to make some
calls with Mrs. Westford."
He drew deep, quivering breath,
at which the girl looked sharply up at
him.
Pm afraid you think I'm not very
hospitable, Jack. Won't you have
chair?"
mo, thank you. l can't stay long |
enough for that. Katherine promised |
to go driving with me this afternoon,
but l suppose she. forgot" he added,
81 suppose so," Pauline answered,
slowly.
Her eyes fell beneath his question
ing gaze.
Pauline, tell mel" he cried out sud-
denly. Does that man still come
here?"
"Do you mean Mr.. Eliot? Yes, he
still comes here"
A culver swept his face
"Will she-do you think-oh, Paul
ne, is she likely to marry him?"
The girls hand, hanging among the
'olds of her gown, was clinched until
he knuckles stood out Whitley.
How can l tell?" she answered
YEARLY. You ought to know Kath-
'rine well enough by this time to un-
that she will do exactly as
the pleases."
But if she pleases to marry him!
'ould not bear it-oh, l could not
,ear it,"
The anguish in the young voice
tirred Pauline strangely. She turned
md laid her hands upon his shoul-
lers.
''Oh, yes, you could" she said. "It
would be hard, but you could"
DO you think to comfort me by
elling me that?" he said, bitterly
Iou are very good. Pauline, but you
ont understand these things.
He drew her hands from his shoul-
ers anu clasped them tightly to-
ether
No, | suppose | don't-as you un- ;
erstand them," she said, with a touch
f sarcasm.
He looked at her in surprise.
why, / believe you are out of spir- ,
Is, too, Pauline! Can it be the &
'eather, do you Think" I
"Oh, it must be. The weather is al
'ays to blame for everything, isn't
?" ,
81 think drive would do us both &
ood. Won't you take pity on me
lnce Katherine has left me in the 7
lrch2" :