The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1897-09-01

ful, and with half the color gone
from her checks and lips; for on
the day Of her farewell visit to the
Grammar School Jack Macdonald
had remained true to his policy of
keeping out of the way.
Alice and Harold gone, things
settled down outwardly Just as
usual at Brierton. 1t was only
outwardly, however, for the lives
of two persons at least had greatly
changed since the early autumn
time.
Lesbia found it almost impossi-
bic to go on as before. She was
sometimes frightened at the force
of the passion that possessed her.
Setting aside her love for Harold.
too, intercourse with him aroused
within her a strong desire for full
ler life, and she felt that Brierton
could not hold her much longer.
But for the present she scarcely
knew what to do. AS Jack Mac
donald, in the hope of drowning
his grief, had plunged feverishly
into study, Lesbia, with the same
intent, devoted herself. industri-
ously to her favorite pursuit of
painting. Itpleased her fancy to
seek out and depict the most des-
olate winter scenes she could find,
and for the first time her passion
lent her brush power it had not
hitherto possessed.
One January afternoon she made
her way to the Marsha dreary
expanse of level land where the
little river Devon, grown slow and
muddy since it left the town, made
it's sluggish way down to the sea.
A low, sullen sky brooded above
the waste, and a flock of sea-birds,
Tapping their wings, flew scream
ing across it. Asolitary sail came
slowly down the stagnant-looking
river.
Lesbia sat down on one of the
old contorted tree trunks which
were scattered about on the short
grass. The scene depressed her, as
we'll it might. It was SO ioyless,
so colorless.
cit is like the life that lies be-
fore me- she said.
Then a sudden revulsion of feel
ing came. All that was strong and
healthy in her came to the rescue,
and protested against her presen t
mood of brooding and gloom.
II am foolish to stay here nurs-
ing my passion and wasting my
life," she said. ''I must find alb
sorbing work Of some kind to do.
[ can paint; [ can teach; I can
even write little. lam not want
ed at the Grammar School.
would rather earn my own living
than depend on my uncle. I will
write to my friends in London and
ask them to let me stay with them
while [ look about me. Hard
work of some kind I must have
She stood up, and her dark eyes
looked resolutely across the waste.
While she looked a flush of red
broke into the grey sky over the
unseen sea. Lesbia smiled.
II accept the sign she said
"Sometling bright is coming into
| my life. I am going to find worl
to do, and to be happy in it,
But Lesbia had not read the
sign exactly Alright. When she
reached the Grammar School, Har
: old Healy met her at the gate
His hazel eyes, bright and clear
: looked into hers with a great Joy
Lesbia hurried forward, boil
} hands held ont.
"You can see! Oh, Harold, yo,
can see!" she cried, all persona
feeling for the moment lost in pure
! pleasure that the blind man hat
received his sight.
$ Harold's eyes devoured her face
= es, can see," he said. cane
e Lesbia you know what 1t was M
' eyes most longed to look ,upon?"
/ She gazed at him wondering,
f delicious sense of impending 10,
stealing over her.
e Il have come straight here" h.
i went on, never moving his eye
from her face. Il have not ever
!, been home. 1t was your face
: lopged to see, Lesbia. before
: looked on any one else's.'
e "My face?' said Lesbia.
2 1t was Il very glowing face jus
e then, and something in the dawn
e ing surprised gladness of the dee
: shining eyes made Harold bold
d He took the radiant face in hi
V hands and kissed it.
: A little later Harold was eX
g planning matters.
50 lice ap6 T have bean frinpI