The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-21
A|lHE EkINIEYTf 1[,)iil|i

was valuable"
Law me! you're rich woman, then.
How things do come round Pity it
hadn't come before your ma died."
Then, as her listeners lips quivered,
she added, hastily: Don't you go to
fretting, though. She's a sight better
off. And your fathers left yet-ain't
you, Mr.. Cropsey? And that's a
great comfort-him so spry and chip.
per. Well, I'm glad you've had the
luck, but body won't dare run in
and out as they've been doing. You'll
be getting SO fine and proud"
"Iguess we won't forget our friends.
Well be glad to see you just as long
as we stay here. But we think of go
ing away"
Going away"
Eyes. Fathers been poorly lately.
The change will do him good"
Dome good and wake me up"
You don't say! Where are you
going!"
There was sudden accession of
respect in the visitors tones. "Poor"
Miss Cropsey had been easily pitied
and patronized. erich" Miss Crop
sey deserved consideration.
ave haven't decided yet. I'd like
Boston. Mother was born there, and
wanted to see the town when / was
little girl. Mrs. Forrest writes
such friendly letters. She's asked
me to visit her, being mothers cousin
and ALL"
Boston! Land! It's wonder
full place, Miss Cropsey. You act as
if you think you'll like it. At your
age, too"
lis it so very strange?''-a trife
sharp.
"Why, no-that is-yes Your
me! Am l hideous, or helpless,
or-or-"
Excitement and indignation had
tinted the usually calm pale faces
with vivid brightness. Her neighbor
recognized a new charm about the
quiet woman, and yielded her admir-
alton.
"You are Miss Cropsey, l declare
you're pretty! | never knew it be-
fore. But you aren't a girl any Ion
ger, and you were always old for
your years. used to say to Nathan.
SEE |, that Miss Cropsey's got an old
head on young shoulders if ever any
one had"
what then7 If I've never had
any pleasure, is that any proof I new
er will have? 1t seems as if my girl
hood was a wretched record of toll
and WEAKNESS. Mother was always
sick, you know. Never strong like
me. So I've never been young. Why
can't l have my youth now?"
well. it's none of my business"
her neighbor said, shortly. "You
know what you want yourself, l
s'pose. For my part, it seems like
tempting of Providence to go rush
ing away from home. Lawl you
can't tell what may happen. Mebbe
you'll be married when you come
back"
Miss Cropsey's cheeks were scarlet
as her visitor rose.
swell, l must go. Nathan and me
we talked it all over last night. He'll
be beat to hear of your plan. Wonder
what the minister and Elder Boggs
will say? You'll be to meeting to-
morrow night"
EYES,"
She shut her lips tightly. Her
friend understood the sign. She had
said all she would. Nothing would
be gained by longer call. Miss
Cropsey accompanied her to the gate,
then went back to her father and
the small but pleasant room.
The house which had been her home
during the thirtyseven years of her
life was one of four adjoining brick
cottages. Each contained precisely
the same number of rooms, doors, and
windows. Even those at either end
had been provided with blank red
walls, unpierced by the slightest
opening, as if to prevent any boast of
superiority. Although architect and
builder had controlled distinction in
the cottages themselves, pride had
placed as great gulf between their
occupants as may be said to exist be-
tween cannibals and Christians. They
might have been four planets sepa-
rated by miles of atmosphere or ether,
for any practical communication with
each other. Little sympathy existed
between meek, easily looked down
upon Miss Cropsey and her severely
intellectual neighbors the Mitchells;
still among the former, the latter, and
vain, chatty, fashion-loving Mrs