Evening journal., 1899-06-13
IN DIVIDED PATHS.

She was a little thing with a dainty air,
and she looked particularly dainty just at
that particular moment. She was standing
near the mantel shelf, with one OF her little 8
white-slippered feet resting on the fender
of the fireplace. There was perpleNed, far
away look on her face. She was evidently
in deep thought over some unpleasant mat ,
ter Her hands we've loosely clasped and !
hung listessy down before her, resting
upon the soft white folds Of the girlish even
ing dress that she wore. The only light in
the room came from single gas jet IN the
chandelier, and it was only O half flame at
that. 1t was enough, however, to bring out
the red gold Of her hair, which shone almost
as bright as the flame itself. The room in
which she stood was furnished in that pc
culiar style which suggests the traveller.
Rugs aud bric-a-brac from all parts of the
world were scattered around in delightful
and artistic confusion.
Her revere was evidently a deep one, for
sharp ring at the doorbell failed to arouse
her A few moments later youth entered
the room. He was apparently nineteen or
twenty years Of age, probably a year her
senior He also was in evening attire. The
silence was unbroken for q moment or two.
Then she suddenly became aware that
pair of eyes were fixed upon her.
"Why, when did you come in, Johny she
exclaimed, going forward to meet him.
Gust this moment be answered, but
| you were soaring away so far in the realms
| Of thought that yon did not notice my en-
trance OF what were you thinking Just
now, Mariang" be osked.
20, John, haven't you heard the news?
But Of course you have not. How silly Of
me to ask Why we-that is, mamma and
myself - are TO leave in a few days for
England. Isn't ii too bads | declare, l
think it is simply nwful, for was just begin
ming 10 feel at home"
"You don't mean to say that you are 60
ing right back TO England! Why, Marian,
you haven't been at homo two months.
Surely you are joking, for it seems impos-
: sible."
"No, no; am not joking o, l only wish
that / was. To some girls tho idea of trav-
cling abroad would be actual bliss. But as
for me l hate the idea OF it. just think!
Ever since I have been able to appreciate a
home, cannot remember having had one.
/ It is true look on this as home; but have
spent so little time here can hardly call il
, such Ny whole life has been spent in jour
{ neying around this blessed globe OF ours
have been dragged across countless coun'
tries, until the mere idea Of travel makes me
miserable Papa, you know, was to join us
next month here in New York andwe were
10 live here for awhile; but something hal
happened to cause him to change his plans
and so mamma and are TO 90 back and meet
him ia London. The fates alone know where
or what next. Will you miss me, Johnv
a she asked, archly.
r They wero young and much in love, ans
t therefore said some foolish things. Later
;. Marian drew her wraps about her, and thu
s two, laughing and talking and making plan
4, for tho future, went out into che night.
Two days later, on the deck Of an oceaI
steamer stood the girl by Aer mother's side
~ waving last farewell 10 her friends OF
shore. Apart from the crowd aud well X
p vicw Of the girl stood the boy waving hi
u handkerchief to her. Both wero smiling
though thore wero tears in the eyes Of tn
8 g1l, and the boy felt Tsas lump in IN
throat And so tho two strained their eye
D. watching each other until the forms Of boti
/ had been blurred N the distance.
ID For time the letters we're regular, bot
writing always Of undyinS love. But as tn
p months passed the letters became les
regular 10 their arrival aRd departure. a
though the pvotaatntions 81 affection neve
Y waned, and then they stopped altogether
vi Tho love q sumner was forgotten, Oh
paths hencefurth led in different direction
t. and neither heart was broken.