Evening journal., 1899-05-12
IN DIVIDED PATHS.

She was a little thing with a dainty air,
and abe looked particularly dainty just at
that particular moment. She was standing
near the mantel shelf, with one OF her little
white slippered feet resting on the fender
Of the fireplace. There was n perplexed, far
rvay look on her face. She was evidently
IN deep thought over some unp asanl mat.
ter. Her hands veto loossl, sad and
hung listlossly down beior, h.r, resting
upon the soft white folds Of the ga lsh even.
ing dress that she wore. The on.s light in
the room came from a single 10 jet in the
chandelier, and it was ouly half flame at
that II was enough, however 10 hrng 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
ouliar style which suggests the traveller
Rugs and bric-a-brac from all parts of the
world were scattered around in delightful
and artistic confusion.
Her reverie was evidently deep one, for
a sharp ring at the doorbell failed 10 arouse
her 4 few moments later youth entered
the room. He wns apparently nineteen or
twenty years Of age, probably year her
senior. He also was in evening attire, The
silence was unbrokon for a moment or two.
Then she suddenly became aware that a
pair Of eyes were fixed upon her.
why, when did you come in, JohnY she
exclaimed, going forward to meet him.
Just this moment" he answered, but
you were soaring away so far "a the realms
OF thought that you did not notice my en-
trance. OF what were you thinking just
now, Marany" be asked
20, John, haven't you heard the newsl
But Of course you have not. How silly Of
me to gsll Why we--that is, mamma and
myself are 10 leave in a few days for
England. Isn't it too bad | declare,
think IL is simply awful, for was just begin
ming to feel at home.
you don't mean to say that you are go
ing right back to Englandy Why. Marian,
you haven't been at home two months
Surely you are joking, for it seems impte
sible."
"No, no; / am not joking O, / only wish
that was To some girls the idea of trav-
cling abroad would be actual bliss. But as
for me | hate the idea Of it, Just think.
Ever since | have been able to appreciate q
home, / cannot remember having had one
Il is true look on this as home; but hsv,
spent SO little time here | can hardly call II
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 us
miserable. Papa, you know, was TO join IA
next month here ia New York, nndiwe wer,
10 live here for awhile but something ha
happened to cause him to change his plans
and so mamma and are to go back aud NEE
him in London. The iatos alone know whor
or what next. Win you miss me, Johni'
ahe asked, archly
They were young and much in love, AM
therefore said some foolish things. Later
Marian drew her wraps about her, and tn
two, laughing and talking and making plan
for the future, went out into the night.
Two days later, on the deck Of an ocea
steamer stood the girl by her mothers sid,
waving a last farewell to her friends o
shore. Apart from tho crowd and well J
view Of the girl stood the boy waving hi
handkerchief to her. Both were smiling
though there were tears in the eyes Of n
girl. and the boy felt great lump in hi
throat. And 80 the two strained their eye
watching each other until the forms Of bot
had been blurred in the distance.
For a time the letters were regular, bot
writing always Of undying love. But as II
months passed the letters became le'
regular in their arrival and departure, a
though the pretestations Of affection nev'
J wnned, and then they stopped altogethe
! The love OF summer was forgotten, III
paths henceforth led in different direction
and neither heart was broken.