Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-09-14
t Lifting the Shadows !
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THE fourth-story lodger was always
busy. Great boxes of flowers and
chiffons came to her room, to be sent
out again in bewildering creations,
tied up in dainty white boxes, marked
"E. Downing Inilliner." But no one
ever came to her rooms, except her
customers, to the great surprise of tie
curious old lady who dwelt in the rear
and kept close watch for year over
the slender, pretty, black-gowned lit
fle milliner.
No one-that is, with one exception.
One day tall woman, clad in deep
mourning, had climbed the steep
stairs and remained closetcd in the
fourth-story front room for hours.
Voices rose high. but the curious ears
in the rear could catch no word until
the door opened and a soft voice,
which she recognized as the little mil
liners, exclaimed:
Leave him? Never-never!"
elizabeth, may you never regret
your determination. Your parents, at
least, have fulfilled their duty" re-
piled the lady in mourning, as she
beth Downing closed her door and
sank down among the chiffons and
flowers, sobbing-sobbing so bitterly
that her tears fell upon the soft
masses, crushing their freshness.
"How cruel they are! 1t is their
pride, not their love, which is killing
me. My God, how have suffered, and
must for four long years. She
dragged herself to the window and
stared up at the sky, gradually cloud
ing in the soft haze of spring twi-
light. At last her eyes rested upon
the evening star-his favorite star.
Her thoughts flew back to that night
beside the lake, so peaceful IN its quiet
beauty, that she had turned to him
and whispered:
''How / love to live! If this mo-
ment could only last forever!"
But telegram had broken in upon
her delight, recalling Jack to town on
business. Fatal word that had broken
so many women's hearts!
They must return at once, Jack ex-
planned, and she had quieted her re-
grets, stified by the anxious lines that
furrowed his face. Suddenly, as she
moved about the room, gathering uI
their belongings, he had clasped hel
an his arms, saying:
elizabeth, if you ever learned
He paused an instant, then resumed
slowly: "If anyone should speak il
of me to you, would you still low,
me?"
Nothing could make me doub
you"
"But if I deserved ito"
''You?"
She trembled at his discomposed fea
lures, but answered, firmly:
"Even if you deserve it,"
She remembered every detail of tina
cherries journey to town, and tn,
rough men who had met them in tn,
station. She still felt Jacks trembling
lips pressed to hers in farewell kiss
go home to your parents, love;
must be away so long"
The anguish of those first day
swept over her again. But she woulc
wait for him, would help him expiat,
his sin, and then together they woul,
go forth into the world and live dow
the dark stain O. their past,
And so she continued in her life o
.abnegation, until one spring day sh
moved from the little room into
dainty apartment near by and busie,
herself preparing a gown of soft whit
material. The lines faded from he
face, faint rose tint flushed he
cheeks and glad light shone in he
eyes.
Then one evening she appeared &
the white gown, great cluster OF re-
roses at her breast, and stood look
ing around in the soft glow that tn
shaded lamp shed over the little par
ior with its cluster of roses like thos
she wore.
"Jack's favorite flowers" she mur
injured. II wonder will he motto