Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-08-22
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irregular Latin verbs 10 the strokes Of that
monster? / feel inclined to adopt the mod
ern pronunciation Of the immortal orators
name and say kik-er-oi 0, ! beg your
| pardon, Naomi; was that your foot! Wei
I'm going out l promised 10 run up and
see Marie Leigham tonight. Perhaps when
come back my tormentor viii have grown
weary or run down. Do let him run down.
Naomi You don't mind being lett for a
little while alone, dear!"
mot at all, dear" answered Naomi
Romer, eheerfully.
Naomi is always eheerful-too cheerful,
rolden-haired little Lilliard says some
| times, petulantly. But then, Naomi is 80,
and it is years that bring the phiosophie
mind"
Eighteen years ago, when Naomi was 10.
she had received baby Lilliard, her newly
born stepsister, as the legacy from the hands
Of dying mother mild" who
Said with accents undefled.
Child, be. mother to this child"
And Naomi has fulfilled that trust well.
When, ten years later. their father gay,
debonair Ernest Romer, LATEST and most
charming Of men and artists, had followed |
his wife, leaving her two children utterly |
unprovided for, Naomi had quietly and nat |
urally-everything Naomi does is quiet and |
natural-slipped into the position Of bread |
winner and house provider. Then had come |
a over, too poor to provide for both Naomi |
and Iilliard; then he had gone away to |
make a fortune in distant lands, and for
eight years Naomi had never heard OF him.
Those eight years had not been al pain
There had been many homey pleasures
for the girl who had sacrificed her own
happiness that she might minister to tie
wants and provide for those left 20 her care.
That the lover was often thought 0f was
true, but there were no hewailings 10 make
Others unhappy, ard for an that they could
read in her quiet nature she was the con.
tended sister-mother that she always seemed
to them
Now Liliiard is able to help Naomi In her
little school, and the two sisters are happy
enough. only-Lillard is Young and beauu
fui, and sometimes she frets
There comes a ring az the door bell, and
little Alice Sparrow, Naomis maid 81 al /
work. puts 10 her head 70 say: A gentle
man for you, please, miss"
Naomi rises IN surprise as q tan, wen built {
man, with a sunburnt complexion and q )
head Of tawuy hair, enters, and, striding 10 |
her side, takes her hand
Naomi, have you forgotten me, Martin
ColquhounY
For a moment the room swims round :
Naomi, but the next she has recovered her
ief, and is saying quite oalmly-how il as.
.onishes Der 70 hear her own voice:
How do you doy did not know You 9
we're in Washington
i only came yesterday" he says, eagerly, I
so ypu see | have not lost much time Z
ound out your address in the directory Z
What a grand institution il j.! Ma
mi, you are not changed. Am II"
She smiles a little. Il would know you
'ut you are changed"
II shall tel you al BY and by" he saws. Il
nd az that moment Liiliard mshes III.
Marie is out; is il not q shame| Then s
be pauses, blushing, and Naomi introduces
he two r.
$50 you are Llliard?" says Martin Col. Il
uhoun, smiling. Il remember you as a y,
my girl IN short dresses, who always .,
'arched in my pockets fer chocolates. Are !.
gu as fond Of them yets"
Il believe | am, says Lilliard laughing =
hen she sits down, and so does Martin | o
olquhoun, and they spent a pleasant even | p
ly, evening together, Martin telling them CO
j Of the dangers he has passed in the b,
aarch for a fortuue-which il seems he has
und-and partaking Of the homely little q,
lpper Naomi orders with great zest h,
Martin Colquhoun calls again and again $,
Ie comes in the evenings, when Naomi
lays, and he and Lilliard SIT in the window
1gether. lie calls in the Afternoon and
lkes them driving ID the park and 20 Noun, fe
ernon, and be and Lilliard generally sit
lgether, and do most Of the talking: and
scasionally he takes them 70 a concert or v,
ie opera. And every day Naomi feels thai
le trial Of her life is drawing near.
But why should She grudge il? She loves
illiard. She Observation-Disclosures She
ssires the happiness Of both As for her, II
lly means that her sky VIII grow a little 81
aver, her life a little emptier: but at 80 SC
e tells herself, one does not feel the pain so
keenly az at 90 br
One evening he calls. billiard Is out and bl
aomi alone. He looks strangely nervous to
r him-for Colquhoun is one Of those III
'oadminded, healthy-souled men whose
rong masculine personality always seems -
bring an invigorating breeze into a mar. u
w, feminine household. Is
Il have called TO tell you / shall have to IN
v vood-hv." be said abruptly. II en-
ing away on Monday" an
Going away!" Naomi echoes, family. co
Yes, for four years. Nv business re- DR.
iires me. And have come tonight toto in
y something that mears great deal to me ~
that all my future happiness depends on. -
is Romer" pa
Naomi's heart IS still The blow is coming sh
en-. ca
i think / can guess what it IS" she saws
ndering il her voice sounds strange and sci
natural. "AIr. Colquhoun, VIII DO the 70
81 can. desire your happiness as much ~,
las Lilliard's" -
He seizes her hands.
'Then-you are willing? You have--have "e
ought Of it, he asks. little us;eadily. WI
/ have no right to be anything else" she sh'
swers, smilingly. eli Liliard is willing. VIII
It Is al that you require"
He looks at her in bewilderment.
'Liliard? ] do not understand YOU. Ma
i. What has Lilliard TO do With its y
MT you understand, dear. that love Won WI