Middletown transcript., 1901-07-13

imagination, beside 1T, the pure, high
bred countenance, the dainty dress, the
falr beauty, of the girl who had robbed
me of the little all I had. / knew even
IN that moment the better choice-that
even so would have chosen had ] stood
in his place.
But none the. less bitter, for such rea-
soning, were the tears which that night
fell upon my pillow. When morning
dawned l had resolved afresh to give no
further sign.
But somehow my daily tasks grew
heavier to bear; and as l watched the
graceful figure which ever and anon came
in to talk with me at my work, or lis
tened TO the low musical laugh echoing
through the old house, I would see her,
in imagination, leading Reed Barton
away into her own gay world, and Won
der how soon he would learn forgetful-
ness of the old life-I dared not say the
old love, since he had never told me that
he loved me.
"Come, Lily" / heard the sweet voice
say one morning, as was going over
again this same line of thought. II am
sure those nicely Drowned loaves, fresh
from the oven, proclaim that you should
give those flushed cheeks holiday.
Your father has just harnessed, and l
want you to take me for little drive"
It did not occupy many minutes for
me to slip off my apron and tie my hat
over my hair, which somehow would
never keep smooth.
"They made mistake, Lily, when they
named you," Miss Ellis said, when we
were out in the green lane, and the cool
air was tanning. refreshingly my burning
face. "What pity you were not called
Rose! the name would have suited you
exactly. What a pretty Rose you would
makep
ga cabbage rose would be most appro-
priate," | was about to retort, when a
quick exclamation rose to Florence's lips,
and following the direction of her eyes, I
saw crossing the field young gentleman,
fastening towards US.
In few moments he had jumped the
fence, and held out both hands to Miss
Ellis, who, could see, was white and
trembling.
He was very handsome man, under
thirty, and such look of love was in his
eyes as they rested on her face as I had
never seen before.
Florence" he exclaimed, ''this is
good fortune indeed! must speak with
you. Will you walk with me2
eyes," she answered; then, turning to
me: "Take your ride alone, Lily, dear,
and come back for me in an hour; but
say nothing to anyone"
50 she jumped from the low chaise,
and saw him draw her hand within his
arm, while his head bent low in earnest
talk, as the pony started off again on q
jog-trut down the lane.
Toor Reed! Such was my inconsis.
tency that my first thought was pity for
lis sufferings.
Somehow my woman's instinct told me
that Florence Ellis loved this stranger,
and could see that he belonged more to
her way of life; but, in the heaviness oi
nv heart, there was now no selfishness,
as, at the appointed time, l met Miss
Ellis, and she again took her place at my
side. But, oh, how changed! Her face
seemed transfgured with joy.
That evening the stranger, Mr.. Lau
renee, called. Reed too, came in about
nine o'clock; but he stayed only few
minutes, and l did not seek to detain
him.
After had gone to my room, and was
sitting by the open window, there came
faint tap at my door, and, to my answer
ing summons, Miss Ellis entered.
She had on a white wrapper covered
with lace, her lovely hair unbound and
streaming far below her waist; but before
| guessed her intention she had thrown
herself on the floor at my feet, and bur-
led her face in my lap.
II was SO happy, Lily, l could not
sleep, and I felt l must tell you, espec-
| tally, dear, as l leave you tomorrow
leave you to be married"
And then she told me how she had
loved Horace Laurence from her child
hood, but that her mother-a proud, am
bilious womau-had opposed it because
he was poor and Horace was too honor
able to urge her to take any step she
might afterward repent.
'It all looked so hopeless, Lily" she
said, in ending, "and when came, dear,
nv heart was SO sad; but an uncle OF
psraee's has died and made him rich
man, and lie brought me letter from
! mamma, saying she could no longer with
hold her consent. Oh, tell me, what
have I done to deserve such happiness?'
six weeks afterward her wedding card
reached me, and knew she had attained
her life's fultilment.
Reed Barton came and went as usual,
and I could detect no change in his
manner, not even an added gravity.
In the autumn a new SORROW came to
me- Father was brought in one day
struck down by paralysis, and realized
then how wise thing it was that was
mike nv name. On my shoulders
everything fell, and when death at last
crossed our threshold and took the poor
sufferer home, l had no time for idle sor-
row in the multitude of duties pressing
upon me. -.
The summer seemed dream-my dis
content and envy things of a past l had
no connection with-when, one evening,
as was trying to look my future calmly
in the face, felt myself drawn into two
loving arms, and, while close in their
embrace, heard, as in dream, Reed Bar
toms voice:
Il have not even asked you, Lily. !
| have taken you, dear. Your face looked
90 tired and worn as entered, that
oo,,Id not stop until / knew it was pill