The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1904-04-15

affected. though with fortune peThsps
impaired as had been those OF many
Southern families. including all the
Beauchamp line
To this strong haven OF refuge had
come Mary Ellen Beauchamp from
the far-of Western plains. after the
death OF her other relatives In that
venture so ill.starred. The white
haired old widow who now represent
ed the head OF the Clayton family
her hin somewhat removed. but none
the less her cousins" after the com.
prehenslvo Southern fashion-had
taken Mary Ellen 90 her bosom. up
braiding her for ever dreaming OF
going into the barbarian West. and
listening but little 10 the plea OF the
girl that poverty had driven her to
the company of those who, like her.
self. were poor. Now. such had been
the turn OF the wheel. the girl was
nearly as rich in money as her older
relative. and able % assume what lit
tie OF social position there remained
in her ambition.
Mary Ellen was now we'll past
twcrty-seven, a tall. matured. and
somewhat sad-faced woman. upon her
brow written something OF the sor-
rows and uncertainties OF the homo
less woman, as well as the record OF
growing self.rellanCo. II Mary FL
len were happy or not none might
gay. yet surely she was dutiful and
kind; and gradually. with something
OF the leadership she had learned IN
her recent liie. she slipped into prac-
tical domestic command OF this quiet
but punctilious mCnage. by reason
~ an equal executive fitness Aunt
Lucy rose in the kitchen also 90 full
command The Widow Clayton found
her cousin Mary Ellen a stay and
comfort, useful and practical 10 a de-
gree unknown In the education OF the
Southern young lady Of the time.
or her life I'm the West Mary Ellen
spoke but little. though never wits
hardness. and az times almost with
wistfulness. Her history had seemed
too fun OF change 20 be reality For
the future she made no plans. II
seemed TO her TO be her fate ever 10
bee an alien. a lookcron. The roses
dropped across her lattice. and tho
blue grass stood cool and soft and
deep beyond her window. and the kind
air carried the Groom of the wooins
hooking bird: yet there persisted In
her brain the picture OF a wide. gray
land. with the sound OF an urgent
wind singing IN the short, tulted
grasses. and the breath Of a summons
over on the air. out there upon the
Plains Il had been ever morning.
Here life seemed ever sinking toward
its eventide.
This old family and the family
house were accepted unquestioningly
by the quiet Southern community
now. as they had ever been. as a part
of the aristocracy OF the land. and as
appurtenances thereto. The way OF
life had little change. The same
rrooms led cut the horses from the
stables the same slow figures cut the
grass upon the lawn. Yet no longer
we're the doors thrown open upon n
sea OF light and color. The horses
were groomed and broken, but they
brought no great carriage OF state
sweeping up the drive between the
lion-headed pillars OF tho gateway.
When Mrs. Clayton feebly sought TO
propose brighter ways OF life fOT the
young woman, the latter told her gen
tly that for her. too. life was planned
and done, the struggle over. and that
she only asked that she might rest,
and not take up again any questions
for readjustment.
You will change after n while.
honey" said her protectrcss; but
Mary Ellen only smiled. II was enough
To rest here In this haven. safe from
the surging seas of doubt and hope
and fear, OF love and sclf-distrust. Let
II be settled. Let II be ended. For
her no cavalier should ever como rid.
ing up the graveled way. nor should
lights ever set dancing again the sha.
dows In the great dining hail over tho
heads Of guests assembled in her hon
or II was done-nnishod. And Mary
Ellen Was not yet twenty-olght.
ITO be continued.)
JAPS GIVEN TO ATHLETtCS