The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1907-07-27

~. lDy Ne.e pieage1 10 a ~,-er.
he told his mother the welcome It'd
ings that night and when Laura en-
tered the room the next day, with a
shyness quite new to her, she received
a mothers kiss and blessing.
Laura smiled over her old dead TO
nance. Doubt, uncertainty, as mis-
understanding or two, and a good deal
of unhappiness, had made the sum
total. Instead all was the very plain
est sailing. After Johns return, he
fell into a regular courtship, and
three months later, when he found it
necessary to take quite an extended
business trip, he insisted upon a mar
riage.
Laura demurred at first, but finally
after the manner Of women, allowed
herself to be overruled.
They loved each other very much.
His regard had been the warmest and
most unreasonable in the beginning;
hers, Of slower growth, went silently
to the very depths Of her soul, and at
length touched every chord Of her be-
ing.
And so they came to another sum
mer. Mrs. Parker did not regain her
full strength after her illness, and her
sister, who lived at the seaside, in
sisted upon taking her thither for a
change. In the meanwhile, Laura's
sister, Mrs. Walton, came to make her
a visit.
John had been his mothers escort,
and Just returned, They sat round the
t~ea-table, Mrs. Walton chatting in a
merry fashion. John was mentioning
some people whom he had met.
There was a bride-Mr. and Mrs,
Eustace-and the groom was a real
handsome young fellow, but ~dreadfully
conscious
"Oh, Laura! it's Harry Eustace. ]
forgot to tell you. You heard that he
had a fortune?"
mol" and Laura looked up with a
mirthful smile.
Eyes. Some old maiden aunt or 9th
er left him $4,000, the story goes, and
this Miss MCGEE whom he has mar
ried is worth $50 1000 or 100000, See
what you missed"
"All owing to a cruel father" and
Laura laughed in spite of herself.
We'll, l suppose we all do foolish
things in our salad days, as Cleopatra
calls them"
A look in her husbands eyes led
Laura to change the subject. John
had confessed that he was exacting,
and might be jealous, but she had
only smiled over the announcement
when 1t was made. If he demanded
a good deal, he also gave generously.
Could such a foolish thing distress
him?
He was undeniably grave. Laura
was glad when they could be alone.
Placing her arm around his neck, and
dropping on one knee, a kind Of pet
fashion she had, she kissed him
fondly.
John" she began, did you feel
troubled about what Kate said?
should have told you if it had been of
any importance. l was not quite II
when this Harry Eustace fell des.
perately in love with me. He was
barely 20, handsome, and morbidly he
roic, but indolent, and with no sort
of pride or ambition. Father would
not consent to an engagement, and
sent me away to school. / thought II
| very cruel, and tried to make myself
[ as miserable as possible; but wheT
l returned home with a years growth
of sense and judgment, l found his
sentimental nonsense dreary trash in
deed, and had no further desire to con
tinue the acquaintance
But l suppose he was not you
only lover?" Mr.. Parker asked, a lit
tie coldly.
"Laura's face was scarlet, partl
from a feeling of delicacy, partly il
dignation.
Very few girls reach the age c
20 without having had one or NOR
lovers. Yet l think the love l shout
have given at II would have bee
very immature and ~unreasoning.
should have married then to please
4 crude, girlish fancy; now l have lear
ed the s%aoredness of life, and woul
I take no mans love without being SUI
that l could give every thought of N
soul in return"
4 Thank you for the confidence" an
A there it ended.
a Laura was a little wounded, and t
1 proud to make any further ~confessio
She rose and began to busy herse
about some trifle.
1t actually seemed to John Park
that he had received a mortal bio
That this woman, in whom he hi
hit placed the most implicit faith, WI
,e- had solemnly assured him that he W
lot her first love, should now confess
he fancy for another, and even hint tn
er that there had been more than on
rd But regret was of no avail. He COZ
he not undo the past. He had yielded
a hasty passion, and blighted a i
that he had dreamed would be
ce. happy. His faith in Laura was sh
..zl