The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-06-23

Lonely Miss Barbara.
BY MRS. T. GODFREY.
a.

From envy, hatred and
malice. and all uncharitableness .
The rector's rich, full voice floated
down the hushed church, rousing
echoes in Miss Barbara Lynn's shriv-
eled heart. She dropped her head in
her hands with a little sigh, and
ioined her tremulous treble to the re-
sponee:
Good Lord, deliver us"
Then she covered down with a
shiver. peeping at the girl in front of
her between her fingers How fresh,
how young, how happy she seemed as
she knelt close by the young man, ev-
identity her lover.
Miss Barbara's eyes moistened.
Something in the girls rosy face re-
minded her of days long dead. The
hand as it slid confidently into the
young mans, under the pew ledge,
sent quiver of exquisite pain into
the old maids breast. With a gasp
she closed her eyes, and tried to con-
centrate her thoughts on the prayers.
But instead they wandered back into
the glade of youth, and, with the
tantalizing image OF those two before
her. feeling of rebellion against her
fate surged over her, and she felt her
self indeed hyprocrite. for the Lord
had not yet delivered her from the
throes of envy.
The sense of her shortcoming over
Uhelmed her with horror, and al
though force of habit made her chime
in with the congregation, her mind
was in country lane, her heart
throbblng with the remembrance of
a tall youth, with sun-kissed curls
and blue eyes like the blue of heaven.
For years she had not so let her
mind dwell on such things, but had
lived her quiet life feeling that she
was going SOFTLY" that nothing
panied her much nor gave her excess
sive Joy. imagining that her heart had
died in the lane flecked witt dancing
shadows of leaves and the golden
light of the setting sun, when her
lover had kissed her good-by, long
years ago.
And 10, the sight of strange,
handsome young couple had awak-
ened the old aching pain, and re-
minded her of what might have been,
The rustic of the rising crowd
swept through the building like the
rush of hurried sea. Mechanically
she rose also, her sweet face flushed
by the pink of emotion, her eyes shin
ing dark through unshed tears, her
snow-white hair RULED by nervous
hands.
She must be brave. Lovers still
thronsed the world, though she had
Fad her day and was no longer young.
She opened her hymn book and
held 1t upside down, for the girls hair
Claimed her attention. 1t shone like
FURNISHED brass, and here and there
a captured sunbeam dazzled the en-
chanted eye with elflike mischief.
Miss Barbaras hands trembled so
violently as she looked, that she
dropped the book into the seat be-
fore her, The girl turned quickly
and handed it back, with such smile
OF bewltching charm, and sparkling
dimples, that Miss Barbara quailed
Ihe blue dancing eyes pierced her to
the soul, and sent her bewilGered
thoughts circling back to the forbid
den past.
When the voice of the people
scared up on high, Miss BarAaras S re-
NAMED silent. The thrill of the
music added to her emotion, she
cicsed her eyes, and imagined she
was looking once more into those like
the blue of heaven. Again she felt
the loved arms around her and leaned
against the brave young breast, while
on her chaste lips she felt a kiss.
Ihen, suddenly, cold wind swept
over her, and the murmur of voices
ieil on her ears. With a shudder she
raised her heavy eyelids and stared
around in surprise, for she was out
IN the sun-baked churchyard, on the
holt' green grass. and the blue-eyed
siri was bending over her, anxiety in
her pretty face.
DO you feel better?" she asked
Yes" stammered Miss Barbara,
her cheeks unfurling the flag of con-
fusion as her gaze fell on the young
man. who was supporting her in his
arms.
lie helped her to her feet.
You tainted" he exnIained "and
we brought you out"
She smiled. wondering what they
would say. II she told them she had
not tainted, that she had merely
rested In the arms of her long-lost
'oFe and said goodbye once more.
81. II Is good Of you," she murmured.
ieit queer. ! remember. This is
tue hrst time l have ever done such
foolish thing. Thank you very
much for your kindness. And now /
viii go home"
BUT In spite of her protestations
.ney insisted on accompanying her up
ene long village street. And as she
walked between them, a tiny, dainty
nsure. with her sweet, wildrose face,
anu SILVER hair, her heart regained its
cain and she met the girls blue eyes
with a thrill of pleasure. Yes, the
siri was beautiful and good. She
deserved all the happiness the world
her ' ~ -
At the little white cottage. covered