The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-07-06

From envy, hatred and
snaIice, 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
Aer hands with a little sigh, and
Joined her tremulous treble to the re-
gponse:
Good Lord, deliver us!"
Then she covered down with a
shiyer, peeping at the girl in front of
Aer between her fingers How fresh,
now young, how happy she seemed as
ghe knelt close by the young man, ev-
identity her lover.
Miss Barbara's eyes moistened.
Bomething in the girls rosy face re-
minded her of days long dead. The
Aand as it slid confidently into the
young mans, under the pew ledge,
sent a culver of exquisite pain into
ahe old maids breast. With a gasp
Bhe closed her eyes, and tried to con-
eentrate her thoughts on the prayers
But instead they wandered back into
ahe glade of youth, and, with the
tantalizing image of those two before
Aer, a feeling of rebellion against her
fate surged over her, and she felt her.
self indeed hyprocrite, for the Lord
Rad not yet delivered her from the
ahroes of envy.
The sense of her shortcoming over
whelmed her with horror, and al
Enough force of habit made her chime
Rn with the congregation, her mind
was in a country lane, her heart
throbbing with the remembrance of
q 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 eXces-
sive JOY, imagining that her heart had
died in the lane flecked with dancing
shadows of leaves and the golden
Hight of the setting sun, when her
lover had kissed her good-by, long
years ago.
And 10, the sight of a 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 a 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-whte hair rufIled by nervous
hands.
She must be brave. Lovers still
shronged the world, though she had
had her day and was no longer young.
She opened her hymn book and
held it upside down. for the girls hair
slaimed her attention. 1t shone Ike
FURNISHED brass, and here and the-e
a captured sunbeam dazZled the en-
chanted eye with elflike mischief.
Miss Barbara's bands 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 bewitching charm, and sparkling
dimples, that Miss Barbara quailed.
The blue daucing eyes pierced her to
ahe soul and sent her bewildered
ahoughts circling back to the forbid
den past.
1,A Nf hn nV1n
scared up on high, Miss Barbara's re-
manned silent. The thrill of the
music added to her emotion, she
closed 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 kiss.
Then, suddenly, cold wind swept
over her, and the murmur of voices
fell on her ears. With shudder she
raised her heavy eyelids and stared
around in surprise, for she was out
I'm the sun-baked churchyard on the
soft, green grass, and the blue-eyed
girl 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.
He helped her to her feet.
"You fainted," he explained, "and
We brought you out"
She smiled. wondering what they
would say if she told them she had
not tainted, that she had merely
rested in the arms of her long-lost
love and said goodbye once more.
1T is good of you," she murmured.
] felt queer, ] remember. This is
1he first time l have ever done such
. foolish thing. Thank you very
much for your kindness. And now
win go home"
But in spite of her protestations
they insisted on accompanying her up