Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-06-24
BY MRS. 7. GODFREY.

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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
Joined her tremulous treble to the re-
sponse:
Good Lord, deliver usi"
sThen she covered down with
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 Barbaras eyes moistened.
Something in the girls rosy face re-
minded her of days long dead. The
swift movement Of the small. brown
hand as 1t slid confidently into the
young mans, under the pew ledge,
sent a CULVER Of exquisite pain into
the old maids breast with 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, apd, 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 a country lane, her heart
throbbing with the remembrance of
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 shR
was "going softly.' that nothing
panied her pAeh nor gave her exces-
sive Joy. imagining that her heart had
died in the lane fiecked 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 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 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
thronged 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
claimed her attention. It shone like
FURNISHED brass, and here and there
captured sunbeam dazzled the en-
chanted eye with elfIike mischief.
Miss Barbara's S hands trembled SO
violently as she looked. that she
dropped the book into the seat be-
fore her. The girl turned quickly
and handed 1t back, with such a smile
Of bewitching charm. and sparkling
dimples, that Miss Barbara quailed
The blue dancing eyes pierced her to
the soul, and sent her bewildered
thoughts eircling back to the forbid
den past.
When the voice of the people
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 ont
in the sun-baked ehurchyard, on the
soft. green grass. and the hlue-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 tainted" 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.
Il felt queer. ] remember This is
the first time have ever done such
a foolish thing. Thank you very
much for your kindness. And now /
will go home"
But in spite Of her protestations
they insisted on accompanying her up
the long village street. And as she
walked between them. a tiny, dainty
figure. with her sweet. wildrose face,
and silver hair. her heart regained its
calm and she met the girls blue eyes
with q X G pleasure. Yes ]
girl A. OS1uI and good she
de y ~ ( happiness ~
her 3