Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-03-14
AFALSEFRlEND,
By G. E. STONE.

ment, struggling between duty anG
inclination. The day had been al
eventful one in her life, for she haC
been the recipient of two proposals
both from young men qualified to make
good husbands, though entirely differ
ent in their disposition and circum
| stances.
The one, Robert Kenard, son and
sole heir OF the wealthy and aristo.
cratic banker. William kenard, of the
firm of kenard, Atkinson & Potter
and reputed to be worth half million
The other, Frank Sedley, a clerk in
the Office of Kenard, Atkinson & Pot
| ter, with feeble mother and young
sister relying on his arm for their
| support.
! Robert kenard was rich, handsome
/ and good tempered easily led to do
good or evil with little strength OF
character loving fattery, and OF
rather extravagant tastes, fostered by
the tender care of rich and indulgent
parents
Frank Sedley, on the contrary. had
always been used to the rough side OF
life. His father died a bankrupt when
he was but boy of sixteen, and he
was left to battle with the world alone.
He entered the employ of Kenard,
Atkinson & Potter as an Office boy, and
had risen by gradual stages to the po-
sition OF g confidential clerk. 8
! Through his integrity and strict atten-
ton to business, be had become almost
Indispensable to the firm.
Both felt they were sincerely in love
with the beautiful and accomplished
Mary Eaton.
Her father, Jacob Eaton, was quite
an old man, with no family but his
daughter
Some little time previous he had
failed IL business and when Mary
told him Of her two offers, he strongly
recommended accepting Robert Ken
ard.
"Of course. Mary" said he. evou
Will be guided by tie dictates OF your
own heart, but for the sake of your
old father. try and fix 7our choice on
Robert Kenard. Frsnl Sedley is 8
nice young man. but he is poor, and
has mother aud sister dependent on
him, while Robert Kenard is wealthy
and would surround you with every
luxury, and perhaps lend helping
hand to your poor father"
Nothing moro was said on the SUBJ
ject: but, after the daughter had re-
turned to her room, she had n long
struggle between what she considered
her duty and inclination.
Duty prompted her TO marry Robert
konard and please her father: incli-
nation melted her to bestow her hand
on Frank Sediey, and be happy. -
1T last duty triuznphed, and the next
mornings mail bore to Robert kenard
:. messenger of bliss, and to Frank
Sedley G herald Of woe.
SO rich Robert kenard and lovely
Mary Eaton We're engaged, and the
time fast approached when their nup-
tia,s should he celebrated.
90, Robert :" exclaimed Mary, one
evening. as her lover entered the Dar-
lor, give ne jog I have prevailed
on my dear friend, Marion Rupert.. 10
spend The winter with ne. Isn't it
Jolly ?
Ie-vcs. J 'sposa So" drowled ont
Robert, ''hut Ia rather she wouId'nt
come myself
go, you horrid, selfish thing. I'm
glad she's coming you viii ike her
well yor can't help It, she's SO hand
some Such splendid yellow hair, and
such complexion -
%, a tow-headed blonde, exclaimed
Robert, petu;antlT
Well If you don't Ike sfarion, you
haven't any taste tL-' all :! retorted
Mary.
or--frel, but 1t was cut short by the en-
lance of caller
A week later, Marion Rupert arrived,
and a truly beautiful woman she was
enough TO turn any mans head.
Notwithstanding her manifold charms
Robert was blind to her attractions and
appeared so indifferent on the subject.
that Mary became almost angry with
him.
Spite Of her beauty, -d>rion Rupert
was false hearted and jealous OF t.a
love Robert lavished on his affianced.
She determined to win him from Mary,
if possible.
Mary would often leave them to-
gether purposcly, 40 that Robert
might have chance to notice how
handsome her friend really was
This had the desired effect, but that
was not the end of it. From noticing
he soon came to aimiring ad-
mirine to loving was To him but q step,
and before tl.t. winter was half over ne
was madIy in love with Marion Rupert.
One night during this state of afIairs,
they were all intending to go TO bal,
and Robert had called for Mary and
Marion but, when Just on the eve OF
starting, Mary sprained her ankle; so
she concluded not to go, but insisted
on Marion and Robert going. Only
too glad to comply. they needed but
little urging, and 80 OFF they went.
leaving Mary to read Trollope's latest
| AMI nurse her niured ankle.
| Robert WAS SO infatuated with his
| comDanion that he determined to IS
cayta;n, Is possible. her feelings tow&rt;
| him 'oei, y, returning home. 50, after
the ball, ne privately told the coach
| man TO drive around p square ill he
was ordered diiferertlv, and leaped "a
the carriage after Mai,ic3.
| After a few minutes of silence be
leaned over toward her and said in I
| low voico:
| = Nur:or-Stiss Rupert, yon VIII not
| lie @ ofen.ied if tell yo;l sonnet hing p
| " No. she replied, biushing slightly
| Il iIaYo felt Icr some time past, he
| continued, THAT ] love yuu. ..nd that
my happiness viii not he completed
without your love. Can ,yo1-tio yoE
! love he :?
go! Robert. how caa you taIA SO
what would Mary say Don't ycz
love her 2 I
Ny love for her :s nothing ora
pared with ray love iuG yo;l, IE"h
But consent 20 be mine. add | vb ciS'
her of ar,i forget she ever esss'ed.--
Then We shall ever l5e hawy III :tcii
others love = iic cxcla:rsT?' c'a5L''n.
her hand passionateIv M covering il
with burning kisses.
Her heart bounded nth tr.a;hph.---
Marv's lover w3e a. a"r iret ichousd
she yiold his i.,pT:tunitics, OF cH''.
over her victory: out sne chose the for
mer, and Ro!yct sent The following
letter TO The .aonan whom he had 81
foully wroseed
) .I hav' ceased to love you, If ever
, did soI think va had better par
f1ryer Far some time past [ hav'
Iovex Your friend, Marion Rupert
, Lot night ] discovered that nny low
. vas rcciprocated. This morning "
tv9ere married, and when you receiv
1 this we shall he on our way TO Ne1