Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1875-04-22
THE FORGED LETTER.

4AsA L SAs0a~ <<A - ~-@~
d
"Well, darling" ! said, catching
her two hands in mine, as We met
under the trees in the loveliest corner
of the square.
| had no other words, and she did
not need any.
The old story" looking up at me,
just glance that showed her pretty
eyes had been crying; "I--Pm here
Shirley"
Do you guess what these three
words meant? That Edna Verderay,
before the first star looked out Of the
opal SKY up above US, would be my
wife.
1t was the old story, you see, a pennL
less lover, true-hearted little woman
clinging to her faith, and parental
curse impending over both our heads.
We had done our best, and she would
have been true to father and lover
both, only it was not to be. She had
made the last attempt to day to win
a late consent to our marriage, and
had failed; she came to tell me so,
and to follow me and my fortunes
The sun was only just setting, hot
and red the long street was atame,
and its bordering palmettos looked
crested with gold. | drew her hand
tight through my arm, and We walk
ed away very quietly, for she WAS
tired, and the little hand tremhled
against my side. She only told me
that she was not afraid, that she
loved me, and she would be glad 10
rest when it was all over, and we safe
and far away together. And SO We
went on and we're married.
Then | took home my wife. 1t
was a poor home, but she was not
afraid to sweeten it with herself. and
she had said that she was glad to
came. You do not care 10 hear how
our happy time went by, and | could
not tell you; only it was very sweet,
and we were all the world TO each
o.her. She never spoke of her faith
er and mother, and never seemed to
miss them or regret what she had
lost in thca. ] never should have
known that was grief to her, but
for one day, she met me when / came
home at night, with face all spark
ling and her voice unsteady with ex
element, and even before she kissed
ne cried out:
"Ivc seen my mother !"
your mother? Has she been
here 2" | asked.
YES, Only think how glad ]
was-how surprised! She came aud
she kissed me, forgave me-" putting
her arms around my neck and be
to CRY in her sladness, "and
iorgaye you, too, and she said she
couldn't live aEd lose her only taugh-
Ter. Oh, Shirley, it WAS only one
thing more that wanted on earth .
I'm.so happy, darling"
"and your father"
"He couldn't be as kind as she
WAS" said my little wife, with her
cheek on mine. Fathers never are;
but she thought-she Was sure. she
said-that he'd forgive it all, and
that he loved Inc just as much all
the time, and it would be all right at
last, Shirley. Oh! aren't YOU happy,
too look glad tell ne you're glad,
dear you don't know how wanted
it."
/ was glad, for her sake, God
knows; for my own | never would
have cared to look on either Of their
faces again. | could not forget that
III y had made my darlin, wretched
for twelve long months; the forgive
II S" they talked Of Was IL; an in
suit to US both.
Bat all that was changed now.
Mrs. Eerlerays carriage ratified, day
alter day, down the little dull street
aud stood at Mrs. l.ecompte's door,
aud Edna Lecompte was pardoncd
and pe;ted, and carrsssed rs if Edna
Verderay had never discbeyed. And
then We wclc asked to dine ''at
home" she and |; and tie old man
greeted US both, kindly, and kissed
MS daughter with two tears in bis
cold eyes, and seemed TO bury our
old enmi,y, as he shook my hand,
and after that night it was al sun
shine between us.
But | never ceased to feel an odd
chill in my heart like a prophecy of
something bitter coming between Us
Perhaps il was because instead of
growing richer, since | married a
wife, | only grew poorer, and the
world outside our little room got
dark and threatening overhead, and
seemed only cold place for my IN
born child to inherit.
lie came 10 test its tender mer-
cies, just with the early winter, and,
as he came Edna was very nigh go
ing out forever. She was i delicate
little thing, AMI needed 50 much pot