The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-24
SELECT STORY.
A DOUBLE NEEDING.

thin, chilled limbs IN her own VelVe
cloak, carried me in her arms to hel
home, to luxury, ease and love. nevei
had been loved. My mother loved gin
and not her child. was fed when drinI
had made her good beater
when drink had aroused brutal demon
in her heart. tell this that 1t may b
Understood what owed to Marjori'
Wallace. No, ] can never tell IL. She
carried me to her home; she clothed ME
in garments as soft and az fine a. her own
she shared every luxury of her splendid
home with me; she gave me teachers for
all studies suited to my age. As l gre"
10 hood she introduced me TO so
- her adopted SISTER. Best Of all
ne!
twenty-five when she took me
I'd for eight years ! can recall
nappiness. | had no whim un-
,uti..d no reasonable wish crossed OF
denied. If | had been indeed the sister
she called me she could not have lavish
ed upon me more tender care and affec
tion.
When l was eighteen had lover
who won my whole heart. ] gave him
love, unconsciously. and when his words
showed me what my own sensations
meant shrank back affrighted. With
the intuition of deep, grateful affection,
/ knew that Marjorie had wrapped up
her life in mine. She stood utterly
alone in the world. Her paid compan-
ion and housekeeper was a matron OF
middle age, whose whole soul was abb
sorbed in preserves, pickles, and crochet
work. In her loneliness she had taken
me into her great, noble heart, and when
left her knew should leave her des-
olate. .
So I shrank back from the avowal that
was such an ecstacy of delight, such a
bitter self-reproach- ! thought ] had
conquered all traces of emotion IN my
face as ] went from the garden where we
had walked-my lover and myself-to
Marjorie,a sitting room. But she looked
into my face, with her soft, beautiful
eyes shadowed by troubled inquiry.
"Have you quarreled with StePhen?"
she asked.
"No-I have not quarreled-we-
that isl do not think he will come
again"
For the first time she frowned sternly.
ais it possible that you are that base
triHer, q coquette." she said in voice
full of indignation, 'that you have led
Stephen to believe that you loved him
only from vanity, and have rejected his
honest, true lOve?"
In my deep pain that she could so
misjudge me / sobbed out the truth,
that loved Stephen, but it seemed to
me base ingraiitude to desert her.
"Child! childi" she said softly, gath
ering me in her arms, "Heaven forbid
your life should be sacrificed to me!
Did you ever hear among our friends of
my love story?"
"NeverI' said, earnestly. "But
knew there was a great grief in yonr
life, at some time. could see that in
your eyes. even in your smile. 1t is
tender and sweet but never joyous"
"When l was your age,". she said,
gently stroking my hend as she spoke.
81 was called handsome, and was as
light hearted as bird. My orphanhood
was an event 40 long past that have no
recollection of my parents; but my uncle
was father and dear companion to me.
He was wealthy man, and gave me ev-
cry advantage wealth can hestOw. And
when Arnold Halcombe-"
started at that name, but Marjorie
did not notice, continuing her story:
-''wooed me for his wife, Uncle Charles
made no objection, though my lover was
u poor man, compared to my uncle. We
were very happy in those days, very
happy! Arnold was q true, noble man
one to whom love was a sacred word, a
woman's heart a sacred trust. We had
OcCh OChOhHCA HAA "hCh
Thanksgiving Day was drawing near,
and Uncle Charles decided to accept an
invitation to spend the day with some
city friends; and remain at hatel for a
week, to give me an opportunity to do
some shopping. For in the spring
was to be Arnold Halcombe's wife. We
started off gayly, and spent a most de-
lightful week in New York. Uncle
Charles was resident there during sew
eral years before he retired from bust
ness, and could take me to visit all points
of interest. We made large purchases
for my bridal outfit, and returned home.
''Alasi we returned, mourning heavi-
ly, where we had left so gayly. Upon
our trip from the city, Uncle Charles,
in some way, made a false step upon the
platform of a railroad car, and fell, IN
juring himself so severely that immedi-
late amputation Of both legs became
necessary. II was in my power then ia
repay the devotion and care that had
been lavished upon me, and faithfully
endeavored to alleviate my dear uncle's
sufferings in every way in my power.
ut was then, dear, that my heart was
torn as yours is torn to-day. The besest
ingratitude seemed TO me involved in
my marriage, necessitating a divided
duty, even if my husband would con
sent TO live here. That, too, / hesita
ted to ask, for, AZ you know, the liz,
here will better suit retired elderly
man or woman than young, ambitioui
aspirant for the worlds honors and prof
its. So / made my choice"
"But yonr choice was to remain with
your uncle"
ayes, dear, ! remained here. Arnolc
Halcombs, the noblest man ! ever knew
did not make my duty harder by ange
at his dismissal. Very sadly he admit
ted the necessity OF the case and left me
Even then he would have corresponde,
with me, have held himself bound: bn
that would not permit. My uncle
life was not in danger, and wonld no