The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-02-25
SELECT STORY.
AFTER MANY SORROWS.

Many were the gay assemblies had
attended, and many, too. were the invi-
tations ! had declined, for no other
reasons but that nv pride revolted from
always accepting and never bestOwing
them.
Not that it was good Aunt Martha's
fault, she who had been to me from earl
lest infancy as a beloved mother; had
she but possessed the means, ! might
have filled her house with guests from
cellar to roof, and she would only have
felt pleasure in my enjoyment.
But she was the widow of a country
clergyman, and every one knows that
snch are not apt to abound la riches; IN
fact, Aunt Martha regarded herself a.
especially bleSt inasmuch ~ she was left
in her own comfortable home. with sufi-
cient income for her support, with care
and frugaity.
Doubly thankful WAS she for this
blessing when the death. of her onlv
brother left his pennileSs orphan with
no protection on earth save herself.
She had promised him to be mother
to his child, and nobly had she kept her
word No pleasure, no enjoyment, that
her -qited means could afford were de-
MED, ne, and thus it CHANGED that,
denying herself. she sent ont invitations
for the evening of my eighteenth birth
day.
1t was midsummer; the day was an
usually hot; so we arranged that while
the refreshments should be served in the
large, old-fashioned parlor, the games
and dancing should take place on the
lawn, the generous light bestowed BY
the moon being extended into the shad-
ed portions by lanterns suspended from
the trees.
az have asked our new neighbors,
Mabel" said my aunt, as we awaited
the coming of our guests; "Mrs. Wilton
and her daughter, and that Young
nephew of hers: he is an orphan, they
say, and she brought him up: he has
Just received the degree Of Bachelor of
Arts" at college. Hush here they
come now"
A carriage rolled up to the door, and
from it alighted gentleman, quickly
followed by two ladies.
Mrs Wilton was tall, dignifed wo-
man, her hair white as snow, her face
still bearing traces Of the beauty which
had been hers in years gone by; her
manner cordial and unaffected, yet twas
il prescience of the future?) shrank
hurriedly from her friendly greeting,
and turned with a sense of relief toward
her daughter, a fair, bright haired beau
ty, whose frail figure, transparent COM
plexion indicated one of those delicate
organizations which are ill fitted to cope
with the sorrows and trials of life.
A gentle, amiable, loving creature was
Laura Wilton, and, perhaps, from the
very contrast to my own cold, energetic
spirit, soon learned to love and cherish
her as a dear friend.
She, on her part even on that first ev-
ening Of our acquaintance, seemed equal
ly attracted toward me and whithersoev-
er went, followed closely in my foot
steps, ever attended by her cousin.
Stacy Pprcival was tall and finely
formed-one of natures noblemen-and
so widely different from those had been
accustomed to meet that listened with
rapt attention to the rich, mellow voice
which lent an interest to the most tri-
fling words.
That evening was the beginning of a
new epoch in my life.
The summer wore, on, and scarce a
day passed that did not find Stacy,
Laura and myself in close companion
ship.
Riding, boating and walking, the
time went rapidly on, until the chill
days of autumn surprised us, and then
Mrs. Wilton and Laura departed for the
city, to remain through the winter
months
And Stacy Percival accompanied them
II was rude shock, this suddenly awak-
ening from the sweet dream like life in.
to which had insensi blv .glided. had
been SO happy and contented with my
lot, the hours had flown 80 rapidly that
l had no time to pause and consider
what it meant-that strange joy which
filled my heart and made the whole
earth seem radiant with beauty.
But now that it is all over, now thai
| was left in my loneliness again, my
- 9eart took counsel with itself, and whis.
cents.
I loved Stacy Percival! Yes, it wal
too trne loved him-unasked, unsought
| had given my heart to a stranger, anC
my cheeks grew hot as ] realized thai
my affection for him WAS stronger thar
that cherished for the dear, gooc
relative, who had cared for me my lif
long.
despised myself. l would rathe
have died than acknowledge the truth
and yet / could not deceive my owl
ACoAA' hOO nFil Ludh At " u
the truth that had bestowed my low
unsought.
A week after her departure>I receives
letter from Laura, in which she men
TONED that Stacy had gone out to the ia
West, on some sudden business emer
gency. "for you know" the letter con
clnded. "that Stacy has lately taken int
his own hands the control of the immens
importing establishment inherited from
his father"
No, had not known it; had no
dreamed that Stacy Percival was-a ric
man. had thought him poor, penni
less like myself, and l dropped the lette
with a sigh.
FaiA would ! have convinced mysel
that this was the reason he had gon