The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-05-29

l ,
Myrtle, softly.
"It's day | shall never forget,
said Philip Warren, and Myrtle wa
too happy to make answer.
The next day be went back to ths
city, and though the little country
maiden watched for him long, it wa!
full three weeks before be came tt
her again. Then he asked her to gc
with him to the meadow, as she
flew to meet him with outstretched
hands.
Myrtle, said he, ''listen to me
for / have something to tell you"
Myrtle bent her head toward him,
confident of what that something
was. But Philip looked at hel
gravely.
Myrtle" be said, 81 came into
your home, as you well know, in
search of health. My friends ad-
vised me to do 80, and | am glad !
did, as | have fully recovered. But
since my return to the city have met
with severe lose, and seek your
sympathy. For, Myrtle, only two
weeks ago, / buried my frst-born-
my baby firl-to whose advent !
had long looked as the one bright
spot in my life. But Myrtle, you are
i'll You are not like yourselfl Tell
me what is the matter 2"
"No, | am not ILL.," said Myrtle,
calmly, the purple shadows beneath
her eyes deepening What was it
you were saying. Go on, l shall
hear" she added-"but be quick.
please"
Before she was aware of it, Philip
Warren threw bis arms about her.
Myrtle" be said, passionately, 81
have dealt you a cruel blow. Don't
struggle SO, darling; II know it, and
have hesitated long about doing so.
For this summer has been to me the
one sunny spot in my life. have
watched you long, Myrtle, and l
have thought that your dear heart
had passed into my keeping when
first you met me, and l know mine
forsook me when | first saw your
dear face. Yet | know it was wrong
for me tc win your affections. |
tried to feel only brotherly love for
you, but | failed. 1t proved to be
strong one, and | was pcwerless to
prevent it. Then | was in hopes
that | had deceived myself, in regard
to your feelings. This was for your
sake, darling, not mine, and | sud-
denly told you of my affiiction know
ing that bv this means | could tell
for certainty whether yours was
sisterly affection or not. My ruse
had its desired effect | saw your
cheek pale, your lip tremble, and |
am wretched, for, Myrtle Sawyer, |
love you, and | am the husband of
another"
For a moment there was silence
between the two, then Myrtle spoke.
philip, tell me everything. Had
you told me before, you would have
saved me a world of misery" and
the sweet mouth trembled.
'I was a brute, Myrtle, yet | could
not bear to break the spell your pres
ence wove," said Philip, holding her
hand guiltily, for she had Withdrawn
herself from his embrace "But listen:
two years ago my parents died, leav-
ing me no property whatever. | dis
liked labor. | met a rich heiress,
and married her for her money, and
she me for my good looks. Ours
was tie old story. We quarreled;
nv health became broken; my wife
went home for season to her father,
and | came here. l met you, Myr-
tie, and you know the rest. But my
wife is fond of me 10 her way. She
loves pomp and show, while | love
quiet. and we differ much She likes
her fast horses and her wine, and her
house and stables are built in the
most modern style. And, Myrtle, in
the latter there stand only two
creatures for whom l have any affec-
ton. You know what they are, for
you named them, and | love them
for your sake. But, Myrtle, two
weeks ago / buried from sight my
first born and only child. This was
what called me to the city, and ex-
plains my long absence. But we
buried her, and as my wife wished
to bestow name on the babe who
could never lisp the name of mother,
/ begged the privilege of naming her
myself. Surprised at the interest |
manifested. she humored me, and as
the breath was leaving the little
frame, | gave her the name of 'Vio-
let,' because the 6rst time l looked
upon your face was in the time of
vioIets. Then robed 10 white, cover
ed with SPRAYS Of myrtle, we laid
her away. My wife has hardly
rallied from the shock, while IL
am doubly smitten And now, Myr-
tie, l must go away from this village
and from you. God forgive me for
having blightej your whole life-but,
Myrtle, love you /! l love you !"
"Ob, Philip" and two mournful
eyes looked into his. &C.," she said,
in q hollow voice. II do not blame
you. You have suffered, and so
have /. Go and forget me, and /
will endeavor to live for the sake OF
those who love me in that old farm
house over the bill. and to whom l
must explain ALL"
So they separated, but like the
Judge he looked back as be climb.
ed the hill, and saw the maiden
standing still
"Then he took up the burden of life again.
Saying only, 1t might have been
Four years passed. The old farm
er aud bis wife had entered into
rest. Leslie was married, and Arch
er also. Myrtle, too, had home Of
her own. but she reigned in it 9 wild
ow, beloved and respected by all
Her husband had just lived long
enough to call ber by the endesrine
name of wife for six short months
and then died. leaving behind him 9
good, noble memory, and luxurisn,
home. Deeplv did Mvrtle deplors