Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-05-23
Second Love.

euing into night as Flora and I drove
from the cemetery where We had seen
our father laid to rest. was twenty
two that summer and the affianced bride
OF Albert Fay; but since my fathers
failure and death, had not seen him.
Flora, though younger than I, was
married had her home and her hus-
band, and she could afford to look calm
~ uEon my fathers failure and death.
But What was I to do?
We stopped before the mansion that
had so long been home--that after to-
night would be home no longer. After
reaching the library, Flora said,-
Marion, what do you mean to do?'
IT do not know"
1t is time you did," said Flora.
You must earn your own living. ]
cannot offer you home, and you must
get some situation. You have no money.
Where are you going? =
I dropped my head ON the table and
burst into tears. Oh, the unspeakable
desolation and misery Of that moment
1t did seem that my sister might at
least give me time to bury my father
before thrusting me into it-and not
my father only, but my lover also, for
was he not dead to me, and must not
bury him out of my sight?
II have been more thoughtful for
you than you have been for yourself"
pursued Flora. have found you a
temporary home. Mrs. Brown is in
want of seamstress. have spoken
for you her terms are liberal. You
will 60 there to morrow morning, when
you leave here, and while there you can
advertise for another place. I must be
going. Good-by."
I sank down in my loneliness, power
ty and misery. and cried until could
cry no longer.
"Oh, Albert. Albert y cried in my
great grief. "Is this the love you have
protested for me?"
And so the long night passed, as oil
nights must; but the morning saw me
a changed woman. It did not break
my heart, either. Albert Fay should
never do that when nay heart broke it
should be for worthier object.
With no choice left, I took my way
to Mrs. Brown, and remained for three
months member of her family.
| One morning an advertisement in the
paper attracted my attention, and de-
termined to answer It. It was for a
copyist. A few minutes later knocked
at the Office door of Edwin Graham.
He was barrister, and one of the most
talented men at the bar.
You advertised for o copyist,"
said, land I have called to see If could
do the work which You require"
Twill you write something for me p
he said, and he placed some writing
materials before me.
Iwrote several lines, which he said
would do. I found the terms iiber-
al, and carried home large roll of
papers. 1t was arranged that, after
this, the clerk was to call for my writ.
ings and bring me orders.
Mr.. Graham called occasionally to
give directions about the law papers.
He was man about thirty-five, very
kind in his ,nlhner, and lie occasional
ly brought me book to read.
l have forgotten to say that I had
gone to reside with an old lady whom
l had once befriended during a long
illness, but who had since received a
small legacy which enabled her to live
comfortably.
In time my writings grew to be other
than the copying of law papers. First,
l ". ,te short sketch. and sent to one
of the leading periodicals it was ac-
copied and paid for, and I continued
writing. Soon after, a new book was
given to the public and loudly applaud
ed. A few evenings afterward, Mr..
Graham called and brought me the
book, saying he wished me to read it.
as he felt sure I should like it. The
author was unknown, he said 4; she
only gave IA fictitious name and all
the efforts of the public had been un.
successful in finding her out. I said
nothing. I chose to keep my secret.
had made up my mind to give ND
copying, and told him so. He looked
at me in surprised way for moment.
then said,-
May I ask why. Miss Wilde Are
you to be married? Tell me that is not
sol"
He took my hand. then went on, in a
hurried Manner
~ love you; you cannot be sur.
prised at this; you must have seen it
before. Tell me that no one else has a
claim upon your heart"
told him the story OF my past life.
You cannot care for a second love-"
I said.
But lie only .lasped me in his arms,
saying
Your second love is more precious
to me than the first love of any other
woman"
l told him that evening who was the
authoress of the book he SO much ad-
mired.
- thought it was like you it made
me think of you when read it. Why
have you kept it such a secret ?"
Can you wonder ?" said. "Haye
l not learned what it was to be loved
for my good fortune. and forsaken
when that forsook me =? I wished to be
loved for myself alone" ~
Only once have I met Albert Fay
it was seven years after my fathers
death. He did not know of nv mar
riage. and begged me to forgive him
What food of bitter memories Oh.
pressed my soul ''
"There was time long passed."
| answorad whan NV hoo ~ 800. III