West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-09-20
My First and Only Love.

II has often been matter of wonder 20
ne why loved Elwyn Ashton as did.
lie was twelve years my senior, and
only eighteen yet | loved him.
| remember well how glorousy the sun
shonc ON tina summer afternoon when we
stood together on the lawn waiting for the
carriage To arrive that should bring Aunt
Eleanor to spend some weeks at our house
!, so proud of him, so happy at the pros
pect OF seeing Aunt ElcanOrs adj
miratiOn for my noble darling, so shy at
his admiration for myself, so hopeful that
they would like each other and be friends
''FOr she is very beautiful, Elwyn,
said, and only ten years older than | am. -
! can see now the quiet laugh i'm his dark
eyes, and the playful curve OF the lips, as
of one humoring pettCd Child--a strange
wife | should have been for him, after all
And there was "A sound of wheels, and
drawing my arm in hIs, he led me TO the
front entrance TO welcome my Aunt.
do not clearly remember when that
first feeling of jealousy stole into my mind
| think scarcely understood it when first
ii did come. He had never changed to me-
! was ever uppermost in his thoughts all
his most graceful attentions were mine yet
| saw plainly that he found in her "a com
panIonship | was far from Icing able 10
give, for was only a darling playmate, "a
beloved and petted child
one evening noted we'll how bright and
animated he was, and the admring look
that kept deepening i'm his eyes, and the in
creased interest of voice and manner as the
conversation progressed, until gradually the
hand held became unconscious of mine,
and, when ] looscncd my hold, slipped
away TO extend itself for greater emphasis
towards her And then | rose, pale and
heart-sick to say goodnight.
eve have not had our usual talk to-
night, Birdie 80 he said
'No, / answered, Iaconically.
''It is too late now" looking at ms
watch.
ayes.
"What is the matter - asked my Aunt +;
care you unwell ~
"No, again.
Then she laughed low and mclodousy.
"Gou had better 90 TO bed. child.
Child Suddenly, and with quick,
sharp pain, as if struck by lightning, / felt
all that her words were intended 10 convey
TO him--to him, though not to mc-and as
suddenly the child became "a woman
"Walk down the avenue with me, once
only once, Elwyn," said my head
aches
With his old carcssing touch, nc adjusted
my shawl then hesitatcd a moment, and
said, half reluctantly, "Will you Shall
u"
! knew what it meant and turned with
all the dignity could assume
'Aunt Eleanor, if you wish to come too,
you may"
81 may, may ! Z" she answered, pcttish-
ly. Thanks But If it's all the same to
you prefer not.
"Elwyn, / SAID, when we were out Of
her hearing-lor felt that / must mention
the subject or die, "Elwyn, my
aunt has been here more than % month now
how do YOU like her ~
"Shc is charming" hc said, honestly
Charming
"Ah, / said $50 they all say sooner ol
later"
"Thcy 2" hc asked; "who are thcyf
"Mrn.
He laughed and drew my arm through
his, and we finished the walk I'm silence.
Then when we had reached the front door,
and held up my lips for the usual kiss
hc said, 'She is very charming, but my
baby is worth ten Of herr
"Oh =" ] sobbcd, throwing myself into
bis arms, and clinging TO him with passion.
ate pain and sorrow, ''dO not say $50, / am
woman now woman. Elwyu do mot
call me That any more"
''Wcll, ] will not if 10 hurts YOU
And he took my face between his hands
and bent over me with his own bright smile
But breaking from him, ran upstairs. anJ
shut myself in my room
What could do Nothing. felt thai
he was daily hourly being drawn ava,
from me, and my weak power could avail
nothing against the more subtle will Of tha
older and far superior woman of The world
Ny mother ah but NOT even lO her c0ulC
] complain of EIwyn. And SD thc day.
went ON.
One afternoon, bon the early autumn,
went down TO the shore alone, sitting list
less and idle, though wcmily. AZ last
voices that ] knew only too we'll his an,
hcr,-and / staid To- listen. They grew
quctcr as they approached and finally scat
cd themselves ON the other side of the boat
house from where sat and kept silence
A few moments and her voice broke On,
pause.
know by Che sudden start and qucl
breathing That hc had turned towords ber