The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-12-18
UNSELFISH DEVOTION.
BY MAUD MURRAY.

At first as Harley Grey entered the
library, it seemed to be untenanted.
But second glanced showed him q
slight figure crouched into the corner of
n huge sofa. All that was visible of her
face was wet with tears, which were
trickling through the tiny hands which
covered her eyes.
What could have happened to thus
disturb little Edna's equanimity.
Harley went to her and laid his
hand upon her dishevelled curls with
kindly
"What is the trouble, Edna7"
She looked up at the sound of his
voice, and her lips quivered like those
Of grieved child.
"0h, Harley" she said, with a sob,
"read thatw
Then Harley saw that an open letter
lay on the rug which spread its velvety
softpess before the sofa.
As he acquainted himself with its
contents fash Of indignation camein:o
his eyes.
"Wha. does this meanT' he asked
Have you md Chester guarreled?
NO." said Edna, piteously.
"Then he shall answer for this
Trothplights are not so easily brokenp
But with sudden dignity Edna
rose.
(" No, Harley" she said " the truest
kindness will be to never again mention
his name to me-"
Harley looked at her in surprise.
Could this dignified girl be his gentle
Edna? He had not given her credit for
so much spirit.
You are right" he said at last.
But do not dim those bright eyes with
tears for the recreant. He is not worth
one precious drop"
Edna's answer was burst of fresh
sobs.
It was agony to Harley to hear them,
and as he tried to soothe her he in
wardly vowed vengeance on the false
lover who had won the heart he him
self had vainly coveted, only to cast it
aside.
Edna Mordaunt was the orphan ward
of Harley's father, who had taken her
to his own home after the death of her
parents. sts
30 Harley had Witnessed the unfold
ing OF all the sweet graces of character
which made the girl so attractive as she
He had learned to love her with all
the strength of his nature.
But her feeling towards him was only
the gentle attachment of sister for an
adopted brother-which was the title
she gave him.
While he was in the last year of his
college course the news had come to
him in letter written to him in Edna
nd knf so fofA f,.l
sanction she had promised to marry
one who was the noblest and best OF
men.
Every word of the artless outpouring
OF her love for, and faith in, Chester
Lane, was like stab to Harley.
- But his was nature calculated tc
bear suffering bravely.
So when he returned home again, he
met Edna with calm face-listened tc
her girlish condolences about her lover
and WAS to all appearance the same
Harley 10 whom the girl had Away,
Jold her childish sorrows, and in whom
she had found an unfailing friend and
sympathizer when the rest of the
worldly, fashionable household were
too much engrossed with their .fetcs and
parties to spend much time in comfort
ing the wee thing who had been added
to their number.
He stood for time in silent: distress
listening to Edna's sobs.
An intense longing to take her in hi
arms and comfort her-to tell her how
dearly he himself loved her, and to en-
treat her to become his own precious
wife, and thus prove to her faithles
lover that his psrfidy had not broker
her heart-almcst overmastered him.
But he conquered himself, and wher
he at last spoke no one could have tolC
of the struggle he had passed through
"Do not cry, Edna" he said, gently
1t is far better 10 learn of Chester
ickleness now than later. You mus
try and forget"
ooh, Harley, cannotl 1 love him
Iwish / could diel'
No, Edna, do not say that. Thinl
of those who prize you as a miser prize
his gold. Do not wish to break thei
hearts"
Edna's answer was a smile so "a,
that 1t was more touching than he
tears.
But she made a brave effort to b
calm. ~
the thought that in giving way t.
her sorrow she was 0ccaslonlng pail
to another was the most efectua
of tonics to her loving, unselfsh ma
ture.
Harley did not tell Edna of his inten
tion to seek out Chester Lane and lear
the cause of his conduct.
But that was the real motive whicl
actuated him in securing a passge upol
steamer. -
1t was not long before he reache
Florence, where Edna's lover had gon
to study painting with some OF tn
modern masters.
Harley soon found himself at the doc
OF Chester's studio.
But it was to find 1t closed.
The young artist was at deaths doc
with brain fever.
The kindly Italian who answere,
Harley's questions about him pointe
to his forehead and shook his head si,
nifcantly.
The young man was very strane
long before he gave up" he said, in h
imperfect English.
The truth flashed into Harley
mind.
Overwork and illness had probabl
unsettled Chester Lanes mind, an
that was the cause of his incoheren
abrupt letters to Edna.