The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-02-05
ALNA-S SECRET.

ALNA.s SECRET.
at was only yesterday | kissed
her lips, and she whispered, Il do
love you. Horace, | do love you.'
And to-day she writes me this"
as Horace Weston spoke be read
once more the note be held open in
bis hand which already be had learn
ed by heart, from frequent perusals.
Only to one human being would be
have revealed his misery and sur
prise, but biz mother had been one
with him in heart and soul all his
life, and to her be read aloud the few
crushing words:
Il release you from your engage
ment Forget me, if you can, but
from my heart shall always pray
for your happiness and prosper
ity.
ALMA"
Mrs Weston had q noble, gener
Gus nature, slow to suspect evil, still
more reluctant TO make accusation of
unworthy motive. But, stung by
her sons white face and haggard
eyes, she said:
Yesterday Alma did not know
she was an beiressn
Every one kgew Der fsEher was
weatthyN
"Rqt no one knew how be would
leave bis property
His will has not been read.n
'He has left no will. Alma in-
herits all. DR.. Hale told ME 40 cot
ap hour since "
But I an no paper, mother !!
And Alma is the last person 10 be
Influenced BY money!
$50 ! should bare sad yesterday"
said Mrs. Weston bitterly Il will
take cff my bonnet, for | was only
goi1g to call upon Alms.n
"0b, mother, do 90 ! Think how
lonely and desola,e she muss be.
was there this morning, but | could
net see herr
Mrs. Weston heslIeted. before
hef mental vision Foae the sweet face
Uf her soI's beirothed, the large in-
1ceent brown eyes, guileless as those
of babe. the sensitive mouth that
quivered with every emotion the
slight. graceful agure that seemed too
frslI aimost for iife's many weary
hours. Gentle, yielding, loving, it
seemed impossible that Alma Hurst
could snow oae meresnarJ thought,
one unworibY impulse.
Il will go = she said I zine poor
ehi.aI brain mar be turned by troub-
lie. Her fa'her's death was most aH-
fully suddeG.''
Did Dr. Hale give you any par
liculsrs p
'only that the fall iroal has horse
yesterdsy prodhced fstsl injuries,
He lived three hours. ia full posses
sion OF all. his faculties, and Alma
never left him after be vas brought
home. She was alone With him
more thar 81 hour tefore be died"
He was Q cold, reserved man, snd
had rot MANY attractive rats, but l
believe he loved Alma very devoted.
| Iy Dear mother, 80 % her, and try
20 gsin- sene 'txplaoation Of this
stfsngf nolea
Ii sas rot pleasant errsnd. yet
Mrs Weston undertook il. Ali ber
moiher's pride rose against the curt,
cruel r.. clion Of the pure. tender
iove Horace bad si7en BIS eetrothed
10 the fb.ee months Of ibeig engage
sment Disinierested love, too, Tor
Mrs Hurst had teld Horace plsia!J
that be would make no promise Of q
large dowry for Ii. only child Ii
bad puzzled Horace st the time. that
/ be sss 80 anxious to impress the
fact bot be bad attributed it TO q
ostu,al desire to save his degghte,
from 8 forlena bsntsr, and IS ne
xas amply able 10 support q wife
hspdsomely, il bad not cost him one
regret
Mrs. Weston cepld Eeme q Der vhel
James hurst had been q compare
/ lively poor mar, carrying % small
business in bsrdwsre He bad gone
to California 10 the 6rst rush of GOLD
heBters, and returned 10 Eve xesr'
with The reputation OF wealthy
nap. late 10 life be rad married,
isnd losr his wife xbile Alma was 4
babe, and the child had grown DO !.
Myrllevale. the rslsr .ro.a iaisnef 0
| hsr devoted surses snd teachers, in
,dulged 10 ererv wbim. petted and
hunored, bns never spoiled VII;
no great iGislIeetsal power, she hat
been carefully Instructed 10 the lsn
al branches Of young lsdff eases
Iiion, sang very swee.iy and correctly
played upon the piano, spoke FreDcl
lpAsse6ly, sud vac . good housekeep
er ia ;ssosy- Her last governess
Mrs. Wsymsn. an elderly widow
had remained ss coppsu,on 80,
heasekeeper ss.es Aams completes
hes uiae.seu.t year, and bad sceep'
ed Horace wessoa's prodered love
:. ftwss Mrs- Wsyman xho receii
ed Mrs. Weston.
Il .n % giaa 700 have come ]
she said, with sob, "eyerything
!. so strsageI Mr. Norton. Mr. Hurst
!avyss, ias been here and srrsnge'
. for the funeral, snd ! had to NEE
!. him Alma is prostrstedi' ~
8 That Is naturaI.- said Nrs- We
ten. wondering II Nm. Weyma
knew Of Alna's note-