The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-02-27

Giut uuy, hnO no Slri ever n0u KINDER.
But my Joy was soon turned into mourn.
ing. A week after, my mother was laid
to rest beside the husband she loved no
we'll.
The grief that l had suffered at her
loss, and the long watching that / be.
slowed on her had seriously impaired my
health. My brother was about taking
me tn Havana before the winter set in,
when | received m effectionate invitation
to visit England, where my mothers
only sister resided. / had never seen
Aunt Martha, who few years before my
mothers marriage, was united 10 the Sec
rotary Of the English legation at WASH
ington. She soon after accompanied her
husband to his home in the neighbor-
hood Of Liverpool.
In the days when We had to grapple
with poverty, my aunt sent us many II
remittance from over the Atlantic. The
sums that then proved such blessin &
were no, large, for ut that time Aunt
Martha was not rich i'll worldly goods,
though i'll after years some speculations
Ill which Uncle West WAS engaged proved
SO successful that he suddenly became
the possessor of large means. They had
one child, daughter, who was the idol
of her parents.
The invitation was readily accepted,
though it was hard to part even for few
months from my brother, who b. came
still dearer to me since death deprived
me Of my mother. As he stood on the
deck of the steamer holding my hand in
his he said:
Mabel, our mother In no more-my
sister now fills all my heart. God bless
you, and restore you to health. In SIX
months time l shall come for you, and
let me find that the balmy English mir
will bring back the hue of health to your
cheek again"
l could only put my arms around his
neck and kiss him; tears choked the
words that i would have spoken. So we
parted.
have nothing To say Of my voyage,
heing confined to my berth during the
greater part of the stormy trip. On my
arrival at Liverpool / WAS met by my
uncle, I'M agreeable, rosy-cheeked gen
tlemau, with a mellow English voice,
and much heartiness of manner. 4
short drive To the suburbs brought us to
the pretty villa where my aunt and cou-
sin were waiting to receive me. / seemed
to Sec my mother again, SO strongly did
my aunt resemble her. Ny cousin Adele
was pretty blonde of eighteen, gentle,
artless and winsome, and so warm was
the welcome that l received from both,
that | at once felt myself entirely mt
home.
Major Cotton was one Of the most es-
teemed visitors ut the villa. The first
night met him, there was large COM
pany present. was sitting apart from
The rest, and 1 felt that my sad, pale
face and mourning dress formed u strik-
ing contrast to the sprightly looks and
gay attire of the other Young ladies' pres.
ent Adele looked very attractive dress
I'd i'll simple white muslin, with n single
rose i'll her hair. She was seated ut the
piano surrounded 10y group of enthu-
siasts, who listened delishtedly to her
fine singing. l scarcely heard her, for
my thoughts were far away in my own
loved land-fnr away was my heart, too,
in lonely churchyard. How hard i
tried to keep the sudden tears of sorrow
i'll my aching eyes, in vain, they found
their way down my cheek.
"Do you play chess, Miss Derwent,"
said quiet voice close to me.
looked up and felt myself coloring ut
having my emotion seen by one who was
almost n stranger to me- A few words
on either side, and Majo Cotton had
drawn a little table toward my retreat,
and We commenced the game. i cannot
tell how it was, but my reserve uncon-
sciously vanished rs the game proceeded,
and before he checkmated We were
friends, drawn towards each other by
that secret sympathy, that strange feel
ing OF attraction that binds heart to
heart forever. When We parted for the
night / gave him my hand, he raised it
respectfully to his lips and was gone i'll
another moment.
must pass over the days and weeks
which followed, for it adds another pang
to memory To recall them. With
wOman's intuition / soon knew
that Major Cotton loved me, and that he
only waited for encouragement nn my
part to give expression to his feelings.
At the same time came the discovery
that Adele had become deeply attached
to her fathers guest
She who mad been the life Of all the
pleasure parties, now grew detected and
silent, her step became slow, her cheek
pale, and she soon seemed as If i'll IL slow
decline. Her parents were filled with
grief and anxiety at the unaccountable
change i'll their darling. Physicians
prescribed i'll vain. To the surprise Of
all she refused to leave home and seek
change of scene, which had been urged
by her medical adviser. But they knew
not that the charm that bound her there
war the presence Of Major Cotton.
Strange az it may seem that instead of
confding her secret to a loving mother,
she turned to me for sympathy, and
acknowledged all, saying in a piteous,
could not live. Her arms EMBODIED me,
her tears wet my cheek as she sobbed out
his confession ON my breast. Then l
felt how truly too loved Major Cotton.
But you are the first, May, who has
heard my confession. was but nineteen
then, and stranger might he surprised
at the fancy of two young girls for re-
served and thoughtful man of thirty-ive.
He was spoken Of az being cold III man.
ner, but his friends sound peculiar
charm in the tender kindness ever award
ed to them. Could Adele have known
the pain her every word inflicted on her
nearer, her gentle heart would have
broken beneath the burden of her secret,
before she would have sought the bless
ed relief of sympathy in her sorrow.
From day to day, ] saw my cousin
pining away without hope, perishing, as
il were, before my eyes. What could
do but continue to bestow on
her my tenderest sympathy, which she
received with every emotion Of gratitude.
The day of st. Valentine came, as it
! did so long ago, like day set apart to
the service of the god Of love. How well
j can recall everything connected with
that day. Adele and j were sitting to-
gether in the little boudoir that she
called Sunny Nest. She looked wan and
feeble, and us her head rested against
my shoulder, and her large sweet eyes
turned to me fondly, / felt that could
have made any sacrifice for her sake.
She had received some dainty valentines
as we sat there, but they seemed to give
her no pleasure, and she laid them aside
with a weary sigh. After awhile she
laid down couch and dropped into al
uneasy sleep.
1t was cold gloomy day, the trees oil
the lawn were dripping with moisture
and gathering fog obscured all distan
! objects.
: "This is for yon. Miss Mabel,
knocked twice but you didn't hear me.
/ started from the revery into which
had fallen Ms the servant advanced mt