The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-12-17

Allfy," i kilos "tneae Ptttky ttlplt1 ypl
always thought came from my sister nj
nom the lady who Is to marry me, Shet
very beautiful, very rich, very stylish, bu
very kind, You must come and see Us
Mary, when we are married. shall tel
Angelina how good you have been 10 me-
what a sweet little sister found out her
in Vale OF Cruix. Why, Mary"
For, as l spoke, felt the little hand
held grow cold and heavy in mine. saw
her sink backward. The big china bow
OF peaches and cream slipped with crast
on the ground and shattered to pieces.
caught the poor child in my arms, II
moment she came to herself, and Sale
she had overtired herself she thought
They had been baking all day and 1t. wa
warm. And now she babe me good night
But did not see her next day, nor the
next. She kept her room, and was mol
well enough to bid me good-by,
Poor little Mary | felt very miserable
However, Angelina met me in Glasgow,
She was more beautiful than eyer-more
elegant in contrast to my simple country
friend-and very soon laughed at myself
for the thought that had been in my heart
OF course, l said it was the baking that had
overcome Mary-it was not my news
hud only been to her as iriend-as 0
brother. had not made love to her;
above all, had not tlirted with her. But
| thought Of Mary great deal, and |
missed her every hour exactly-oh, yes,
exaCtly-as mighta sister.
wrote to Mrs, Stevenson, and her an
swer was very brief. .,
II haven't much time to write" she said
in her postscript. "Alary is sick, and be-
sides heing driven I'm anxious"
This letter was in my pocket on that day
when Angelina and l went to the bazaar
for the benefit OF the Church OF st. Mat
thew.
After we had roamed about the bazaar
and bought all sorts Of kniCk.knacks, ea-
Corted Angelina TO q seat, and there sat
down to wait while one Of the ladies, who,
ION this occasion only" was doing good,
onerous, hard work, brought us tray Of
refreshments,
As we sat there slipping our coffee two
women sat down at tho next table, with
their backs toward us,
II am very tired; are not you, Mrs. Rus
sell?" And the other answered;
"Yes, lam tired. don't think that It'll
worth the while to come all the way from
Vale OF Cruix to Glasgow Sightseeing"
This was the voice OF Stovenson's nearest
and / liked her and respected
her, yet did not feel quite sure how Ange.
lima would like an introduction, and so re.
Trained from looking round and making
myself known.
ltf thiOly ,untI hnIinH haua tna autI IL n
first voice. ats more refreshing than Cof-
fec. 0, how Is Mary today Think ofmy
never asking beforeW
"AIary is poorly" said Mrs, Russell, 20
Mrs, Cullen, what pity II Is that flirting
young minister came down to Vale Of
Cruix. don't know what Mrs, Stevenson
wns about to let him do as he did. We
all thought he was counting Mary. She did,
poor child, She loved him dearly, and the
lay before he went away he told her he
was engaged TO some girl In Glasgow, Pm
afraid it's broken her heart. She told mo
all about 1t, % Aunty Russell, she said,
i know ought to DO ASHAMED, but can't
help It. lie seemed to like me so. Ihope
| shall die Of this fever, for life is nothing
70 me- Ashamed Why, Us he that ought
10 BIO ashamed, OF all'things, minister
70 DO cold, cruel flirt And that Is what
Hugh MaCtaggert !"
listened, but could not move or speak.
felt us though my heart was also break
ing; and o the shame | suffered! The
women drank their ten and left, and then
Angelina turned 10 mo with cold, sar-
;astiC smile.
II see by your face that that little story
s perfectly true, Mr. Mactaggert," she said.
"Angelna," l faltered ~ have done
nothing that should give oiTense to you"
Nothing but love another woman" she
"Love her and let her sec It,
meaning to marry me. Don't think lam hurt;
indeed ! am relieved should have kept
ny word TO you but for this, but not so
gladly as | once should. You are q very
yool.looking man, but on the whole you
lon't suit me. | met Mr.. s, at Millport,
md he does, Frankly, have been think
ng what pity 1t was that | must decline
MS offer, AS for this--Nlary, is notY-l
she make very good minister's
Viie2"
1t came to my mind that she would
Int she was the only vile for me; that
Angelina-splendid us she was-would
levcr have made me happy.
"But 1 only said, Miss Melville, II you
lesire to have your freedom, have no
,hoiCe."
II desire 1t greatly" she answered.
''ltis yours, | said, with bow.
After that, think, we were both hap
bier than we had been for years, and shook |
lands when We parted.
That night ! went up to Vale OF Cruix,
Ind l told Mary that my marriage was
broken of, and TINT she was the only wo.
nan / had ever loved. She tried to summon
up her pride and refuse me, but failed in
he attempt and let me take her to my
heart To-day nm pastor OF the church
1t Vale Of Crliix; Mary Is my wife, and we
ire as plain and quiet pair rs you could
Iancy. often help my wife pick currants
Tor tea, and have taken q turn ut the garden
when help was scarce. But / do not envy
Mr.. y his wife, nor pine for tho luxurious
possibilities that ! lost with Angelina.
Mary and my little home content me.
But one thing Is on my conscience. /
have never been able to ask myself the
question: "Did Airt with Mary2 II not,
what was III"