Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-07-14

party of friends. Hester heard the news
, Ike every one, aud By day. IN many a
lonely reverie at night, IN many miSsr-
abb dream. shs had followed the happy
pair IN their wanderings among foreign
scenes. Her cheess had grown paier,
he- erss less bright. in consequence;
yes even Ruth, who knew eli other of
nsr secrets. knew noting of this one
1t was because OF this report, because
she looked 4, on her former lover as one
lost 70 her forever. as completely as il
the marriage VOWS had bean spoken, shat
she had finally Summoned courage 10
spp!y 70 him fog help Cor the scke Of
But Il tie s.o.y Of his approaching
marriage was tyre, why should he watch
her now With elancas OF undisguised
happiness and affection? Why should
ne whisper assurances of his friendly
aid II such tone:
Hesssr's cheeks grew hotter eech mo-
ment as she unused over this problem. II
she was rnistekeu-if runor was for
once In the wTono-what must he think
OF her coming TO him in such q singular
| way?
shy dear, thee don't get on we'll with
thy tea," said Mrs. Paynter, VINO read
the thoughts Of the two. who were still
| Unconscious lovers, much better than
they could do themselves Il will make
thee some that Is fresh. will sse my
self that the water boils."
| "No- pray doa't. Indeed, need no
more tea: and mus. be going, or Ruth
viii grow ANXIOUS" said hester rising
from her caair.
| But the designing old lady trotted out
with the silver TEAPOT ia her hand, say
ing dscisively-
| Only one cup. Thee must wait"
"fou were moro willing to stay with
nee once, Hester" said Mr.. Richings, es
the door closed upon Mrs. Paynter.
| wish knew what first changed Won.
Did offend you in any way in the good
old days."
mo, oh no. stammerei Hester, 10 Ok
ing for her hat.
Dir. Richiugs gently removed it from
her reach.
"You shall have i. presently. But now
that We have met, think you owe me
an explanation. Why did YOU no: tell
me in that dear old time. dear. that you
liked your cousin best!'
My consinI What cousin!" asked
Hester wouderingly.
Your cousin. John Thorn"
Il never cared for him. Mr.. Riehings,
except, of course, as a cousin"
chester, lie was here on visit once.
1t was the day before l left my home
for Europe
IL remember" abe said with sigh.
''He came to me that evening, as il
from YOU, Hester. He told tue that you
always loved him, from your childhood;
but tha. you had been dazzled by my
superior wealth and position, for
some time. He Brought me letter. pry-
porting to come from you, Begging my
pardon for having encouraged me, when |
you ought not to have done so, when |
your heart was his, and his alone. ! |
have that letter low. You shall see it |
tomorrow. lie seemed truthful and |
manly, and he certainly loved you with !
all his heart. Hester. He asked me to |
go away for a time, and let your mind |
recover its usual balance, SO that You
might choose inteiligontly between Us. |
Under the circumstances he described |
twas fair and reasonable request.
wrote a reply TO your letter. and gave il |
to him to deliver. then went abroad. |
Six months later your cousin enclosed a |
second letter from yon, to say yonr
choice had fallen on him. So gave
you up at once. And was much sur
prissd on reaching home, to hear that
you were still single"
"My cousin John was fooliebly fond |
Of me-" said Hester AS calmly as she |
csuld speak. u never cared for him,
and he WAS very jealous OF you. Those |
letters we're forgeries. | never even saw |
them. Nor did yours reach me-"
The scoundre," began Mr. Richings |
hot.y.
But her look stopped him.
He il dead. We can forgive" abe |
said SOFTLY II am glad to know that |
You were true; and hope you will he !
happy in this lovely home when Miss |
Scnter comes to share 1t.
"You have heard that stupid report, |
eh?" said MIR. Richings, tossing her hat |!
and shawl on the sofa behind him, as |
she again reached after them. "Maud |
Senter is d lovely girl. good girl, too;
and yesterday morning she married one |
of my dearest friends, and was best |
man on the happy occasion. 30 much |
for her, And nov, Hester, my darling. |
the Troubles and clouds of six years past |
can be cleared away at once and forever |
If you will only say tho word. That |
dead mans falsehood has kept us apart |
long enough. We will forgive, rs You
say. But il must be in this house, and /
together, "a man and wife, Hester, you
won't refusem me? Say yes; and IL: all |
our troubles end here on the spot"
Hester must have MAIDS sat-
isfactory answer, for Mira. Payntsr OPEN
ed the door at that moment, aud tew |
back with her unneeded tea, after one
half startling. half amused glance at the
reconciled pair.
And Ruth, an hour later, found her
self gathered up from the lounge, and
carried in n light, st.ong grasp to her
easy chair. beside the cottage window.
II take all Hester's beloved cares on
myself henceforsh, ard sister Ruth be-
gin with you" said Steadman Richin2s'
genial, hearty voice, as he pressed a
breshsr's kiss upon her lips and brow.