The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-09-15
EDERIN'S GIRL WIFE.
nY Klfts K. WILSON.

VI N ' " S. " 'A-ahts''
 Ny friend Ederin has long been at rest. Tears agone he fell victim to disease; and though young man, with him the light of life, like burned out candle, flashed and flickered in its socket, grad aally grew weaker and dinner. and finally went out in black night.
 From himself and from others, learned that his life had been strange one In the dawning of manhood. full of ambition and hope, he had left the yil- lage of his nativity and gone oat to seek a name and place. Five years. each freighted with vague tidings of his sue cess passed, and then Ederin of sudden returned 10 his old home His father and mother had passed away, and there seemed nothing to bind him to the village. ye; he took up his abode in the deserted house where he had been born, and ever after dwelt apart from others, at frst re- sarded with curious interest and then almos, summed ,by the villagers. Here hs life was like the far western river which flows along tranquil and smooth, broad and apparently deep. but which, with lis course still tending toward the distant sea, Yanishes and IS gone for ever.
 l learned of Ederin soon after came 10 reside ,n the village, and ere long. know no, how, we had become friends. l found him fascinating, strangely pleasing companion. Often of an after noon l would visit him. and tell him of all ,ha, had happened since our last meeting, while he would reward me with the fruits of the trains of quiet, pensive thought. which with him filled out the treasure of each day. At last was called to a distant town and was absent many months. During that time heard nothing from Ederin, but on viy return learned that he had fallen dangerously III, and hastening to see him found that he had but little time to live. During the weeks that followed was often al his side, when as we both knew the end was very near, he said
 After am gone you will find in yon- der desk many papers. Promise me that you will burn all save one. That, and you will know it when you ind it, you can keep and publish if you choose, for II IS ,he story of two lives"
 will promise,' said.
 Then he turned his face from me and was silent. Hour by hour passed as on that still, beautiful summer afternoon, sat in the darkened room by the bedside of he dying man. At last arose and pu, aside the curtain of the western win dow. when a gentle ray from the setting sun shone m upon the noble face of the dead. While l watched he had fallen as'eep as loyfully and peacefully as a tired child.
 After Ederin was buried and came 10 search among ;he papers of which he had spoken. found so much 10 show that they were ,he work of rare and gifted spirit that was at times strongly tempted 10 break my compact with the dead. Some were sketches of love and passion, almos, ethereal in their delicacy and beauty others, passages from the sierner, sadder side of life, in conception and execution strong and powerful and sull others were studies of abnormal be- ings. sirikingly weird and .grotesque, while all bore the delicate touch, the dainty finish of master. But kept my promise, and burning them. turned to examine the manuscript which l had been bidden to keep. found il easily, for on il Ederin, with longing s,iil un- satisfied, had written My Girl Wife, Often since tha, time have read over this passage from human life, and it is with the hope tha, i, will carry to others the same lesson II brough, to me that now give it to the world. lt began and ran thus:
 Tenderly soft and beautiful seems 10 me now my first meeting with Nera, my girl. With companion had gone to his home. His sister and Nera were friends. and there we met It was evening, and saw only the outlines of a giriish face, caught a glimpse of wavy, rebellious tresses, and heard peals of merry laughter that sounded not unlike the musical rippling of ,iniest waterfalls; and yet that night sought my couch with a vague, undehned but pleasing feeling. such as l had never known be- fore. During the days that followed 1 often caught glimpses of face that knew was hers. It was so fair and sweet, yet so wistful and almost sad. tha, swiftly, unconsciously grew to love it. Soon we met again. There was to be a sailing party, and it was arranged tha, Nera should be my companion.
 "How can 1 describe that evening, the memory of which still fingers with me like the perfume of rare and delicate flowers that have long since faded. Not a ripple disturbed the silvery surface of the river and nature at rest mellowed every hear,