The banner-enterprise., 1883-05-03
L S L A {;
Oh
E S 7 r A N G Il D .
BY ADA A NEWTON.

want one of you to love him, whether
il be you, Esta, or Allie, it matters
not; but as you are the older, Esta,
should like it if it be you. | am
glad that he seemed to be attracted
to you last evening. | shall see him
in New York to- day, and shall invite
him here tomorrow to dine. Look
your prettiest, pets, for | want one
of you to win him
AS he said these words Esta turned
pale to the roots of her hair. They
meant for her long, weary days and
nights of anguish. Says well known
novelist, Some mar their own lives
while others are marled by life
A month has passed since the party,
and it was nearly time for the family
of the seaside-cottage to return to
their city home. During this time
Esta saw much of Mr.. DeMott, for,
AS it was SO warm, he said, and so
pleasant at the cottage, he would
often take run down to the beach
to play croquet with the ladies, and
spend social evening. E5ta was his
favorite; he delighted in looking upon
her pleasant face; he loved to see her
eyes kindle with enthusiasm as she
discussed with him her favorite topics;
what his feelings were for her he
hardly knew. Esta noticing that
Lena was growing thin and pale, said
to her mother one day as she sat with
her in the porch, while Lena wondered
down to the beach, what is the mats
ter with Lena, mana? does she com:
plain of pains?' No. was the reply,
yet it is plain to be seen that our
darling is fading daily, but have an
idea that Lille Lowrie mi sht tell us
what the trouble is. wonder if it
can be that Lena loves Paul DeMott;
is it possible that both of my girls
are to feel the psng of unrequited
love? 81 think it is as you say; Lena
loves him; it is strange that | have
not thought of it ere this. 'He does
not seem to care for her at all; he has
eyes for no one but you, Essie, and
you do not care for him. How strange
the heart is! A man cannot let his
90 where it is desired, and woman
will not give hers where it is sought.
Lena is dying; she is not so strong as
you, Esta; your heart will ache, will
bleed through long years; death will
not come to yon, Essle, fate has willed
it so. Charlie Leslie has gone; marry
Paul De Mott, my dear, and be happy.
He has not expressed his passion, you
say. Well, he will, for he loves you
and cannot hide it. Come, child, do
not battle with the inevitable; if you
do not Iove him now you will learn
to love him i'll time. mama, | do
not love him and cannot love him;
why does he seek me? why is it not
Allie? She is pretty and good, d
tender hearted htlle gitl, yet he de-
MES to her what he would bestow on
me. | do not want il; would that |
could throw it back to him, wishing,
as do, that | had never seen him,
and that he had never crossed my
sisters path The girl burst into
tears; she could not forget the old
love; life had become dreary; the
days passed YEARLY and the sea, rest
lessly rolling to and fro, seemed to re.
peat the question, what is it? what is
it? until it grew a burden to her, and
she longed to flee from it as she
longed to be freed from life. She
Mad yet to learn that the book Of fate
disappointments and sorrow,
and few there are whose names are
not inscribed on its pages. 1t Was
the day before the departure to the
city; the seaside cottage was to be-
closed for the season. Lena had gone
down to the beach to take farewell
look at the shells and pebbles, while
Esta and Mr. DeMott were sitting in
the porch reading. Suddenly he |
closed the book and said, 'Esta, listen
to the stanzas quote:
'Of all the world beside,
Escn soul the other singled;
Something within did guide their
life's ttream side by side,
Until at length they mingled.
And now they cannot part, but
must flow on forever;
Two streams that rose apart
Join 4 in the mighy of one calm,
flowing river.
Il have grown to love you, Ests;
no woman ever has been or ever will
be to me what you are; can you love
me just a, little, will you be my wife,
She raised to him face, deathly pale,
and replied, q love another Yes,
Essie, know of him, but will teach
you to love me better than you love
him. 'Mr. DeMott, can true love
ever die? Are not the smoldering
embers famed into flame that burns
on and on forever? Can those who
love say farewell?' Il do not believe
in first love, Essie, it is more ardent
but not so lasting as other impress
sions You can forget him, If you
will, give to me but half the love
you oave tn him and Won shall not |