Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-09-06
MARTINsBURG, ". va. SATURDAY, SEPT. 6, 1884,

very vortex of that fashionable life
from which as yet her tender years
have kept her.
It is cruel blow to Harry Hol-
mes, for relying upon his employers
evident friendliness, he had suffered
himself to build high hopes.
"Three years! Oh, Thalia, your
love will never survive such a test p
"Have no fear, Harry" ITALIA
answers, resolutely, for neither
time, place, nor surroundings can
alter my heart, and when our time
of probation is over, and when my
own mistress, you have only to come
and demand your own-for shall
be yours then as now"
| In the belt that clasps her slight
waist nestles cluster of daisies.
STOPPING, Harry distangles them
from their fastening.
~ will keep them, Thalia, as a
remembrance of your words. And
now l have something to tell you.
Since your uncle told me the other
day, that after this week my services
would be no longer needed, / have
received communication from Ire
land, which has decided me to go
there at once. 1t is a letter from an
uncle of whose existence until now
have been ignorant. But read it for
yourself"
This is what Thalia reads:
any DEAR NEPHEW: / have
only just learned, after long inquiry,
that my sister left a son, that he and
you are one and the same. This
will undoubtedly prove surprise to
you, as from my sisters solemn vow
made to me as she left her home,
know that you never can have heard
my name. Let mo explain: At
an early age your mother and my
self were left orphans. Time went
by, and your mother met and be-
came attached to one whom beyond
all others l disliked, and for just
cause"
"They were engaged and married
in spite of my vehement protesta-
tons. 1 refused to sanction the mar.
riage or be present at the ceremony.
Margaret had to the full the impetu-
GUS character of our family. On the
eve of her departure for her future
home she came to me and said
Stephen, henceforth do never expect
to hear aught of me or mine. You
have chosen to wound me in the
tenderest feelings of my nature, and
to insult him who is now my husband
I shall never forgive you. Never
again to my dying day shall yOnr
name, or any allusion to you
pass my lips. / sever the connec.
ton between us. Should l have
children, they shall grow up ignor-
ant of any relatives save those upon
their fathers side. l have pledged
my husband to like VOW, and il
shall be kept" Before ! could re
cover from the surprise her implaca
BILE words caused she had gone
That was the last time | ever saw
her.
"Now, my nephew, your mothers
VOW was wrong and I have no doubt
that ere she died she would gladly
have recalled it. / am old and alone
in the world and in sad need. Yor
are young and strong and to you
turn. implore you, as the last o.
my family, the only one living upon
whom 1 have any claim, to come t.
my succor if it be possible for you tt
do SO. Your uncle,
/ STEPHEN HARTLEY"
"Mr. Henry Holmes"
81 am glad you are going Harry,
Thalia said, as she finished reading
Poor old man, all alone in tn,
world and needing aid-his Is a sat
lot"
"I knew you would feel SO, m,
darling" Harry answers; and then
the letter forgotten, they talk az
lovers delight to do, until the mo
ments. flying by, bring at last thu
dreaded time of parting.
"Who is the drone now, Thalis
Rivers, should like to be inform
ed ?" exclaims Ida one evening com
ing into her Cousins room fully ar
rayed in an exquisite ball costume
1t is almost time to be going ant
here you sit with that everlast
ing picture III your mana! Inalla
Thalia haven't you forgotten tina
nonsense yet ;"
No, Thalia has not forgotten, al
though the last three years hav.
been a bewilderlng time to the girl
shrinking, retiring nature. She il
growing more accustomed now t,
the Thousand demands and forms o
, society, but they weary her infinitely
i Not one word since their parting
has she heard from her lover; but
as she had truly told him, "neithe
time nor place can change her heart,
and deep down its pure recesses il
still enshrined one handsome, darl
face, with grave brow and speaking
eyes.