The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-09-06
ONE HEART.
ERA Wheeler il Midland monthly


through his three meals like some hun
cry animal, and plunge into bed with
the first shadow of night, was John
Chester's idea of existence.
To st and talk awhile, to read an
hour, to speak tender word or bestow
tender caress, were follies and non.
sense in his eyes. Yet they would have
made GertruGes life at least content, if
not happy.
Poor thing. l don't believe she has
ever had any one tell her she ought not
to work SO hard" musel Breeze. "Well.
I'll do what | can to brighten her dull
lie while I'm here"
Are you fond of books" he asked
her that evening, as she sat mending.
"Very," she answered. I have never
had very many, though, since came to
Iowa"
"Would you like to use mine? or
would you like to have me read aloud
little while every evening, VIII le You
sew?'
20, if you would only real to mel'
Gertrude answered, her cheeks flaming
with a sudden glory.
II will, he answered, and after that
he read almost evening for an hour,
while the steady, sonorous snore from
the next room testified to the undis-
turbed slumEer of John Che ter.
OF course there could be but one re.
suit for oman in Gertrude Chester's
situation, exposed to the constant, de-
Eghtful companionship of young, re-
fined and handsome man. She grew to
love him with all her heart and soul
For weeks she did not know her dan
ger. Then she began to realize it; at
first with fright and shame, and then
with exultation.
II have done no wrong" she said to
her own soul-"I have not by look or
word or act brought this upon myself.
It has come to me, and it would not
have come if it had not been best for
me. Life holds new glory for me the
world is more beaut full than it ever was
to me. l am better, stronger, nobler
for my love. He does not know-he
need never know its existence. I can
conceal it. but l will not try to Danish
it from my heart"
Breeze Berton became indispensable
in the Chester household. He often
lent strong arm at the ak, and in the
| hay field. at develops muscle" he
would say, aud as he paid his board
| bill regularly, John Chester made no
objection. Gertrude grew fre her and
younger every day. She had not known
what it was to haf so much assistance
and sympathy in all her married life.
She sang Ike bird, her step grew
elastic, and her eyes were glorious in
their new beauty.
She held strong rein upon herself.
| She was never betrayed into the slight
est look or act which told her secret.
Her manner toward Breeze Berton was
that of blithe, frank sister or comrade
whether in presence of others or
alone with him, and this love grew, and
Sometimes she thought OF the time
when he must go away. The thought
always brought quick, sharp pain
with it, yet only for moment.
"This love is mine, whether he goes
or stay nothing can take that from
me-" she reasoned, and the spirit within
her looked out through her lovely eyes,
until all who saw her remarked how
young and beauti. nj Gertrude Chester
was growing.
Breeze Berton finally grew grave,
| moo, and absent-minded.
When questioned by Gertrude if he
was i'll or in trouble, he answered that
his business matters annoyed him, moth
| ing more Yet, as the weeks went by
Gertrude knew that there was some
thing more-she feared that he had dis
covered her secret, and was angry OF
displeased. She drew more within her
self and treated him almost with cold
ness.
A week later he announced that be
was going away.
They were quite aloEe-John Chester
sleeping heavily in his room.
For long?' she questioned, as she
bent over her sewing.
"For good" he replied; II have
thrown up my go ernment business
my land agency affairs and am going
back to Philadelphia to enter into bust
ness there"
Indeed" she answered very calmly
"when did yon decide upon this? ant
why? Something must have oc
CURED"
"Yes, something has occurred, h
|
MAY I ask what? or would yo,
rather not tell me-"
Her heart was beating wildly, a sick
ening fear that he referred to her low
for him made her feel faint and dizzy
But he was not looking at her.
Il would rather mott must not tel
you," he responded. cit would pail
and anger you"
She knew now that he did refer t.
her love for him. That he had dis
covered it, and was driven away by it
A blaze of angry pride brought th'
blood back to her cheeks. She woult
convince him that he was mistaken,
the effort killed her.
If it concerns myself, or my hus
band" she sa d, Il insist upon know
ing. think it is my ieht to know"
1t concerns you both vitality he an
swered, "yet, unless you insist, woult
rather go away without telling you
"But do insist
He showed back the chair in whicl
he had been sitting, and arose an
stood before her W th folded arms.
We'll, them" he said in low, slo'
way-"1 am going away because | lov
you with all my heart and SOU
Gertrude"
,, She co cred her face with her hands
Her heart ceased beating, her Who'll
beng thr lied with the most exquisit
delight as she listened to his words
delight that was almost agony. II
loved her-he loved. All! now she wa
ready to die.
He reached forward and took he
hands from her face. She drew The,