The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-02-03

My sister carried her off at once and
OF course Gerald followed. He did not
seem to take his eyes off her for mo-
ment.
"What a queer little fright she is-she
looks like an elf! He must only have
married ber from pity, suppose" l
could not help saying.
'Not fright, surely Edith answered
quickly; "we see her In an unisvorsble
moment. Her grief has told on her tace,
but she has glorious eyes and can see
what took Gerald. 1t Is her winning
manner, just like petled-cbid's y s.'s
/ glanced ct E lith admiringly think
ing what an angel Of forgiveness she
was, and when the bride came down
again I took malicious pleasure in com
pairing her with Edith
Edith, so fair and so lovely, with hair
like spun gold snd wild rose bloom on
her cheeks, and with a graceful, willowy
figure. And Ste-to call her by the Gu.
rious ahbreviation she wished-so small
and dusky, with colorless skin and
nothing to recommend her but two i'm
mense black eyes, which certainly were
as lustroas as twin stars, and as soft as
velvet.
Later In the evening when dinner was
over and Edith had drawn her away to
look at Gerald's drawings, be came up
and sat down by me.
ELLEN, you must not form an opinion
o. s e's attractions now he whis pered
earnestly. "She's not herself; naturally
she is bright and happy as bird and al
together charming. You must help to
chase away her troubles and bring back
her smiles. And then you don't know
how pretty my little one is when she
smiles" he went on enthusiastically.
And wondering how she could ever
be pretty l forgot to answer. So after q
momentary pause be said:
"Eiith is more beautiful than ever,
see."
"Ah, I thought, che could not help
comparing these two--the girl be had
needlessly thrown aside and The girl be
had linked himself to for life
1t vas not long before Ste was more
like herself, as Gerald said. Her sorrow
had been so wild aod so passionate tina,
naturally it soon wore itself out The
color soon came back 10 her dark cheeks,
an additional luster TO her eyes, and ]
could often hear Ter carolipg snatches OF
songs.
They were mostly r ech ones some
with wonderful pathos ttneing through
them; and her pronunciation OF her
mother tongue VAS the prettiest thing
imaginable. Yes, she was gro wing mer-
~ enough.
Gerald's love was 90 perfect, and be
filed the place of father, brother and
husband 40 entirely, as be said, that be
lett nothing to wish for.
My sister was growing very fond OF
her aud declared her to he remarkably
pretty, but could see no beauty in her;
my devotion to Edith utterly precluded
it.
She grew to be popular with GeraId's
men friends too Tnev. thought her
/, and bis especial friend, a young
doctor who was rapidly rising In his pro-
fession, and who had heen an admirer of
Edith, came more frequently than the
rest.
Before Gerald's marriage Dr. Percival
had made small progress in his wooing.
but since Filth had seemed more favor
ably inclined to ward him.
He was passionately fond of singing
and had superb voice. E iith could
not sing note, but Ste's and Mark Per-
civa's voices blended splendidly toge,b-
er. Thus hours we're spent-everv hour
l thought, that be could spare from bis
prsctice-in these duets.
And Gerald. who was also passionate.
lv fond of music, never seemed 10 tire OF
listening to the two.
l was very wicked, I know. l really
believed Ste 10 be arttul anu designing
ber childlike, blithe manner I fanced
was assumed; saw how happy she was
in the hours spent in Mark Percival's
society, and it made me dislike her ten
times more for finding pleasure any where
but with her husband.
l consoled myself with believing that
she was trying to bewitch poor Edith's
lover as she had bewitched my brother,
and listened when she said in her pretty,
childish fashion:
II wish Edith and DR.. Percivsl would
come; IT'S getting q ,ite ls.e-and they're
not here yet And miss ssn go. Isn't
DR.. Percival handsome aud accomplish
ed, Gerald -"
l don't think doubt of her ever en-
tered into his mind until put il there.
l began With u look or a little word
opportuaely dropped.
Then rushed into the thing suddenly
and shall never forget the expression oi
pain on bis face when said:
"Mark percivaI admires Ste very
much. Gerald. How we'll their voices
suit! ! think ifshe asd chanced to meet
her before her marriage you would have
bad very formidable rival"
He did not answer but be grew death.
ly white and, biting his lips, turned
away.
But had not done.
There was an excuse for me for low.
ed nv brother with all my heart, and |
was ealous of him
Hasn't Ste q wonderfully powerful
voice for such little creature ?"
"That is lovely thing she is singing
now. 1t is Beeihoven's Adelaide isn't
iti" he answered quietly.
.Yes. her favorita song. or rather
Mark Perciyals, which is about The
sare."
He looked at me sternly for the first
time in his life and then said:
"You have never really loved any one
Ellen. But be careful that you don't
p ant thorns that may prick you more
than anv oIe else"
His words we're prophetic.
How deeply reponted my wicked
ness no one knows. Yet at this time
hated Ste for being the cause of the first
rebuke that Gerald had given me, and In
Edith's ear I put word now and then
that soon built up wall of ice between
her and my brothers wife.
Gerald grew silent and even a little