Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-02-19

ement-houSe nad Deen u servant III Ihe
Pleasanton family, and came to Fannie,
who was rich and generous, whenever
any distress came to her notice. And
Fannie had gone ut her last call,to lind
Barbara Golling tossing in delirious
fever, evidently overworked, poorly fed,
and sitting in the little attic chamber.
She had paid for better room on
lower floor, had sent doctor, had sup
piled medicines, food and care, had WIS.,
tied her often, till the doctor pronoun-
ced her on the road to recovery.
And in return she had heard that
Cyrus, her own betrothed husband, was
the lover of Barbara Golding. "Does
he love her yet 2" the girl thought,
pushing back the hair from her pale
face, and looking in the mirror. II
am far handsomer. She is pretty only,
sweet and fair. l am handsome and
accomplished. She is pauper, | am
wealthy Cyrus is not poor now, since
his aunt died but he will rise to en-
inence with my wealth to aid him,
while she will be but burden upon
him. Only week. Long before Bar
bara can even sit up, we shall be on our
way TO Europe, and he will soon for
get her. Why did he seek me il he
loved Ter ? 1t was onlya a request of
his aunt's, not a command, that he
should marry me il L consented. But
re came to me, and love him-I loye
him Can Barbara give him better
love than mine can give her mon
ey to return to her old home, il she
wishes But il he loyes her Oh,
Cyrus, do you love her and not me ]
cannot doubt 1 must know 10
AS if in answer to the thoughts SER
want raped at the door, and, opening
it, Fannie was handed Cyrus Lennox's
card.
s.I will come down at once" she
said, taking off her hat and smoothing
her disordered hair. She was not sor-
ry that he had called while the first ex-
citement of her discovery neryed her
with fictitious strength to endure any
word she might speak. She came to
him quietly, dignified as ever, but very
pale, so pale, he asked anxiously If she
was well.
"Well, but tired" she answered. 81
have been out this morning"
They talked of Indifferent matters
for short time then Fannie said, ear
nestly
"Cyrus, I have a craving desire to
ask you one true woman's question.
Will you promise me sincere ans
wer ?''
He hesitated moment, then said:
II will answer truthfully whatever
you ask"
Ibid you eyer love any other woman
before you knew me ?'
do you not think it enough to know
| love you now ?'' he said.
"Y0u promised me sincere answer,
and you give me an evasion" she said,
reproachfully.
"Because you asked me to tear open
an old wound your love is healing"
"Yet, even if it pains both you and
me, 1 beg you tell me of your first
love-"
Fannle's lips were parched aud stiff.
but she spoke calmly.
''Since you insist" Cyrus said grave
ly, 81 will tell you. Two years ago, in
farm house where | was boarding J
met woman, or rather girl, a sweet,
fair maiden, whom 1 loved. l was a
poor man. then, Fannie, aud she had
happy. pleasant home. So l bade
her farewell, hoping to return the next
year and bring her home to the city.
When did return the farm was sold,
and Barbara had gone away. None of
the neighbors could tell me anything
of her."
''It was your place to seek her ~
~ did, faithfully. But could find
no trace of her whereabouts. In the
autumn my aunt died. She had loved
you for years, and her last wish was the
hope that you would one day be my
wife. 1t was a sweet solace to meevsn
in my sorrow for her loss, and pain at
Barbara's disappearance, to have your
sympathy, and 1 soon found there was
yet room in my heart for true, tender
love. You cannot believe would have
asked you to be my wife had not low
ed you p''
but if, even now, you found Bar
bara ?"
81 have long ago ceased to seek
her 10
"Yet, If she came to you ?"
.You are my betrothed wife 20
"YeU if Barbara came to you. poor,
! friendless and sick if she told you she
had come to the city seeking work,
hoping to find you. and had sunk under
her burden of loneliness and toll If
she told you, that ragged, footsore and