Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-08-20

| tain leave TO brlng you 10 call
Only this morning | pleaded in
vain, but this afternoon she sent
me a little note asking me to bring
YOU to see her.
"Will you go, Marian. You Will
see a face that will shock you by
its dreadful scars, but you will find
a heart of pure gold under the
frightful mask. And will you be a
sister to Minnie for my sakef She
is a dear, good girl, Marian, and
Won will soon love her, am sure"
81 shall be glad to go with you,
Frank, and we must try 20 have
your aunt receive Hester, too. No
body is so tender to an invalid as
Hester. and we can coax Minnie
ont. when my sister is at the cot
tage. Oh, Frank" and the brown
eyes grew misty with tears, 81 am
so sorry for your adnt. 1t must be
terrible "
"It is terrible. She was a very
handsome woman before the fire,
matured likeness of Minnie, and
Minnie is beautiful I"
$50 ! heard " said Marian.
"Have you seen herr She does
not go out yet, but she is in the
garden sometimes"
"I have not seen her; but Miss
Delmont, who lives nearly oppo-
site Myrtle Hill, told me she was
lovely
"Marian " cried Frank, as a sud
den suspicion flashed across his
brain, "what else did she tell you
I never thought of the misconstruc-
ton that might be put upon my
visits to the cottage till this minute.
| remember now how often | have
seen Miss belmont at the window
as | passed to and from the cottage.
Did she tell you | sent fruit and
flowers there, that | kissed Minnie,
my sister in all but name from ba-
byhood :"
Marian's face was sufficient an
swer to Franks eager question;
but the brown eyes met his own
fearlessly and frankly, as he asked;
"And did you doubt me, Ma
rian y
"IIester told me to trust you,
Frank, and l did trust you fully
Had you thought best to keep your
secret longer, | should have never
doubted or questioned YOU
The horses stopped before the
little cottage as she spoke, and her
lovers only reply was a look of
loving gratitude. Minnie stood at
the door waiting for them, and Ma
rian gave her warm, sisterly en-
brace, thinking her face one OF the
loveliest she had ever seen, and
wondering a little how Franks love
could ever have strayed away from
his own home.
Two hours later, Clementina
belmont, who had been nursing a
sick headache all the afternoon,
opened her bedroom window for a
> breath of fresh air. Her mother
ioined her as she cried
81 declare Here are Frank
Bradshaw's bay horses and his
open carriage in front OF the cot
tage. | wonder if he is going to
, take that girl to drive. | guess
. that will open Marian's eyes. They
are coming out now. No! that is
Marian with him, and they are both
: kissing the girl. Who can she be
lie has no sister, ! know. DO see
. Marian holding her hand, and talk
ing as lovingly as If she had known
her all her lite. And here comes
v the gardener with great basket
o of cut flowers and some early pears
6 and grapes. Well, 1 can't under
> stand it at all"
= But Miss belmont was very glaC
3 to understand it after the wedding
II where Minnie was bridesmaid, ant
d lady, heavily vailed, sat beside
= Hester in the pew. For Mrs. Brad
/, shaw's entertainments were tb'
o wonder ofKeyport and Cousin Min
T. ME was undoubtedly the belle there
Is her mother gladly sparing her t.
10 enjoy Marian's hospitality.
T. And Marian, in her long slsterl.
t, talks with Hester, who came b,
e. Franks invitation to share he
W home, was never weary Of whisper
% ing:
10 81 am so glad | conquered m
rs jealousy and trusted Frank
g. should have never forgiven mysel
N if | had made accusations or aquaI
K. rel out of Tina Delmonts stories"
y Vann uaklni I'm