The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-07-24

after a little struggle to keep back
the tears, Marian let them have
their way with Hesters's arm around
her and Hester's face bending over
her.
The elder sister, gentle and loving
did not try to check the weeping
she saw was the relief of an overbur-
dened heart, but when Marian had
sobhed herself quiet she said, softly:
"What is the matter, Marian? ? l
saw Tina belmont going out-has
she made mischief ?"
"It is about Frank, Hester. l
would not let her see that l cared,
but her story troubles me. l don't
mean that I am jealous, but it hurts
me to feel he has any secret from
me-"
"What did Tina tell you?"
"You remember the cottage at the
foot of Myrtle Hill, where the Shell
tons lived so long2 1t is part of old
Mr.. Bradshaw's property. Tina
says that nearly two weeks ago fur
niture was taken there, carpets put
down, and the house made ready
for tenants, who came in the night,
nobody knows from whore. There
is an old servant, very deaf, who
does all the marketing and outdoor
errands, and a very beautiful girl,
who has been seen sometimes at the
window Three people went from
the carriage to the house, but only
these two have ever been seen. But
Hester, Tina says that every day
Franks gardener carries q basket Of
the choicest fruit from his place,
and a bouquet of his loveliest flow
ers to the cottage, and she has seen
him going in several times"
"Why not ask Frank?"
because it looks as if l suspected
him, or was prying into his private
affairs. 1 am not jealous, Hester.
1 believe Frank loves me as dearly
as 1 love him but it does look odd
doesn't it?"
Hester did not reply. It certain
ly did look odd, and yet she was
unwilling to give Marian pain or
to think evil Of Frank, whose hand
some face, cordial manner and
straightforward wooing had won her
warm sisterly affection. She had
been glad to see her sisters future
promise so much happiness, as she
it would have in Frank Bradshaw's
care and any cloud that threaten
ed Marian's sunshine was shadow
on Hester's life as well.
On the other hand, why, if his
love was not given to Marian, had
Frank sought her for his wife =?
He was rich, his own master, a fav-
orite in society, and man of great
personal attractions. There was
scarcely a girl in Keyport who
would not have been proud of
Frank Bradshaw's love. And he
had chosen Marian. True, Marian
was very pretty, graceful and ac-
complished, but the sisters were
joint heiresses of a very small cot
tage, and an income that required
close economy to feed and clothe
them without debt. Marian had
never owned, even for "very best, "
such dresses as Tina belmont wore
for every day walks. Tina's father
lived in a pretentious house, kept a
carriage, had a conservatory, and
was lavish in expenditures to graft
fly his only child, and yet Frank
Bradshaw had passed by Tina's
great black eyes, her rustling silks
and glittering jewels to seek Mar
ian's love.
He had come to Keyport from
New York, where he had lived from
boyhood, and he was not accustom-
ed to the curiosity and prying of
small towns. Totally unaware that
his movements were exciting COM
ment OR speculation, he busted him
self in arranging his uncle's estate
TO suit his own convenience, giving
his leisure time to Marian and the
mysterious occupants of the cottage
{ 1t was late on the afternoon aftel
Tina's call that Hester came to Mar
ian's room to tell her that Frank
had called to take her for q drive.
"Take a shawl, Marian" said the
careful elder sister "The evenings
are growing cold. And, Marian,
she added, drawing her sister into {
r close embrace, "trust him. 1 can
= not believe there is any wrong hid
den behind his honest, good face"
f "I will trust him." Marian said
"In his own good time he will tel
me what it is best for me to know
/ So the face that greeted Franl
was as bright and unclouded as th
sky above their heads, and Marial
G chatted as pleasantly as if the ittl