Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-12-08
T1oLETS OR DIAMONDS I

charming cupid's bow:
DEAREST MARIAN-Please pardon
the adjective, as / have no right to
use it-yet. But with this little note
I send You cluster Of violets-my
favorite iowers-asking that you
will wear them at Mrs. Marchmont's
party this evening if my love is re-
turned. l will not believe that John
Trevlyn's gold will outweigh my
love. Tonight / shall know wheth-
er you choose violets or diamonds.
God grant it be the former!
Yours, for time and eternity,
PAUL DAMON.
Marian's eyes were humid as she
pressed the letter to her trembling
lips before laying it down to peruse
! the other, which ran thus:
MISS MARIAN LESTER am not
much Of hand at luv maxim. l can
only say want a wife, and think
you wud suit me. / have got plenty
Of money, as you know, and promise
to give you all the silks and fine
things that you wimmin folks lik.
/ look ont as bein good bargain
you give me youth and buty-l give
you gold and diamonds. | am will
in to take your invalid aunt-that /
heerd you took care Otto liv with
us-and she can 60 south-if her
niece is the welthy Mrs. John Trev-
lyn-and get back her helth-and
seeing that che has TUX care OF you
since child, and ii. she brok down,
its no morn right that you shud do
this for her. "a fair exchange you
see." If there's eny chance for me
will you wear this diamond pin at
the neck of your dress at Mrs.
Marchmonts party tonight, and |
will understand that l may call and
pay my respects.
Devotedly yours,
JOHN TREvLYN.
The girl shuddered as she dropped
this letter beside the other.
"I cannot! 1t makes me shiver to
think of being that coarse uncducat-
ed mans wife. But my dear love is
poor, and / do want money so much
for auntie's sake, not mine. Paul
and / could be happy with very lit
tle."
Her saliloquy was broken by a
sweet voice from an adjoining room.
"Marianl Marian! What are you
doing out there so long? 7"
"Deciding my tate, Aunt Lottie,"
answered the girl, as she entered her
aunt's room with the two letters in
her hand.
"What do you mean ?" half fret
fully, II don't like parallels"
Marian stood for a moment look
ing at the pretty invalid, who, in
spite of her 40 years and i'll health,
was girlish in appearance.
"Well, auntie, / will not plague
you by hidden meanings. l meant
what / said-I am deciding my fate,
or I shall decide it tonight. Now,
dear Aunt Lottie, want your adj
vice."
She came to the invalid's lounge
and kneeling down beside her look
I'D up with sweet, pathetic appeal.
""Well, child, what is it. ?" asked
Miss Parsons, moved by the sad
usefulness upon her face.
"Auntie, my mother was your sis
ter" she began, in a tremulous voice.
"That's remark that hardly needs
an answer" her aunt said, smiling.
"You have known that for years.
Has anyone doubted the fact my
| dearr
i want you, auntie, to act in the
place Of my mother now; that is
what want to say. My fate will be
decided by my wearing bunch of
violets or diamond pin to night,
and you must tell me which to
choose"
Marian spoke excitedly, and end
ed by bursting into tears.
"Marian have you gone crazy 7"
cried her astonished aunt.
"Read these-they will explain p
thrusting the two letters she held in
to her aunt's hand.
Miss Parsons, spinster, even at 40,