Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-09-19
FIST LOVE.
THROUGH DEVIOUS WAYS.

Five years ago l was engaged W LulLA
Martyr. She Tilted me when it became
known that my grandfather, instead OF
making me his heir, had left his money to
charity. Since then l had tried to stamp
her memory out CT my heart, but though l
was engaged to Evelyn Lee, the face of
Edith was perpetually rising before me.
When saw nv first love again it was at
a charity fair. She looked thin and pale.
Thought. but her face flushed when she
saw me. She was presiding at one of the
booths and as she seemed anxious to talk
to me / sat down.
81 suppose you heard of my fathers
DEATH" she began. "He told me in his
last hours that he had believed our-our
affection for each other only childish
romance and SO took your letter and ring
from my desk and sent them back to you.
He was ambitious for me to marry WELL
He did very wrong, but forgive him. |
wanted you to know the TRUTH" and her
lips quivered. 81 did not want you to
think so ill of me-"
"Thank God, il was not true" l cried
with relief. "Why did l not know this
sooner. 1 am engaged to the best girl in
the world. 1t is very hard"
"Don't make me regret having spoken
to you" said Edith. 81 only wanted you
to know the truth"
sWhat fool have been," l sighed.
Just then / saw Evelyn's face above a
screen behind me. She was coming for a
cup of coffee with her brother. She smiled,
as l thought, strangely.
"You see have kept my PROMISE" I
cried, with forced gayety.
She smiled again.
Show pale you arey' I said, going to
her side.
"Iam tired" she answered. excepting
shop oil day is not easy work, even if it is
for charity"
SIT is that; nothing else," said to my
self.
If she had caught the words she would
not have understood. She saw Edith
Martyr before.
'1his fair is too much for Evelyn. She
is worn out" said her mother to me, one
day soon after. 81 wish it were over.
Try to bring her home early tonight, Ed
ward.'
And with conscience not so clear as it
should have been of wandering thoughts
and vain regrets, I set forth to do my duty,
vowing never to fail in ally show of love or
care for the dear girl who had promised to
be nv wife, and who loved me SO truly. I
would not even see Edith Martyr again, l
vowed to myself. l had been fool, but l
would not be rascal. AS walked along
the streets I was so wrapped IN my own
thoughts that did not notice an unusual
commotion IN them, which grew greater as
l approached the building where the fair
was held. About the door was a great
crowd-not a crowd of pleasure-seekers-a
terrified, excited crowd, restrained from
forcing an entrance into the fair by dozen
armed policemen.
"What has happened?'' l asked, as 1
forced myself forward.
ga floor has fallen in," answered the
officer 1 addressed
81 have lady friend in the building"
said. "Can go imp
''Stand backp' was the curt answer.
I ran to the other doors. Ali were be-
sieged; all guarded. Finally I remember
ed a window at which thought it possible
to creep in. Stealthily made my way to
it. 1t was open. I sprang to the sill.
s'Come backr' shouted some one behind
me.
But paid no heed to the cry as drop
ped to the floor within.
All was tumult and CONSERVATION there.
Many of the visitors had left the building,
but those who bad charge of the tables yet
remained. The injured were being taken
from the debris under which they were
buried; and, alas! l saw that the floor that
had fallen was that of the department il
which Evelyn had been placed. Trembling
and horror stricken, l hurried through tc
the room in ahich the wounded we're being
carried, for only part Of the building
which was quite independent of the rest
was in danger.
Thereon! the woe of the moment!-
there found her. There was no hope.
saw that at glance. And those who loveC
her could not have wished her to live. Blu
her sweet face was not disfgured, and shs
turned her dear eyes upon me very tender
ly.
81 am so glad you have come, Edwardp
she painted. 81 want ito tell you something
That girl-that brunette-I know she il
not hurt, for I saw her while ago. She
brought me some water. You must marry
her, Edward"
ooh, Evelynl'' sobbed.
1 was very, very miserable after that.
thought my heart was broken, and 1 suf
fered from remorae that almost maddened
me, said that l would never, never
marry. And I meant it at the time.
Nevertheless, Edith Martyr has been my
beloved wife for many years now. When
told her what Evelyn's dying request
was, she said she thought dying requests
sacred thugs, which should never be tri
fed with. And so l didn't tri1e with
EVelyn's, but married Edith, as the dear,
dying girl told me to do; aud we have
been very happy.