Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-07-07
AFTER MANY. YEARS.

81 know am not rich," said . young
man in the prime of his powers, and his
eyes blazed Indignantly as he made the
statement. II know am not rich. But
what of thatf Does wealth make mani
Not much. A man makes wealth. shall
be RICH"
81 know all that, Ernest; and you know
that l care nothing about your poverty.
love you all the more because you are
poor and have your own way to make in
the world. But papa objects to my mar
rying you ON that account. He says that
you are not In our circle; you are too
young and that he doesn't like You any
way
The speaker was a young woman just
turned 90. She was small in stature, but
as symmetrically proportional as the
finest product of ali artists chisel She
had q lovely face and large eyes that were
irresistible in the depth and sweetness of
their expression. She spoke in n soft,
sweet voice, and the tears believed her
peach blow cheeks, as she looked upon
the handsome, reSolute man at her side,
who had fallen into deep study and
seemed not TO hear what Celestine Orman
said. After moment he looked toward
her and said with deep feeling:
"What is wealth compared to the love
bear for you, Celestinef'
''Oh, / know that 1t Is nothing, but
papa doesn't think SO. He gauges every
man by his bank account and his social
rank"
''But wealth and social rank are In the
reach Of every honest man who will labor
to obtain them 1t Is the man."
II know. But papa insists that should
marry Spencer Drake, who has plenty Of
money and social position, and"-
mo brains, no eharacterp' exclaimed
Ernest Vance. IAN elegant nobody"
II know all that"
"And would you marry such q thing,
Celestiney'
mot while am In possession Of my
senses and Ernest Vance Is In the land Of
the living"
Ernest grasped the hands Of the young
girl and looked into her clear, intellectual
eyes, and felt that they mirrored all his
soul crayed for. So they did. Celestine
Orman was a gem OF woman. As rich
rs cream, with masterful win and strong
intellect, which had been thoroughly Gull
tivated, she was the idol of her home and
the admired and courted Of the highest
SOCiul ClTCleS OI new 1UEk.
what shall dol" asked Celestine. 81
do not wish to offend my father. never
will marry Spencer Drake, and could
wait an age for you TO come and claim
me. have plenty of wealth Of my own,
but father Is old, and he has set his heart
upon my marrying Drake He says a
great deal depends upon It.; more than /
think for, aud that Ii l were to marry a
poor man like you are now il would be
simply suicidal What shall do,'
Ernest Vance looked at her moment
and then turned his eyes to another point
In the richly furnished room and relapsed
into state Of reflection. He always did
this when he had kuotty problem to
solve. The young woman watched him
with admiring eyes. She adored him--his
intellect, his fearless Independence Of
character, his royal self-reliance and as
surauce After while he said:
''Celestine, I will tell you what You
shall do-you shall wait for me. / shall
go away; 90 west and make name and
fortune, and then come and claim you.
never cared to live In New York. There
are too many lawyers here anyway. A
man has to rise by slow and painful
stages. The west Is o new country. A
man Of energy, push and talent In reccg-
nized Immediately, and he has no draw
backs such as he has here. VIII go
away"
..0h, Ernest, that win be dreadful, -
exclaimed Celestine, and the tears glist-
ened in her eyes.
1T Ia best TO do 90" said Ernest. 81
win goaway. Tshall not see you OF write
to You in six years from tonight. II
succeed will come and claim You SIX
years from this hour. II I fail--T VIII not
return to you
There was silence as II In the presence
Of death. And they sat side By side for
many minutes withou, uttering o word.
Then Ernest Vance arose and 50 did Celes-
tine. He took her hands In his and said
in voice that trembled:
aWellsp
st Is best as you say. I win walt for
you" And they parted.