Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-07-05
ogstho love that had been

| utrA. fWNtHi
There is some mistake, ',she would
cry, "somo awful mistake .tShe did not
mean =, she would not, living me as
= Who're were the many friends that
hid thronged around her in her days Of
prosperity and wealth? Had they gone
too, all Of them?
ALONE, all alone, she cried, ''noue
TO love mo now" $500
| "Marion." j -
So buried was she In her own sad
thoughts that she had not heard the
drawing-room door open and sons one
enter. She started as her name Ring
through the room. and raising her head
quickly. gazed up into the eyes OF Allen
Ford bent tenderly upon her.
"Not alone, not unloved. for Marion
! am here. Did you think I would
leave you in your loneliness? who
love yon 40. Whan I,haard .shat you
had been cast upon the world. my sym
patty went out to you. yet in my heart
Marion | was glad said to myself
will go to her now, and tell her this
that is in my heart, she would not be-
lieve then that was trying to win her
for her wealth"
Darling, have come to you, am
here beside you, to plead with you to
come out of your loneliness to me. to
brighten my life, as will try to brighten
yours. The home ask you to is not Us
beautiful as this, but think you would
be contented there. think could
make you happy. my darling. look up
Marion" for she had bent her head
again upon her, arms; "look up and tell
me that you yill come to me and be my
She raised her face. so bright now
with happiness. "How could I have
doubted you she said, yet I thought
you were like the rast
And you will love mo, Marion I"
"Love you" she answered, I hardly
think | could love you more than I do
now il tried"
n
The last Of the golden sunbeams crept
in the window, and fell in streams of
gold over the pale glistsning satin robe
that adorned the fair young bride, for
tonight Marion Harland was to leave
her childhood homo and 20 out into the
world the wife of Allen Ford.
Girlish fingers had placed the bridal
veil and wreath upon the graceful head.
and with cluster of roses and lilies in
her hand. she stood at the window gaz-
ing out upon tho old familiar grounds
that tonight she was to leave forever
Her thoughts had wandered from the
present, over tho intervening years since
first she came to the old mansion. Sud
denly thought Of tho letter that had
been placed in her hand the day OF her
aunt's funeral came to her, and crossing
the room to her desk, she drew forth
the packet that had lain there only six
months, only six, yet how long IL seemed
and how she missed her still. "For
my niece, Marion Harland, to be opened
on her wedding day"
"What could it be? She broke the
seal, which disclosed another letter adj
dressed to Mr.. Crosby, and a note for
herself. Hastily she read: when you
open this it will DO on your wedding
day, and l pray happy day It will DO
to you. my darling, and worthy hus.
band who will win you. Send for Mr..
Crosby at once, and let him read before
your guests the packet enclosed you
will then understand how | put your
lovers to the test"
This WIS all Marion wondered what
il meant she rang the bell and sum
moned Mr.. Crosby, who in short while
came to her. and into his hand she
placed the envelope.
In the brilliantly lighted drawing
room, before the assembled guests, he
broke tho seal and read Twas only u
will dated one day later than the one
which had been read six months before.
in which Mrs. Williott bequoathed man
sion, land and bank deposit to her be-
loved niece, Marian Harland.
The words fell like thunderbolt up
on the crowd, and to Marion it was more
of surprise than to the rest.
She knew now, ah yes, she under
stood how she had put her lovers to the
test. Where now was the other devoted
admirer, Frederick Thgoap, who had
whispered into her ear,"Life without
you Is not worth livingr All where
was he, indeed? Knoeling at another
woman's shrine, while cursing his fate
at having lost the heiross of Williott
Mansion.
Out in the starlight among the flow
ers and dow-drops, Marion Ford, clasped
in her husbands arms. looked up into
bis eyes.
"The old home is still mine," she
whispered, "and with II | have won the
noblest husband woman ever had," aud
then with an answering smile she told
him how, through the shrewdness Of
Aunt Mordant, he had been put to the
test.
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