Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-05-01
A STRANGE FATE.


and Jessie Rue was twenty-three, and, as
her uucle said, it was time for her to
choose. There were times that she fancied
DR.. Manly more than Ashley Honey vel,
and other times when the latter's handsome
face had more interest aud influence in her
thoughts.
What decided her to give up the doctor
was the fact that he was very attentive to
one of his patients, an invalid girl, to whom
he brought flowers every day.
Soon after this discovery Jessie became
engaged to Honeywell, and every prepare
ton was made for an early marriage. The
doctor still called on her nearly every day,
but it was to get flowers from her cOnser-
vatory, which she had placed at his dispos-
al.
One day little boy came running toward
her from the street. He was in search of
the doctor, lie said, because Miss Gwendo-
line was very i'll, mentioning the name of
the DOCTORS favorite patient.
Jessie lost no time in Fastening herself to
the invald's home in the hope of being of
some assistance until DR.. Manly was found.
She was soon in the presence of the poor
girl, who had been suffering terribly.
"You have come" said the girl. 81 am
SO glad-so glad. They came this morn
ing. 1 saw both Of them. You don't know,
perhaps. Mother smiled, father looked
stern; but they will forgive me after a
while. They are both dead; but they came;
/ saw them"
"In dreamw asked Jessie.
stNo" said Gwendoline. "Their spirits
came. Think how strange that was. You
know l was engaged to my cousin, DR..
nIanly?"
NO." said Jessie, 81 did not know"
IT was,'' said Gwendoline, "but Tilted
him. He was not handsome. He was very
grave and older than I, and liked Ashley
Ashley Honeywell-and one night l ran
away. Oh. it was years ago. l am five
and twenty now; was seventeen then, and
my father died of it, and my mother-oh, !
was wicked girl.
"We went to Italy. He married me,
with ring. He said it was true mar
rage l believed it; but one day he told
me it was no marriage at all. He was in
love with an Italian woman-a singer.
spoke of it, and of myself as a wife, to
whom he should be true. Then he said l
was not his wife. He said l was o fool to
believe that a ring and VOW between us
two could make me one, and ran away.
] hid on steamer coming to America. l
was starved and frozen when they found
me. l had this cough. They were good
to me, and brought me here. But my par
euts were dead, and the only one who knew
me was the man had jilted-my cousin,
Oliver Manly.
ooh, how strange it was What heart
he hasl He brought me here to old Han
nah, servant of ours once. He has been
the kindest friend to me. l told mother So.
She smiled. She was in white, with eyes
like an angels. You are like an angel
What is your name?"
"Jessie," replied the other girl, softly.
"You don't know Ashley Honeywell"
asked the girl. "You co not know him.
He is far away, l suppose; far over the sea.
You never knew him.
81 know him now," said Jessie softly.
eyes, because l have told you,' said
Gwendoine. ST left him, but | never
forgot him So beautiful Such eyesl All
women love him."
Jessie bent her head upon the pale hand
she held, and tears fell.
"Don't cry for me-" said Gwendoline.
81 am going very soon-to Heaven-to my
mother. l shall pray there that some good
girl will love Cousin Oliver-some beauti-
full woman-like-you"-
She ceased speaking and q soft smile
crept over her face.
'sMother ~ she said. t'Motherp'
The sound of wheels filled the cottage
room. The doctors gig was coming. He
was there.
That evening Jessie stood alone with
Ashley Honeywell and drew his engage
ment ring from her finger and gave it to
him.
"Whyi' he asked.
''I have met Gwendoline," she said.
''Today Isaw her die. Do need say more,
Mr.. Honeowell?"
"You believe her story?" he asked.
81 do, indeed" she answered.
"And you intend to look for man who
shall have no little follies to regret before
you make your choice?" said he. "You
will search long"
She turned from him with contempt, and
he left her.
Down in the garden some one moved to
and fro. twas DR.. Mauly. He was gath
ering white chrysanthemums, the last
flowers of the garden. Jessie went to his
side. Without word she began to help
him. They were the last flowers he would
ever gather for Gwendoline's sake. They
were strewn in her coffin, and she slept in
their midst with that soft smile upon her
face, and Jessie seemed to hear again those
verbs:
81 will pray that some good woman may
love Cousin Oliver and make him happy"
and she seemed to hear them years after
ward when she had long been DR.. Manly's
wife.
ooh why should the spirit of mortal be
proud ?'' We have often wondered why, and
have concluded that we don't know, unless