Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-02-21
FOR HIS SAKE.

- wv A4Ao N)AAAAAS
''What an exquisite picture! Look
Hester"
We were in the orchard. Standing
beneath blossom-freighted tree, her
rounded arms uplifted, rifling one of
the low-bent branches of its pink
tinted treasure, was my cousin Thyra.
A month ago she had returned from
her foreign scoool course, and at NV
fathers invitation had come to spend
the summer with us.
/ had welcomed her cordially, and
had felt none but the most Affection
ate sentiments towards my dead aunt's
orphan child; but now as / saw the
look of admiration in Ralph's Hazel
tons eyes-those eyes that mirrored
heavens azure to me-a quick pang
darted through my heart.
Ralph Hazelton had been my ideal
of all that was good and noble my
whole life long, since when a tiny
child had looked up with grateful
eyes to the sturdy boy who had al
ways stood between me and anything
disagreeable.
We were both only children; but
while one of my parents-my dear fa-
ther-had been spared to me, Ralph
had early been left to fight alone his
own life 8 battle. He had come through
the ordeal well, winning his honors at
school and college fairly, and to the
admiration of all his friends, and now,
at twenty-four. he had as promising q
practice in his chosen medical field as
any young man might desire.
But strange to say, although it had
never before entered my mind that it
was strange, though scarcely day
passed that we did not meet, and
though had never tried to disguise
that my heart was wholly his, no bind
ing words had ever passed between us.
During the last month, Ralph had
been often in Thyra's society, and a
strong liking had sprung up between
them. At first had been pleased that
she. too, should appreciate him; but
that did not continue.
did not stay long in the orchard
that afternoon, but soon led the way to
the house. Ralph stayed to tea, but
all that evening was quiet and dull,
and therefore presented all the greater
contrast to Thyra, who sparkled with
her usual fun and spirits. charming
my father with her Scotch ballads,
lifted in voice as clear and pure as
birds.
The days went on.
Though had always known that 1
was neither handsome nor vivacious,
never before had SO realized my own
shortcomings as during the few past
swiftly-fying weeks. The truth was
and humiliating though it was, l
was obliged to confess i'll was ieal-
Gus with every fibre of my being.
One evening, as sat by my open win
dow, lost in fit of bitter musing, my
door suddenly opened, and little
white-clad figure stole softly in.
Coming to my side, Thyra wound
her arms about me.
Hester" she said, .'what is the mat
ter with you? You have not seemed
like yourself for some time. Are you
ill?"
AT the artless enquiry turned and
looked searchingly into her sweet
eyes. Nothing but truth was there.
1t was plain to me then that, though
each hour she spent in his society she
was winning my one love from me,
she was doing it all unconsciously.
Assuring her that nothing allied me
but slight depression of spirits,
1 led the conversation into other chan
nels.
After time, / spoke Ralph's name,
watching my cousin keenly as did
SO.
A smile broke over her face as she
exclaimed:
s.How noble he is! like him so
much! He thinks great deal of you,
Hester"
s.Why, what has he said about me?"
I asked, every pulse throbbing with
eagerness as the thought presented it
self that perhaps, after all, had been
mistaken.
He said that I was fortunate in
having for a companion one SO sensi-
BILE and womanly. That had he ever
had sister, he could have wished her
to be like you. He is an orphan like
myself, and without brothers or sisters,
is he not, Hester?"
ing her arm. l rose to my feet. say
ing:
:.It is almost eleven o'clock. am
tired, Thyra.
After thaA Ralph himself interro-
gated me as to my health.
..Are you not well, Hester?" he
asked.
..WeI enough" replied brusquely.
Zone cannot always be laughing"
My tone surprised and wounded
him; indeed, nothing more disagree
able than my manner to him. for some
time back, could be well imagined.
He regarded me for moment grave
ly; then, as / went on with my book