The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-11-13
FRANK BARROES WIFE.

| bad always loved Frank Barron.
aud do not think that could help il
IL had tried. 1t began when we
went to school together. Surely it Is
better to love than TO hale. Gladys
Martin was prettier than ]. Gladys
was, my cousin. and when Frank was
% be suddenly discovered that she was
the girl he wanted for wife. offered
himself and was accepted.
Now. when I heard that from her
swn lips went away to my room for
awhile and knelt down beside the bed
and prayed for my soul. For felt the
most unreasonable anger aud jealousy
thrill me from head to foot.
And why should feel SOP Only Sa-
tan knew. ] was assured-only Satan.
Aud when I arose from my knees
had conquered him within me. | was
Franks friend. who loved him as sis
ter and nothing more. aud l went to
the wedding and was FIRST bridesmaid
TO Glsdys and said 10 myself there
were some women 10 whom love and
Joy were given and some who had
their duties TO perform. aud that was
one of the latter sort and Cousin GA
dys Of the former.
Frank Barron was only a poor doe
tor and Cousin GLADYS had nothing.
hut | was rich. aud when he went TO
the ceuntry town where he went to
practice went with them. had lost
my relish for the gay life had led in
the city and 1 had made up my mind
to he spinster. and felt that could
do great deal for Frank and Gladys.
She was one who never thought of the
future and could not manage small
income we'll, Il knew. And so it
proved. She never guessed-nor did
he-how much trouble they Awould
have bad but for me.
As 1t was every one was saying
what pretty home they had aud how
well the young wife cared for it, and
how nicely she dressed.
As for ME, they knew me rs Mrs.
Barron's cousin. Evangeline Ray. and
think many thought me poor one.
What did care SO long that Gladys
and Frank were happy and fond of
mes After awhile there was some ono
else to loYe---a little girl baby-wh6
soon grew to believe that there was no
one else like Aunt EraDgeline. and
later came boy. When he was but
txo years old there was sent to GLADYS
a cablegram from England, where her
grandfather (no kin of niue. for We
were cousins on the mothers side and
he was her fathers father) lay dying.
He wished Gladys TO come to him-to
remain with him for the few months
he had 10 live, aud promised her that
if che would he would leave her his
fartuae.
Duty and interest both called.-upou
her 10 go. but she still cried oct. how,
could shes An! how could she--how
could she leave the babies aud brave
the sca alone? Where were the need
fal things for a voyage to be GOT at a
moments noticee What conld she do!
Bat | had crossed the ocean thrice and
knew what TO do. ! had her trunks
packed and all in them that she could
want while she was still wondering
what To do. And took her to the
steamer and left her with people
whom I knew who happened to be
going on the same boat-asif she were
4 child.
She seemed 30 young aud fair, and
girlish that no one could believe that
she had been married so many years.
aud ] could see that she would enjoy
herself for all her pretty terrors. and
Der last words were: Take care of
Crank AID the babies. l wouldn't
leave them with any one but you. You
are our guardian. angel"
Twas glad. 1t is so much to me to
be loved. and always was aud always
will be.
&edt back 10 Frank and the chill
dren: The old servant, half cook. half
housekeeper. whom I had engaged and
who knew how ] managed to make
Frank aud, Gladys believe that they
lived on what would never have suf-
iced for half their needs. made. it 4
proper thing for me to stay. Indeed.
the idea that Ii WAS NOT proper never
had crossed either of our minds. 4
We were very quiet after Gladys was
gene. Sometimes fancied that Frank
looked more content than he usually
did. Gladys. though 90 pretty and
gay 10 company. had way Of fretting
him in private. Our time was half
taken, up In soothing her. Now and
then She quarreled with him because.
working as be did at his profession. he
had slittie time for company. She
wanted him TO chauge his nature. it
seemed TO me. Now no one bothered
him. Il kept the children in their'little
nursery. and in the evening when he
sat d2wa. with us. if he were not called
away. let him lead the talk, as men
like &oxlo. u
Knew. too. what callers he would
like to see, and which to entertain NV
self, and, of course. being Gully his
wifeS cousin. Edid not expect him to /,
spend any time entertaining me.
However. he, often drove me out |
with. the children: of course. and We
enjored the ride. And the poorer /
patieDts fell TO asking 90 see me and
,elllsg ms .their. troubles. add when Ii
eouE 8elRtlseui / did, =. II
You'd make a far better Doctors |
wife than the real one does" ss old |
woman said to me once. She tarss !
up her rpse ct q. poor folks. and seems !
to think nay ailments something catch
Ing Ing; .s sss ssad ye . .is0esof' Of your
I laughed, but was glad Frank
Bsrrca, did a0t hear her,; ~ |
We got letter from Gladss as soon
- she reached London. Her grand
father was dying H cancer. she said.
and Rlght lhe aelo1g while. and ins
deed be did. She wSete. but not very
often, and he months went by aad a
year was gone. Thea the poor old /
geatieman' died, aHd still there were
things to be dene about the will. Five
montks more weRt and thea Indeed