Connecticut western news., 1891-11-19
THE STORY OF EVA RAY.

THE STORY OF EVA RAY.
 had always loved Frank Barron, and do not think that 1 could help it if l had tried. It began when we went to school together. Surely it is better to love than to hate Gladys Martin was prettier than 1. Gladys was my cousin. and when Frank was twenty-two he suddenly discovered that she was the girl he wanted for wife. offered him. self and was accepted.
 Now, when l heard that from her own lips. l went away tony room for awhile. and knelt down beside the bed and prayed for my soul For felt the most unreasonable anger and jealousy thrill me from head to foot
 And why should feel so? Only satan knew, was assured-only satan And when arose from my knees had con- quered him within me. was Franks friend, who loved him as a sister. and nothing more, and l went to the we'd ding, and was first bridesmaid to Gladys. and said to myself that there were some women to whom love and joy were given and some who had their duties to per. form, and that was of the latter sort and Cousin Gladys of the former.
 Frank Barron was only poor doctor, and Cousin Gladys had nothing. But was rich. and when they went to the country town where he was to practice. 1 went with them. had lost my relish for the gay life had led in the city, and l had made up my mind to be 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. knew And so it proved. She never guessed- nor did he-how much trouble they would have had but for me,
 As it was. every one was saying what . pretty home they had. and how well the young wife cared for it, and how nicely she dressed.
 ron's cousin, Evangeline Ray, and l think many thought me poor one.
 What did care so that Gladys and Frank were happy and fond of mef After awhile there was some one else to love-a little girl baby. who soon grew to believe that there was no one else like Aunt Evangeline, and later came boy When he was but two years old there was sent to Gladys a cablegram from England, where her grandfather (no kin of mine, 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 to live, and prom c1o La loo l,, his fortune.
 Duty and interest both called upon her to go. but still she cried out. How could she? An! how could she-how could she leave the babies and brave the sea alone? Where were the needful things for a voyage to be got at a moments no tice? What should she do? But 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 peo pie whom l knew who happened to be going on the same boat-as if she were a child. She seemed so young and fair and girlish that no one could believe that she had been married SO many years. and could see that she would enjoy herself for all her pretty terrors. and her last words were: "Take care of Frank and the babies, 1 wouldn't leave them with any one but you. You are our guardian angel" was glad It is so much to me to be loved. and always was and always will be. went back to Frank and the children The old servant, half cook, half house keeper, whom had engaged. and who knew how 1 managed to make Frank and Gladys believe that they lived on | what would never have suficed for half their needs, made it proper thing for | me to stay. Indeed, the idea that it was | not proper never had crossed either of | our minds | We were very quiet after Gladys was gone. Sometimes fancied that Frank looked more content than he usually did. Gladys, though so pretty and gay in company, had a way of fretting him in private. Our time was half taken ur in soothing her. Now and then she quarreled with him because. working as he did at his profession, he had little time for company. She wanted him to change his nature. it seemed to me
 Now no one bothered him. l kept the children in their little nursery, and ir the evening when he sat down with us if he were not called away, let hin lead the talk, as men like to do. | knew, too, what callers he would like to see, and which to entertain my self, and. of course, being only his wife'' cousin, did not expect him to spend any time entertaining me.
 l However, he often drove me out
 with the children. of course-and WI
 enjoyed the ride. And the poorer pa
 tieuts fell to asking to see me and tell
 ing me their troubles, and when coult
 help them did.
 You'd make 8 far better doctor
 wife than the real one does," an ol'
 woman oaid to me once. "She turns u]
 her nose at us poor folks, and seems t
 think my ailments always somethinl } catching. God send ye doctor of you
 own, missI"
 laughed, but was glad Frank Ba, ron did not hear her.
 We got letter from Gladys as 800
 as she reached London. Her grandfathe
 was dying of cancer, she ssid, and migh hve a long while, and indeed he did
 She wrote, but not very often. and th
 months wont by and 8 year was gone
 Then the poor old gentleman died. ane
 till there were things to be done abou
 he will Five months more went. ant
 hen indeed she wrote that she was com
 nx. She named the steamer. and VI
 beard of Its sailing.
 , Then nothing moro. What happenet
 10 one knsv-po one will ever know.
 piece of her hulk was all that was eve
 sound, and there was woe In Engian' {. and vvoa in America Husbands api