The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-06-10
THE HISTORY OF ONE OLD
MAID.

/ MAlD.
There wae once twin sisters, pretty
and petite, as twins often are, and they
grew TO be women without losing their
beauty. They were named Dora and
Cora, and at times you could scarcely
tell them apart, unless you knew them
very well indeed. They were very much
admired, and at the age Of 20 Dora had
an offer.
She was visiting an aunt at the time,
and there were those who believed that
this was the reason why the offer was
made, because when the sisters were to-
gether no man knew which he had fall
en- in love with.
Dora being alone, young Chester knew
quite well that she was the only woman
in the world 10 him. With American
Independence she accepted him, and az
terward received the sanction Of her par
ents' approval Her sister was delight
ed with her choice, and all seemed
well.
The engagement was quite open and
much spoken Of the marriage was to be
a; the end Of the year, and Dora was
delighted TO see how fond Cora ap-
peared 10 be Of her brother-in-law TO
[ be.
He on his part vas in no wise to blame
for what followed. He liked Cora, but
to him there were a thousand charming
differences in his own Dora" He
thOught her expression sweeter, her col
or more beautiful, and her figure more
dainty.
He had never been so happy in lis
life. He had received an appointment as
consul TO a small German state, and
there would b. parting from friends
for the bride to undergo. But to him il
was all happiness. And what newly
made husband does not prefer TO have
his young wife to himself for awhile,
however charming and agreeable her
rlstiyes may be. Handsome, fond of
each other, rejoicing in the approval of
all who had right to make remark, how
could they dream of a coming shadow
Yet the cloud, no bigger than a mans
hand" was already in the sky.
Cora grew pale. Cora languished.
Cora wept. From sweet she turned 10
bitter.
All her love for Dora seemed to have
vanished. She reproached her wildly
without cause. She thrust her hand
away when it touched her. No one
guessed the truth until it suddenly fash
ed on Dora.
Cora had fallen in love with ElFyn
Chester. The sisters had long and mis-
cradle talk. Cora believed that Chester
had tried to win her heart Dora knew
this was untrue; but what could she
say Her sister was in sgonies of min
gled remorse and rage-her twin sister,
whom she adored.
shall think of you in his arms until
l kill myself" sobbed Cora. Every
kiss be gives me goes TO my heart like a
knife. He will sit before me knowing
what / feel, and hold your hand and
look into your eyes to torment me.
worship the ground he treads on love
him twice as much as you do, and he
knows it, and triumphs in my misery"
He does not know it; he never drempt
you had such thoughts" cried Dora. " o,
Cora, what misery, what misery and l
was so happy, so blindly happy I"
You will be happy yet" said Cora,
with more remembrance Of her sisters
feelings than she had ever yet exhib-
| tied.
Yes, Dora, you will be far away, be-
loved, caressed, his comrade in all things.
You need not think of me. l should
have kept my secret to myself if you had
not pried into my heart. There-it is
told but you need not remember it. /
shall die very soon, and suffer no
more.
Dora said nothing She realized that
sll her happiness had been swept away
by this wild tempest of passion. Cora
Was dearer than herself She could not
marry the man she loved and be at peace.
The wedding day was now only two
weeks distant the wedding dress was
made but she sat down before her little
desk and wrote to Elwyn Chester simply
this
"I have no choice but to tell you that
we must part. The cause is no change
in my affection for you, but it is one from
which there is no appeal. We must not
meet again. DORA"
The wretcned lover thought himself
goneimad when he read this note. He
could not believe his senses. He hur-
ried to the home where he had been 30
happy.
Dora's mother received him; she was
as bewildered as he himself She knew
no reason for her daughters conduct, but
the twins had locked themselves into one
room, where they sat with their arms
about each other, weeping violently. No
answer was given to any question, and
all efforts to see Dora were in vain. At
last the time arrived when Chester must
set sail. He had thought so much of
this happy voyage, with his bride by bis
side he took it alone, miserable, bro
ken-hearted man, to whom the world
looked black.
From his new home he wrote many
times to Dora, bur received no answer.
Il was not until news came that he had
married young German lady that Dora
told her mother the truth.
Meanwhile Cora had recovered her
good spirits and looked fresh and bloom
ing, while Dora grew paler, thinner, and
lost her gay temper altogether. She
j q f.n-