Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-08-27
THE STORY OF EVA RAY.

ecnOOl pOgeLner. Surely II 10 OetloA W
love than to hate. GLADYS Martin was
prettier than |. Gladys was my cousin,
and when Frank was twenty-five he
suddenly discovered that she was the
girl he wanted for a wife. offered him
self and was accepted.
Now, when heard that from her own
lips, 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-
uuered him within me. Twas Franks
sriend, who loved him as q sister, and
nothing more, and | 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 !
Has rich, and when they went to the
country town where he was to practice,
Invent with them. had lost my relish
for the gay life had led in the city, and
] 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 well, / 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
q pretty home they had. and how well
the young wife cared for it, and how
nicely she dressed.
AS for me, they knew me as Mrs. Bar
ron's cousin, Evangeline Ray, and |
think many thought Inc poor one.
What did ! care 30 that Gladys and
Frank were happy and fond of me?
After awhile there was seme 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 be had to live, and prom
ised that if she would he would leave her
his fortune.
Duty and interest both called upon her
to go, but still she cried out, How could
she? All! how could she-how could
she leave the babies and brave the sea
alone? Where were the needful things
for voyage to be got at 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 | knew who happened to be
going on the same boat-as if she were q
child. She seemed SO young and fail
and girlish that no one could believe
that she had been married SO many years
and l could see that she would enjoy
herself for all her pretty terrors, and hel
last words were: "Take care of Frank
and the babies wouldn't leave them
with any one but you. You are oul
guardian angel"
Twas glad. 1t is SO much to me tC
be loved, and always was and Away
will be.
went back to Frank and the children
The old servant, half cook, half house
keeper, whom had engaged, and wht
knew how | managed to make Franl
and Gladys believe that they lived OF
what would never have sufficed for hal
their needs, made it a proper thing TO
me to stay. Indeed, the idea that it wa
not proper never had crossed either o
our minds.
We were very quiet after Gladys wa
gone. Sometimes fancied that Fran
looked more content than he usual
did. Gladys, though SO pretty and ga
in company, had a way of fretting hir
in private. Our time was half taken u
in soothing her. Now and then sh
quarreled with him because, working a
he did at his profession, he had littl
time for company. She wanted him
change his nature, it seemed to mi
Now no one bothered him. | kept Il,
children in their little nursery, and
the evening when he sat down with Il
if he were not called away, | let hi
lead the talk, as men like to do.
| knew, too, what callers he woul
like to see, and which to entertain IN,
self, and, of course, being only his wife
cousin, did not expect him to sper
any time entertaining me.
However, he often drove me out.
with the children, of course-and v
enjoyed the ride. And the poorer p
tients fell to asking to see me and te
ing me their troubles, and when cou
help them did.
you'd make a far better doctor
wife than the real one does" an o
woman said to me once. "She turns l
her nose at us poor folks, and seems
think my ailments always somethil
catching God send ye q doctor Of 20
own, miss!'
laughed, but was glad Frank Bg
ron did not hear her.
We got letter from Gladys as so
as she reached London. Her grandfath
was dying of cancer, she said, and mig
live n long while. and indeed he di