Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-11-05
FRANK BARRON,S WIFE.

4 had always loved FRANK barron,
and do not think that could help il
if l had tried. II began when we
went to school together. Surely it is
better to love than to hate. Gladys
Martin was prettier than |. Gladys
was my cousin. and when Frank was
22 he suddenly discovered that she was
the girl he wanted for wife, offered
himself and was accepted.
Now, when l heard that from her
own 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.
And when arose from my knees |
had conquered him within me. / was
Franks friend who loved him ms sis-
ter and nothing more. and ! went TO
the wedding and was first bridesmaid
TO Gladys and said TO myself thoro
were some women to whom love and
Joy were given and some who had
their duties to perform, and that | was
one of tho latter sort and Cousin Ga
dys of the former.
Frank Barron was only poor doc
tor and Cousin Gladys had nothing.
But was rich, and when he went to
the country town where he went to
practice / went with them. | had lost
my relish for the gay life had led in
the city and | had made up my mind
to be a 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 a 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 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 as Mrs
Barrons cousin. Evangeline Ray. aud
/ think many thought me poor one
What did care so long that Gladys
and Frank were happy and fond of
meP 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 promised her that
if she would he would leave her his
fortune.
Duty and interest both called upon
her TO 60, but she still cried out. how
could shep Ali how could she--how
could she leave the babies and brave
the sea alonep Where were the need
full things for voyage to be got ut Il
moments noticeP What could she doP
l knew what to do. | had her trunks
packed aud all in them that she could
want while she was still wondering
what to do. And took her 10 the
steamer and left her with people
whom 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. / wouldn't
leave them with any one but you. You
are our guardian angel"
I was glad. 1t is so much TO me to
be loved. aud always was and always
will be.
went back to Frank and tho chill
dren; The old servant, half cook. half
housekeeper. whom had engaged and
who knew how | managed to make
Frank aud Gladys believe that they
lived on what would never have suf-
feed for half their needs. made II
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 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 he did at his profession. he
bad little time for company. She
wanted him to change his nature. il
seemed to me. Now no one bothered
him. l kept the children in their little
nursery. and in the evening when he
sat down with us, if he were not called
away. let him lead the talk. as men
like to do.
| knew. too. what callers he would
like to see. aud which to entertain my
self. and. of course. being only his
wife's cousin. l did not expect him to
spend any time entertaining me.
However. he often drove me out
With the children, of course. and We
enjoyed the ride. And the poorer
patients fell to asking 10 see me and
telling mo their troubles. and when
could help them did.
You'd make far better doctors
wife than the real one does. an old
woman said to me once. She turns
up her nose at us poor folks. and seems
to think my ailments something catch
ing. God send ye a doctor Of your
own. Missf'
L laughed. but | was glad Frank
Barron did not hear her.
We got letter from GLADYS as soon
rs she reached London. Her grand
father was dying Of cancer. she said.
and might live long while. aud in
deed he did. She wrote. but not very
often. aud the months went by and 4
year was gone. Then the poor old
gentleman died. and still there we're
things 10 be done about the will. Five
months more went aud then indeed /
he wrote fnat she was coming. She /
named the steamer and VIC heard Of its /
Iailing.
Then nothing more. What hap
,eued no one kuew-no one will ever 4
In0w. A piece Of her hulk was all 4
bat was ever found. and there was
zoe ia England aud woe 10 America.
husbands aud fathers. sons aud
Iaughters and many woman's true
owe bad gone down ID midoceau with
10 power 20 send a farewell word to
ny one.
And Gladys Barron was among them