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

II l bad tired. IL began when we
went to school together. Surrey it is
better 20 love than TO hate. Gladys
Martin was prettier than I. Gladys
was my cousin, and when Frank was
% he suddenly discovered that she was
the girl he wanted for wife, offered
himself and was accepted.
Now, when / heard that from her
own lips l went away TO my room for
awhile and knelt down beside the bed
aud prayed for my soul. For felt the
most unreasonable anger aud jealousy
thrill me from head TO foot.
Aud why should feel SEP Only Sa-
tau know. was assured-only Satan.
Aud when I 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 aud was first bridesmaid
TO Gladys. and said TO myself there
were some women to whom love aud
JOY were given aud some who had
their duties to perform, and that was
one Of the latter sort and Cousin Gin
dys Of the former.
Franh Barron was only poor doc
tor and Cousin Gladys had nothing.
But i was rich, aud 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
tho city and / had made up my mind
to be a spinster. and felt that could
do a 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 il
proved. She never guessed-nor did
he-how much trouble they would
have had but for me.
As Il was every one was saying
what a pretty home they had aud how
we'll the young wife cared for il, and
how nicely she dressed.
As for me. they know me as Mrs.
Barron's cousin. Evangeline Ray, aud
/ think many though, me a poor one.
What did | care SC long that Gladys
and Frank were happy aud fond Of
meP After awhile there was some ono
else to love--a little girl baby-who
soon grew 10 believe that there was no
one else like Aunt Evangeline. and
later came boy. When he was but
two yenrs old there was sent to Gladys
a cablegram from England. where her
grandfather (no kin OF mine. for we
we're cousins on the mothers side aud
be was her fathers fnther) 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
il she would he would leave her his
fortune.
Duty aud interest both called upon
her to 20. 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 tho need
ful things for a voyage to be got ut a
moments noticep What could she dop
But / had crossed the ocean thrice and
/ 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 to the
steamer and left her with people
whom / knew who happened to bo
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.
aud could see that she would enjoy
herself for all her pretty terrors aud
her last words were: Take care OF
Frank end the babies. wouldn't
leave them with any one but you. You
are our guardian angel"
l was glad. 1t is so much TO me to
be loved, and always was and always
will be.
| went back TO Frank aud tho chill
dren: The old servant, half cook, half
housekeeper. whom had engaged aud
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 Il IA
proper thing for me 10 stay. Indeed,
the idea that 1t WAS not proper never
had crossed either OF our minds.
We were very quiet after Gladys was
) gone. Sometimes faucied that Frank
looked more content than lac usually
did. Gladys though so pretty and
gay In company. had way OF fretling
him In private. Our time was half
taSen up 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 10 change his nature. IL
seemed 10 me. Now no one bothered
him. / kept the children In their little
nursery. and in the evening when be
sat down with u.s. If he were not called
away. / let him lead the talk. as men
like to do.
l knew, too. what callers be would
like 10 see, and which to entertain my
SELF and of course. being only his
wife's cousin. did not expect him to
spend any time entertaining mo.
However. he often drove me out
With tne children. OF course. and we
enjoyed the ride. And the poorer
patients fell TO nsking 10 see mo and
telling mo their troubles, aud when /
could help them did.
You'd mako a far better doctors
wife than tho real one does, an old
woman said TO me once. She turns
mp her nose at US poor folks aud seems
10 think my ailments something catch
log. God send yo a doctor OF your
own. hlissr'
l laughed, but ! was glad Frank
Barron aid not hear hcr
We got a letter from Gladys as soon
MS she reached London. Her grand
father was dying OF cancer. she said.
aud might live long while. and In
deed he did. She wrote. but not very
often, and the months went By and 4
year was gone. Then the poor old
gentleman died. and still thoro were
things TO be dono about the will. Five
mouths more went and then indeed
+. ''t NrQle tnat she was coming. She
na|II - steamer aud Nc beard Of It's
.| I0I|eR more What hap
lU.' 1| |Ih0- 30 Quo will ever
.n0W. hR1 hnik was all
voc ID Engiand aud'woo 10 America.
husbands and fathers, sons nnd |
nughiars snd many d woman's true
Dvo had gone down IN nldocean with
o power 70 send a farewell word 10