The Monitor., 1891-09-04
THE STORY OF EVA RAY.

| | had always loved Frank Barron, and
do not think that could help it if
had tried It began when we went to
school together. Surely it is better to
| love than to hate. Gladys Martin was
| prettier than L Gladys was my cousin,
and when Frank was twenty-five he
suddenly discovered that she was the
| girl he wanted for 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-
quered him within me. was Franks
friend, who loved him as 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-
t form, and that was Of the latter sort
and Cousin Gladys Of the former.
80 Frank Barron was only poor doctor,
and Cousin Gladys had nothing. But
was rich, and when they went to the
country town where be was to practice.
Iwent 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 Iceah 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 - IL proved Sha never guessed
nor did he-how much trouble they
would have had but for me. -. ~.
As it was. every one was saying what
a pretty home they had, and how well
the yonng wife cared tor it, and how
nicely she dressed. a'fsi' z#=f =.'t
T As for me. they knew me as Mrs. Bar
roa's cousin, Evangeline Ray. and I
think many thought me poor one.
What did Ieare 50 that Gladys and
Frank were happy and fond of me?
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 Eyangeline, and later came boy.
When he was but two years old there
/ was sent to Gladys 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
| ised that if she would he would leave her
his fortune.
Duty and interest both called upon her
to 30. but still she cried out How could
shes All! how could sfe-how could
she leave the babies and brave the sea
alone: Where were the needfnl things
fora voyage to be got at a moments no
tice? What should she dos But had
crossed the ocean thrice and knew what
to do. had her trunks packed and all in
them that she could want while abe 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
omld. 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" a----.
l was glad. 1t is SO much to me to
be loved, and always was and always
will be.
went back to Frank and the children.
Ths old servant, half cook, half house
keeper, whom ! had engaged, and who
knew how managed to make Frank
and. Gladys believe that they lived on
what would never have sufficed for half
their needs. made it q proper thing for
ne to stay. Indeed, the idea that IL was
not proper never had crossed. either of
our minda.~Iaa a;i"31 94 siH 'i'ii'''s !;
We were very quiet after Gladys was
gone. Sometimes I fancied that Frank
looked more content than, be usually
did Gladys, though so pretty and gay
in company, had way Of fretting him
in private. y .Qurs time was half taken up
in soothing her. Now and then she
quarreled with him because, working as
he did at his profession. he had little
etiaip AIA ScAtResnte. tozaS iNaubcQ uiIu ~
change his nature. it seemed to me.
Now no one bothered him. / kept the
children in their little nursery, and in
theievening when he sat down with us,
If no were not called away, / let him
lead the talk, as men like to do. 9fii' ~
| knew, too, what callers he would
like to 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 me. s.nt4a,i s,-,ra
However, hs often drove me out
with the children, Of course-and we
enjoyed the ride. And the poorer pa
tierits fell 10 asking to Bee me and tell
ing me their troubles, and when could
help them did. '''''' '''-' 'F
Yon'd make far better doctors
wife than the real one .does,n' an old
woman said to- me once. i:She turns up
her noasr at1ls. poor folks. and seems to
think my ailments always something
ratdhingl God send ye doctor Of your
twri, rnissf. .'f.y.is ss..i1 aiH ff'at'i"e 't"i
i Laughed, but ] was glad Frank Bar
ron did not hear her
Wegot q letter from Gladys as soon
as she reached London. Her grandfather
was dying of cancer, she e4said, and might
live a long while, and indeed he did.
She wrote, but not very often, and the
months went by and year was gone.