The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1891-06-05

after the lapse Of all these years
there was sad sweetness in lhihk
ing of the man TO whom she haC
unconsciously given more of hel
heart than she had ever realized
She had married Harry Merton
not comprehending that he was n1l
the sort of "A man 10 make her
happy, but she did not regret il
now as she looked back upon the
Fast.
Il did my duty, at least" she
said softly.
And just them, to interrupt
her reyerie-weary. overworkec
Edna had little time TO indulge in
such-therr came aIap on the door
of the room. Only a child from
one OF The neighborlng rooms who
had brought Mrs. Merton the even
ing paper. Edna took il, and when
the door closed behind the little
one she sat down once more to
read aloud The evening news to her
mother. In The columns of mis-
cellaneous advertisements she read
this:
"For sale.-A standing desk ;
price s.. Apply 20 Chartres ST."
Edna uttered an exclamation
Just what have wanted so
long" she exclaimed; "And, moth.
er, it is s, cheap. Surely, l Can
afford to purchase itF'
"lndeed, you must secure il, Ed
ma" her mother cried, eagerly,
"lor that STOPPING position at your
desk will induce consumption, DIR.
Lane says, and you suffer so much
from weak lungs"
Edna arose and began 10 pre-
pare for he street.
81 will deliver my story at The
Office" she observed, "get the
ch eek, and 90 and secure the desk
before | am too late"
Two hours later Edna Merton re-.
turned to her tenement room. The
desk which she had purchased had
been duly delivered. and stood be-
side the window in the best light
Edna lighted The lamp and ex
ahmed her new acquisition with
The satisfaction of child.
See, mother, how convenient,
and here
She touched a portion of the or.
namenial woodwork as she spoke,
and TO her surprise il moyed slight
", and she saw before her a secret
Compartment tiny drawer-and
in that drawer a folded piece of
paper-a letter. Edna drew it
forth In wondering surprise.
She sank into a seat with cry
Of pain as her eyes fell upon her
dead husbands Handwriting upon
the envelope.
"Mr. Stephen Burrill."
There II was as plain as day.
Quite involunlarlly Edna drew the
letter from its envelope and
glanced over ii hastily. Yes, ii
was from Harry Merton to Steph-
pn Burrill, and it was written
few months before Edna had be-
come Harry's wife. And in that
letter Merton had told Stephen
Burrill that he was engaged to Ed
ma and expected to make her his
wife in short time.
You have confessed TO me that
you love her, Stephen,"-so ran
he letter-'and to save you from
sorrow | write to YOU. |
would spare you the pain Of a re-
'usal."
Had Stephen Burrill asked Edna
o become his wife would he have
)een subject to '1he pain Of re-
usal 7" The hot blood crimSoned
Glna's cheeks at the thought. As
he sat there with the letter in her
land a rap at the door aroused her,
md a moment later a tall dark,
man was standing be
ore her holding her hands in his
While he told her how glad he was
D sec her,for he had sought for her
verywhere.
The address which she had left
vhen she had purchased the desk
lad set him on The right track. For
he desk, together with other con-
ents of his office, had been sent to
N auction room that the Office
night be reftted in modern style.
stephen Burrill was not married.
hat had been a fabrication of
larry Merton's, who had won his
1ife by the false pretense. But
II was explained now. and Edna
nd Stephen were made happy be-
nre n was too LATE.