The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-04-23
MARRIED FOR LOVE.


listening to the story her most init
mate friend and companion was tell
ing. "You never liked Charles when
he was here, Sarah"
'"That is quite true" replied Sarah
Benton. Her bright brunette face
wore look that seemed to say she
could give very good reasons for her
prejudice against the lover OF her friend.
But glance into Jessys fearful blue
eyes checked the words that were how
ering upon her lips.
"And you did not like him then, it
is easy for you to misjudge him now,"
Jessy went on.
"Tel me this. Has he written to
you lately?" asked Sarah.
Jessy colored.
"Not very lately" she stammered.
"What was the date OF his last let
ter?" continued Sarah.
ooh, why do you ask? What can it
matter? He has been very busy, and
he has written less frequently than
usual, but l am sure he loves me still
i am sure he cannot be false. He is
so good-so noble-so affectionate."
Sarah took her by the hand.
"Jessy, you are an angel, or very
near one, at least. I've watched you
going to the post-office, and coming
back empty-handed and sick at heart,
for five long weeks. You are too nice
a girl by far to be allowed to break
your heart for a scamp like Charles
Remont. Why won't you listen to
me? You know have been your best
friend ever since we were schoolgirls
together, and you ought to know
that | would never tell you anything
to maze you unhappy if l were not
very sure that it was true. Why won't
you believe me when l tell you that
for the past three months he has been
paying attention to the daughter of
his employer"
because, Sarah, if | do once be-
lieve it | shall break my heart, as you
say" was Jessys low reply.
Sarah walked up and down the
room a few times thinking deeply.
Then she came close TO her friend
once more.
81 wish your mother had asked any
one else to tell YOU" she said.
"My mother"
Jessy looked up startled.
Eyes. When | came home from New
York, and told her all that had seen
and heard, she begged me to tell YOU
then, and | would not. Now this fresh
news has come; she says | must break
1T to you, for she cannot. | don't
like to do it, Jessy. I'm not sure that
you will not hate me for it after am
gone"
"What news has come that my own
mother cannot repeat to me?" said
Jessy, turning very pale.
1--WE only got theletter this morning.
1t was directed to your mother"
"a letter. from Charles?"
Yes"
"Where is it? Oh, why didn't you
give it to me beforel How could YOU
keep it from mel If you only knew
how | suffered for the want of it."
81 do know. So does your mother;
and that is the reason why we did not
give 1T to you at once" said Sarah,
taking an envelope from her pocket.
stop, Jessyl Let me tell you what
1T is before you open it"
But Jessy had already torn open
the envelope.
She stared wildly at the cards in
closed.
Cards What are they Sarah?"
His wedding cards." said Sarah
solemnly
Married. Charles is married, and
not to mel"
The sweet pale face grew paler still,
and the slight form swayed forward
and would have fallen to the floor
II Sarah Benton had not caught it in
her arms.
"She has heard the worst, and will
get over it in time" she said to Mrs.
Peace, who ran in, frightened out OF
her wits.
'But if were you would send her
away on a visit somewhere before
that wretch comes here with his bride,
as they say he's going to do next
month"
Jessy Peace went away for short
visit to the seashore, as her mother
wished, and her friends advised.
She was young, she was romantic,
and she certainly believed herself to be
heart-broken. And so she made no
acquaintance, and went down to the
shore every day, and sat there to think
about her lost lover, until she bade
fair to look like the very ghost of the
pretty girl that lover had so heartless-
ly deserted.
One bright afternoon Jessv sat in her
accustomed place. Agentleman came
ana sat down near her. He was tall,
portly, and handsome-a man offiftv'
perhaps, who looked prosperous and
wealthy, but who also looked very
sad.
Jessy heard him sigh once or twice.
That made her turn round to glance
at him, for she felt Just then the deem !
est sympathy for any one who was in
trouble.
They both colored deeply as theirs
eyes met. The gentleman rose and
lifted his hat.
Miss Peace I'm surprised to see
youhere he said.
Jessy was even more embarrassed |
than he was. For Judge Hunter was
their nearest neighbor in her native |
village, and the richest man there. and |
after having lived as a widower for |