The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-11
ONE MANS SACRIFICE.
BY AUGUSTA ]. MARTINDALE.

When Herbert Lester had gone to
George Crandall and told him he loved his
daughter, he would not consent to an en-.
gagemens unless they agreed to wait two
years before marrying, and in the mean
time they were not to see each other He
permitted them, however, to write and
distance and time count nothing while pa
per and pens exist. Edith Crandali had
lived in Westfeld all her life and Herbert
Lester had been her playmate since she
was five years old and he was eight. His
father died when he was mere baby, and
while he was yet a small boy his mother
realizing that she cond not live long,
brought him TO her brother, and thinking
him in safe quarters she died eontented.
John Taylor was a man OF moderate
means, but he and his family were extrav-
agant, and it was often predicted that he
would die poor man. They lived Just
across the street from the Crandalls, and
thus the children were early friends. Her
bert had graduated with honor from the
Ann Arbor law school, and there had been
no hint of college scrapes, such as most
students get into. 1t was on this account
and because Edith loved him so we'll that
Mr.. Crandall received him as future SON.
ln-law. Herbert's small inheritance had
been spent for his education, and he was
to make a name for himself in the law
business. 1t was as Edith said, ''her father
did not object TO poverty but he loved
honor and purity"
On the morning our story opens the
lovers had parted for the two years. Her
bert had gone TO the city TO enter the
practice of law and Edith had returned to
her college to complete her education.
We will take up the thread of our story
again after one of the two years have
passed. One day Edith received letter
from Herbert, which was very short and
evidently was written in n hurry. He
said he was little bothered about some
business but hoped in few days to write
her long letter, in the meantime she was
not to write to him.
Dear me, she sighed, 81 hope be does
not think / am in love with that stupid
professor OF German. l ought not to have
said word about him in my letter. but
Herbert is such a goose | thought l
would see if he would be Jealous"
She thought he was pouting and in q
few days she would get loving letter
But tho days passed, and two weeks went
by, then month and she could wait no
longer. She wrote to her father that she
had not heard from Herbert for some
time; did he know anything about him?
Mr.. Crandall answered that he knew moth
ing, but would see Mr.. Taylor that even
ing and ask whom he had heard from him,
and would write again the next day.
That evening as he went across to his
neighbors George Crandall was very much
worried. Was this young man going to
prove false after all? AZ fancied," he
wrote to his daughter, "that he looked
confused when l inquired after his
nephew, but he replied quickly that he
knew nothing of him, but supposed he
was too busy to write. So, my dear, win
run up to the city and see what is the
matter. presume l will find him well
and full of business"
The days seemed endless to Edith. Now
her heart was sick within her. Why had
she written to him about Prof. Griechell?
What spirit of evil had possessed her that
| she should arouse his jealousy? Not for
a moment did she doubt him; she only
| blamed herself for being a vain girl Now,
too, she began to see that the German
| professor was very much in earnest, and
she had longing to be at home with her
mother so she could talk to her of Her.
| bert
The week had almost passed when she
| got the letter which she had expected to
| bring her good news. She locked her
lose word OF it. Eagerly tearing of the
envelope. this is what she read
| "DEAR DAUGHTER-I am more grieved
than can tell to have to write you such
bad news. but it is far better that you
should find it ont now than if you had
been his wife. Herbert Lester is a villain
lie has stolen money and gone away, no.
| body knows where My dear child, you
must never think of him again. l believe
he has been playing part all the time !;
and they say now that he was a bad one
at college, but was so ely that they never
caught him. Thank God that He has
saved You from being the wife of thief
/ will come and see you in few DAYS.
We think It best Tor you not to come
home now. Bear mp, Edith; put on your
proud cap and 90 on and graduate as IL
there were no men in the world. His
partner thinks there is woman at the
bottom Of it, and hope. little grille, it
will help you TO put him out of your heart
at once. Your affectionate father,
GEORGE CRANDALL."
III will never believe itW Edith ex-
been murdered for tho money. 1 know
he never would have stolen ii and run
away, for he was the soul OF honor. Oh
my darling. will not believe you guilty"
She threw herself. sobbing, on the bed
and there, for an hour, she lay, broken
| lily. The tea-bell at last aroused her aud,
gathering hereelf together she got up and
bathed her face until all traces OF her tears
were gone. II will do as father wishes /
will put mask on, not because l believe
the stories. but because will not have any
one asking me disagreeable questions"
She sighed MS sho said il, but held her
head little higher and went down with
a smile on her lips
Another year went by and there was
no girl In all tho class more beautiful than
Edith Crandall. She achieved all the hon.
ors, and her father aud mother were very
fond Of her; they said 20 themselves that
she had forgotten her lover. OF whom
nothing had ever been heard. Edith be-
lieved thst he was dead that he had
been killed and robbed OF tho money he
was accused OF stealing Mr.. Crandall,
however, thought he had used 1t, and said
that IL ran in the family To spend more
than they made. Edith went out
great deal, and for two
years she was general favosite
except that she was considered veritable
blue stocking. and some OF the men COM
| niained thav found II difficult IN convaraa