The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-10-12

I ner Tears and spoke poldiEs aItnocSn Her
heart was quaking-
why shouldn't Pelly get married p
said she. ~What has she done but fol-
low your example? Why didn't you
bring your wife with you, Rube ~
The reproaeh in his eyes turned to
honest indignation; he dres himself up
proudly.
'False-hearted girl that yoa are,' ne
cried. ~Isit not enough to have betrAy-
ed my trust, but you must insult me
now? Would to God that I had listen
ed to Jane Carrick's advice, and not
come near youi'
They had both forgotten Joe, but he
was standing near the door, and now a
cry from Polly pierced his gentle heart.
She had fallen into chair, white aad
trembling; her hands we're clasped, her
eyes raised imploringly 70 her old loT-
er's face. Joe stepped hastily up be-
tween them.
Look here, my friend" szii be whist
d'you mean by talking to my wife ike
this? know al about you Il is you,
that never answer her letters, that comes
here now 10 call her faIsehearted her
the truest heart that ever beat Go home
young man, 90 home 10 your new sweet
heart, and leave me and mine alone"
BE went up to Polly as he spoke, and
would have put his arms around her, but
she shrank away, to his surprise, as ifin
terror; while Reubin cried.
~Not answer Polly's letters What
d'you mean? Inever had a sweetheart
except Polly, and never shalli There's
some mistake here I"
Explain it, then cried Joe, sternly.
He looked from one TO the other Of the
agitated young faces before him, and his
oEn grew pale. Explain it sir."
~What use now cried Reuben "since,
she's your wife? And yet l wouldn't
have her think I wronged her, either.
See here, then" addressing Polly. a
year ago you wrote me that you had two
hundred dollars, and 50 we could get
married right away. Bat I had been
fool. Thinking 70 make money faster
than by earning and saving il, speeu-
lated with my bit Of land and cash, and
lost them both Il was hard to tell you,
that, my girl, when you worked 50 faith
fully; bat when an offer was made me TO
90 to Texas for a year and take charge Of
aeaitle ranch, for which was to have
Ave hundred dollars, plucksd up cour-
age, wrote you all the truth and begged
you 70 wait another year for me. never
got an answer 10 that letter
at never camer7 cried Polly, wringing
her hands. -Oh, Rabe, il never came-7
That's strange. Jane Carrick can
prove that wrote, for 't1ss she that
mailed the letter. Il was along OF her
father my money vas lost, and I vas
stopping at their house, and Jane pitied
me. Still though you didn't write, I
wasn't uneasy-we never were great
hands al writing. you know and I felt 50
sure Of your faith only, when the year
was oyer-that's three months ago
hurried h0ms. stopped az Csrrick's
house again, and they made 50 much Of
me, and Jane was 50 kind, oould't leave I
a. quickly as l wished; moreover, busi- (
ness kept me. I wouldn't write you
I wanted to come and take you by sur
prise. Ahr7 with a sonovful glance at
Joe. "But its you that has surprised
me-
Two days ago came all my letters back,
and line 70 tell me I was free; and If
you had told me just little more"
same glance aE.in-"I wouldn't have
been here to-day. However, I won't re-
proleh you; only say-Good-bye."
And Polly's sweetheart turned away,
bat before he reached the door she stop /
pei him
"You are going to Jane Csrrick :" she
cried with crimson cheeks and flashing
eyes. 80 the treacherous girl that stole (
my sweetheart from me- Il wssshe who
stopped my letter, 50 that it never reach {
ed me. They sent me word you we're TO
marry Ter; that's Why sent your letters
back. On, Reuben, do you love that
girl?'
Before be could answer. Joe broke
in-cAtching her arm and pointing TO
Reuben.
@Do yo1 love him 2'' he questioned.
Her face fell on her hands, her color
faded she had forgotten Joe.
ANSWER me-" he said, gently. Don't
be afeared o me, my dear. Do you love
him -
She burst into tears. ~Oh, forgive me,
Joel 1 never meant to wound you
He is my own, old sweetheart, dear. l
can't help loving him|
Silence for moment, broken only by
her sobs. Then Joe held cut his hand
"Ceme here, young man" said he.
Reuben approached. Il give her to YOU
Make her as happy asI-would have
done" he turned his face away.
Reuben stood bewildered- "HOu-
give me-her-your wife :" he mu;tered.
shes not my wife-she would have
been tomorrow, if you had stayed away.
Curse il! Why couldn't you have stay
ed away, young man? l could have
done better without you No, no, my
dear" meeting Polly's fearful eyes
Il only want to see you happy. He's
been your true lover, after all, and de-
serves to have you. Only don't take her
away from The Wsyside House There's
room for Us all, and vel All be friends
together"
And so they were. Reaben became a
partner in the house, and shortly mar
ried Polly.
After the first disappointment was
over Joe's generous nature found happi-
ness in the JOY be had given to others
Polly and Reuben We'd with each other
in love and gratitude to him. Before
long it wo1ld have puzzled joe himself
TO answer which one he priced the most
Polly, or, as he often chose TO call him
still, Polly's Sweetheart"
Somebody gave the funny mans boy
deg, and when the father came home in
the evening he was considerable inter
ested in the new acquisition
where did you get him?' he asked
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