Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-02-12
MY HUSBANDS COUSIN.
A Breach Of Years That Was
Finally Healed.

led the gayest and happiest of lives
until was twenty. Then my father
died suddenly, and was found, like so
many men who are supposed to be rich
during life, to have left almost nothing.
My mother did not survive his death
very long, and | was left alone in the
world, so far as near relatives were
concerned.
l sent at once for Cousin Rachel
Armstrong, the resource of all her
kindred when they were in trouble,
and she promptly responded to my
call, as she did to all demands on her
good nature. 1t was at this juncture
that Mr.. Laurence, my fathers lawyer
and most intimate friend, very unex-
pectedly asked me TO marry him. At
first, ] was too much astonished to re-
ply; bat, as grew more accustomed to
'he idea. it lost its stran geness, and
ven appealed to me. Brought up, as |
mad been, amidst unbounded tender
ness as well as luxury, it was terrible
to find myself without anyone to de-
pend on. / had no one, however, but
Cousin Rachel; and she owned nearer
and more imperative claims than mine
she had an invalid mother who needed
her constantly. Besides this, would
be obliged to support myself, who
knew nothing useful or practical.
Looking back now, do not think l re-
greet my marriage; but do regret some
of the motives which mixed with my
real attachment for Mr.. Laurence and
urged me to the step.
l said yes after some hesitation, and
we were quietly married within two
months of my mothers death. When
first told her Of my decision, Cousin
Rachel looked grave, and said
"Are you sure you do not care for
Charlie Norris Helen?"
Charles Morris was scapegrace
cousin of mine, who was studying med
icine in Berlin. AS soon as he heard OF
my parents death he did ask me to
marry him; but would as soon have
thought of marrying my pet canary as
Charlie-he would have been about as
we'll fitted for the position. We had
had many flirtations in the past, but
that was different thing. l answered
Charles letter telling him of my in
tentions, and he sent me in return sew.
eral epistles in which he INDUCED in
histrionics. Some of them did not
reach me until after the wedding but
burned them at once; did not wish tC
be disloyal to my husband, even in
thought.
Mr.. Laurence was very, very kind to
me during our year of welded life, anC
l was genuinely sorry when, at the ex
piration of that time, he died, after {
brief illness of pneumonia. He hac
gratified my every wish, and made life
exceedingly pleasant to me, so it was
no wonder, when found myself agar
alone, that my grief was deep and sin
cere, if not overwhelming. Cousin
Rachel came, as usual, to my assist
ance; and, as she had lost her mother
within the year, had leisure to devote
her sci entirely to my comfort
When the will was read, every body.
sympathy with me was turned to angel
against MIR. Laurence. / was aston
ished at its contents myself, though
was less angry with my husband thar
my relatives and friends were. 1t was
a strange will, and not at all the sort
would have expected Mr.. Laurence t,
make. He left me his property, bu
not Internationally; in fact, ther,
were two vegy positive and annoying
provisos attached to my enjoymen
of his wealth; must agree to live a
Greystone, the old Laurence home
stead, for FIVE years after my husband
= death, or forfeit two-thirds of the es
tate, which would in that case go to
distant cousin of his. l must also re
main widow for the same period O
time; for, in the event Of my remarry
ing within the five years, l would los
all of the money, which was in tina
case TO revert to the same relative.
was indignant at the latter clause
for had fully meant to remain faith
full to my husbands memory, and re
scented the imputation that might not
/ wondered whether he suspected m
of weakness for Charlie Morris. TIL
first condition was displeasing, becaus
it restricted my freedom of movemen
and condemned me to what | kne,
must be very, like Punishment Fror
what Mr.. Laurence had told me, wa
eware that Greystone, though fin
old place, was situated in the interio
of Pennsylvania far from any larg
town, and, to a young woman like m,
self, it could not seem very denirabl
residence during the best part of m
youth.
They wanted me to break the will
but this l Indignantly refused, a
though they said l could easily do i
owed Mr., Laurence good deal MOI
than he owed me, and | was better o
than l had been a year ago. No,
would take my choice of money or il
dependence. l did choose, after SON
hesitation, and so great was my horrC
at the thought of poverty that cho,
the first, and made my preparations
go to Greystone. Rachel offered to a
company me to my new residence at
remain with me there. was delighte
at the prospect of her company, b,
hesitated to accept what l could n,
but regard as sacrifice on her par
She smiled when put it in this we
to her.
"All places are alike to me, my del
Helen; can be contented anywhere
she answered, 81 am twenty-eigl
years old and have ceased to care Fl
gayeties; it is different with YOU"
1t was spring when we first went
Greystone, and the country was at
loveliest. Solitude in such beautif
spot seemed very pleasant, and SUI
mer was upon us before we realized
had two or three intimate friends
visit me, and the season passed quic