Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-08-16
A Ruined Life.
BY NASNETTE D. PIPER.

hANS oCSl Al NloiOuS bue luchl Duy
Siclan's wife, and | follow where he
leads ME, though it may be afar off
visit my husbands patients as sympa
thlzer and friend, and while he en-
deavors 10 build up their bodies,
exert my eli to give new tone to their
minds and hearts, by imparting some
OF tue cheerfulness and sunshine ol
my own life. l often accompany the
doctor in his calls, and it is a source OF
much pleasure to me to study the diff
lerent phases OF human character thus
found.
1t was on one of these occasions that
first met Edith Warren, a beautiful
woman, not yet thirty years OF age
suffering from an incurable disease.
She was one of those people We meet
now and then, who are prematurely
aged. There was the 1.-the willowy
form, and the care-worn face; the
freshness and elasticity of youth, com.
hined with the world-weariness of the
aged. She had been lovely creature,
aud was yet, in spite of the inroads
T. Mt sickness and grief had made, for
felt sure from the first that her i'll
Ecss was not purely physical. l visit.
rd her often, and found her so intelll.
C|nt and yCt so sad, that through pity
learned to love her, and by various
rs and wjlos tried to gain hnr con-
Fl lence. [ WAS particularly anxious to
discover the cause OF her trouble, be-
oIuse, although 1 knew she could
never recover, 1 thought that il, in
some way, her sorrow coul be re-
moved or forgotten, her life might be
indefinitely prolonged.
One day when L had been sitting by
her couch for some time, Cshe was al
1Iost entirely confined to her room
nOw,) | saw that her eyes were filled
with tears. They were the first tears l
had seen, and L silently rejoiced. There
is nothing so pitlful as fearless story
grief.
THE stream that trickles through the noun
tain,
Inpcnt, flows harmless from its fountain
But bound it bursts the solid rock,
And rcnds the mount with dreadful shock.
So gricfs that weep, small wounds impart,
But tears confined may burs the heart"
pressed her hand in sympathy, but
suid nothing, while she turned away
.er head and wept freely. Then,
.clasping both arms about my neck,
she said: You have been my dear,
good friend. How can I ever repay
you?"
"Give me your confidence" 1 re-
pliedi "Trust me, and let me help
you."
She was silent for long time, as if
at loss how to begin, or whether to
begin at all; but at length she said:
''There is no comfort, no peacs of
mind for me this side the grave. Oil
it is long story, a sad, sad story you
would have me tell you, and l fear
you will despise NE whe- you have
heard it; but you have be = SO true a
friend, you deserve TO know more of
ne"
And this was her story, which I give
to You as nearly Us [ can remember, in
her own language.
At the age of eighteen, 1 was left
reunIless orphan, with no near relative
ave a wealthy bachelor Uncla. He
offered me q home and lie of case,
but preferriug to be independent, |
supported myself by teaching and
spent my vacations with Uncle. After
three years of this manner Of living, l
gave ny hand and heart to Fred War
zen, aid believed myself the happlest
Of women. Fred was only poor book
keeper and could Eot keep me in lax
cry, but l cared not for that. / did
Lot want to be kept IN idleness, but
longed to be of some use and help to
my husband. l wanted to walk by his
side through the journey of lifo, bear
Ing my share of its tolls and burdens.
My Uncle begged that he might help
us, but when [ refused he called me
ga wise little puss," and then added
more seriously, II am sure have hot
long to live. Whom l am gone, my
wealth is yours"
We commenced housekeeping in q
very modest way. living chiefly to our
eolyes and for each other.
Those were beautiful days! They
seem now like an enchanted dream
from NLicn 1 awoke, alasl too soon.
When twelve brief, blissful months
had passed away, 1 awoke one morning
to find myself On heiress. 1t was
the cares and responsibilities which
"'ealth had thrust upon me, with what
have since thought was premonition
OF evil. Hct | was glad that was able
. tighten the labor of my husband,
and at my solicitation he resigned his
POSITION IS bookkeeper in the large
establishment where he was employed,
and purchased an interest in the same
house.
1t is seldom that one accustomed
to toll and hard-shIps, deals wisely
with riches, suddenly acquired. This
may be some apology for us, or 1
should say, for myself. Fred insisted
II at the money was mine, and L should
direct its use. We purchased a grand |
residence, filled the house with SER
wants, and were flattercd by the atten-
tions of those whom we had hitherto
considered above us in social position. |
my life was not my own.
The burdens of society rested heavily |
on my untried shoulders, and 1 soon |
wearied of it all.
Still, l had much to make me happy.
:or we often had q quiet evening to |
ourselves. Those were restful hours to |
both of US. But by and by Fred began to |
&c out evenings, and often stayed until |
long after my bed time. Business kept |
I'm, he said; but he began to lose his |
bGUyancy of spirit and was never his |
cd merry self again. AS day after |
d ~ he looked more worn and detected, !
l became restless and miserable. Twas |
lonely without Fred's companlonship, |
AN felt indignant, too. that he could |
willingly forgo tho pleasures of home |
: crafty his mercenary desires. The
."asNless round of receptions, entor-
talnments and fashionable calls became
q torment, from which L would gladly /
lave rid myself if L had only known
hCw to do so. Oh, if only something
would happen to Ereak this tircsorne
l: :onotony! And by and by something
..Id happen.
y year before / FIST list FT.d, i cas
tae aiiiance1 Ef Atiitur Spencer, e
brilliant young law stnIent. The On
st GelCht was Lrief. We Quarrellcd
<nd nltsJ, and when L was married., 1
mad SCARCELY tloust.t of Arthur for
@onths. Just at this evil houc. when