The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-01-04

one"
l shuddered through all my feeble
pess as | listened. Could such sordid,
wicked words be issuing from the
beautiful mouth of her whom 1 had
deemed my ideal woman?
There was q rustic of drapery, aud
Gertrude rose from her chair by the
window.
"rm going now Hope, for | see
mamma coming up the path. She'll
relieve you In few moments, aud |
want TO practice little"
Coming to my bedside, she paused
"A moment.
"Poor Dick, how pale he looks I"
Hope said, softly.
"lIe looks more yellow than pale"
her sister answered. "But here comes
mamma"
The door that opened to admit Mr,.
Deans motherly form closed upon
Gertrude.
"You need the fresh air, too, Hope
Run away, dear, into the garden
III take caro- of cousin Dick. The
doctor will be here soon. think he
will see Improvement"
"DO YOU, mamma? lie looks very.
very i'll to me-" said Hopes voice
above my pillow.
ado you really think he will get
better, mammal
A tear fell upon my forehead.
"To be sure do. My child, your
heart is too sensitive for others
trouble. You are growing to look
like II shadow yourself. Ran out into
the garden this moment, or the doc
tor will have two patients instead of
one"
So this was the nature | had deemed
inferior to the other. had neglected
the fragrant violet while stretching
my hand to reach the more Haunting
rose, and in doing so had discovered
-thauk fortune, in time the thorn.
Gertrude did not experience the
trouble she anticipated in putting me
in my "true place." for 1t was Hope
now 10 whom my conversation was
directed, and whose good will | strove
with all my powers to gain. At length
had the satisfaction Of knowing that
my efforts were not futile.
"But | thought II was Gertrude
that you cared for, Dick" she said to
me, after; with all the cloqucnce
could msutcr | had told her one day
what she had grown to be TO me.
81 admired Gertrudc-I love you.
Hope; are you sure, now that my for
tune has taken TO itself wings, that
you care for me enough to become Il
poor mans wife?'
A proud flush crossed the sweet,
sensitive face. "No girl could be
poor whom you love-" she answered.
My uncle aud aunt were truly fond
Of me, and made no demur when they
learned the state of affairs. | have
forgotten to say that both Gertrude
and IIope were children of Mrs.
Deans first marriage so that no OBJ
lection could be raised on the poiut of
relationship.
"Wc mny not be rich, but all tho
same we shall be happy" | assured
them.
And they were satisfied.
Our marriage was to take place IN a
years time. Tho days rolled by, un-
til month before the blissfu event.
One day uncle came into the library
with piece of Intelligence.
"Mcrlewood," magnificent place
that for long time had been unien-
an,cd, had been purchased. he had
heard by a gentleman who was soon
to bring there a bride. Extensive
alterations and improvements had al.
ready been begun,
"Ob," exclaimed Gertrude, "what a
prospect for bride! Merlewood is a
ftling abode for royalty itself /
wonder il she is pretty, and if she app
preciates her good fortune"
81 can answer the first," inter-
rup,ed, smilingly, as took Hope s
tiny hand in mine. "Sie ia very, very
pretty, aud better, che is good, As
TO the last, l do not believe she ap-
preciatcs what you call her good for
tune as yet, for she does not know of
II. She still thinks that her betrothed
is poor man. not realizing that il