The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-04-05

maiden until he had spoken to her guar
dians, bot he said such words AS no hon
orzble man speaks unless he loves, and
Meta went over the sands homeward
with her heart lightened of all doubt and
fear.
Tomorrow !" she said softly. at part
ing
But tomorrow he was gone. He van
ished as suddenly as be had come, and
she could only wonder. her cheeks grow
ing whittier each day, her eyes heavy and
mOurnful.
So the SIMMER wore away, aud in o.
t,ber the Apple,on's were a. homesgain,
Uncle John, shaking his head said:
~Meta's summering don't seem to have
put the color into her cheeks" bat never
guessed the rea son.
And Meta, sitting alone in the little
eItension-room of the parlor, only one,
day after her return, wondered if folks
disd ofa broken heart at nineteen
Freddie found her 50. sery disconso-
late.
MY head aches dreadfully," she told
him, and he pulled oat all the hAir-pins,
showering the waving, golden tresses
over her white morning dress
"Now I'll bathe it with Florida water,
same as mamma does when her head
aches" be said; aad Meta submitted d
lying upon the wide lounge while the
loving little hands caressed her burning
head. She closed her eyes at last, and
Freddie tiptoed out of the room and
down the wide front steps
1t was not late into the forenoon when
Henry Anderson, writing in his Office,
was disturbed by shriH call Of;
'Dr. AndeFson-I say =.
"what do you say, Freddie?7 he ask
ed. looking up.
~Isay our Meta's awful sick. Won't
you come aud make her well ~
Awful sick Freddy"
The strong mans lips paled. He had
kept his love down with sn iron will,
hoping one day TO win its answer; but it
rose up true and strong at the thought Of
his beloved's suffering.
swell, she's got an awful headache,
anyway, and she's white as sheet, and
hSs been all summer-st least, nearly all
summer. She had a pretty pink in her
cheeks the day SIR. Warren came. But
she keeps crying. eaten her crying
often and often, and she always says she
has headache"
"Did she send you tor me, Freidie?"
~No; just coined myself because she's
real down sick, lying on the lounge. And
if you are going to marry her, you'd
better MAKE her well. | would.
who said was going to marry herr
Such hozrse voice, such suffocating
tension on the faithful heart,
But Freddie answered
Mamma told Mr.. Warren 50. I was
reading fairy book, but they didn't see
me. and was kinder tired, because we'd
been walking ever 50 long, me an0 Meta
and Mr.. Warren. And he told mamma
he loved Meta, and she said Meta had
been engaged to you for three years and
be got mad-oh, wasn't he mad Called
Meta an outrageous firt. l remember.
And he marched off with Lis head in
the air and his nose stuck up, and never
come back"
And Meta has bad headaches >"
Awful bad"
~well, will call and see her, Fred
die
Satisfied with the result Of his self
imposed errand, Freddie marched of,
while Dr. Anderson, white and grave,
with set lips and resolute eyes, put by
his writing and went out Fully two
hours later he crossed the draw groom
TO the extension, where Meta ST fought
the headach and heart2ehe.
She Was seated in deep armchair,
her waving golden hair falling loosely
over her shoulders, her face deathly pale
with rings of pain under the eyes. Bot
quick crimson flush rose upon eheeksand
brow, as she sprang hastily to her feet at
the sound of DR.. Andersonis voice.
~Let it alone" he said, gently, as the
little white hands gathered up the loos-
ened hair. at must be easier so if your
head aches. Freddie tells me YOU are
not we'll"
Already the surge Of pain in her throb-
bing temples had forced her to resume
her seat, sick and giddy, bat DR.. Ander-
sons strictly professional expression and
tone put her at her ease
sit is only one Of my stupid bead
aches" she said. 4 have them often"
But never heard you complain OF
them before, Meis."
"NO-I-I think the sea air did not
suit me-
But fresh air will suit you So he
said grayely, opening a window, and roll
ing her chair near 10 il "Now you will
drink this.' and he brolght glass Of
iced water in v Nhich he had poured some
pungentsmelIing medicine.
'So-you are better. he said. present.
ly, as the ashy pallor left her lips and
cheeks.
"Yes, I am better. You are always
kind to me" she said, humbly, keenly
aware of the motive for his kindness.
Il would be very kind to you, if you
would let me" be said. gently. Il would
rectify g mistake that is breaking your
heart. Meta, you know love you. 1t
is an old story, dear. but you will hear it
no more from my lips. For it is you that
love, not myself, and it is your happi-
ness, not my own, for which pray.
Last summer Herbert Warren heard
from your aunt Of that betrothal We have
never considered binding, and he left
you as any Honorable man would do, be-
lieving his love offered too late"
"But-but-you
81 will explain dear. Freddie heard
the interview. You know the old saying
Little pitchers have long ears and Fred
die told me-
The burning face was hidden in Meta's
trembling hands, as DIR. Anderson con-
tinued "Forgiye me. Meta IL my inter-