Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1893-10-28
u 1Hf-
Y MYSTERY Of LOVE.

| sAAA Ii, all SOtuS W uIc
asked Norman Bradford, in a weak
voice.
DIR. Adair's keen black eyes sud-
denly dimmed as he looked down in.
to the face OF his friend. His voice
was husky as he tried to answer
cheerfully:-
Ny dear fellow, while there is
life there is hope"
Ralph, your reply is evasive. /
mnst know the truth. Can | live 2"
For moment the physicians firm
lip quivered. His heart was touch
ed. He took his patients hand as
he said, TREMENDOUSLY
| "No, my poor fellow, your hours
are numbered"
81 thought so" calmly returned
the sick man. " Call Bessie, then
kindly leave rs together for awhile"
The doctor left the room, and soon
a pretty girl, with large blue eyes
entered.
"Do you want me, Guardy ~ she
asked, in low, sweet tones.
Yes, Bessie. Close the door,
please, and come to me-"
She obeyed. When she had reach
ed his beside Norman took her hands
in his feeble clasp.
Bessie, the doctor says l am dy-
ing. You are poor and when | die
you will be friendltss / want you
to inherit my wealth. There is but
one way in which you can do that
dear without reproach. dear-you
must become my wife,"
The girl literally held her breath.
How was she to answer him ? Once,
twice, she essayed to speak, but
though her lips moved no words
came.
" 1t will only be a few hours at
the most, Bessie" the weak voice
went on, and it will comfort me in.
expressibly to know that I leave you
provided for"
There was not word about love.
Bessie looked searchingly into the
pale face, and her own color faded
" cannot" she said. But, oh,
dear friend, it is hard to know that
| must loose YOU"
So Bessie Graham knelt by the
supposed deathbed of her guardian,
while the minister who had been
quickly summoned, spoke the words
that made them husband and wife.
Bessie was an orphan. When her
father died he left her-then child
to the care of Norman Bradford,
his esteemed and trusted friend, and
most faithfully had that friend dis
charged the obligation.
Bessie's scanty fortune had been
sufficient to educate her, but now
the last dollar was spent, and she
was dependent on her guardian for
support.
AS child and maiden she has look
ed up to him as her dearest friend.
Now that he was dying and wished
her to be his wife, she never dream
ed of opposing him his wished was
her care. Her tears fell fast as she
knelt there. With the last words OF
the ceremony the close clasp of his
hand relaxed, and she thought he
was gone. But he was not dead he
was only sleeping.
Doctor. Adair shook his head
as he examined his patients pulse
and said he could not possibly sur
we the night, but he was mistaken,
the morning brought a dedided
change for the better. 1t was even
probable that he might live.
Bessie watched over her husband
faithfully. She could not have been
more watchful for his comfort-more
solicitious for his recovery.
But as the weeks passed and Nor
man slowly struggled back to lie,
she began to avoid being left alone
with him. He noticed the change,
and it troubled him greatly.
She does not love me, and re
grets our marriage he thought, sor.
rowfully. 1T is more than / car
bear Why did | not die !? Deatl
would have been preferable to thil