West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-05-09

science, and all. went to the winds.
At eve, by sunset. I was there: vet
/ found Miss Rothelau awaiting me.
Not the bright face. not the glad ring
OF welcome in her voice. not the warm.
quick clasp OF the hand. and though
she did not resist tho kiss | pressed
on her pale lips. rs little ala she re-
turn IL. a chilling fear stole over me
0s tried 60 read her countenance.
Don't she cried. and hid her face
on my shoulder. There was blur OF
tears IN her voice Rs well as her eyes.
Edna l began. with n convulsive
clasp, you VIII not give mo up GU
tirely2 You VIII waltz"
Let me ten you somcthing," she
returned. slipping from my clasp. and
placing her arm In mine so that we
might walk down tho path. You
VIII see then there is only one
course for me to take. am not weak
Is sUperstiuous. yet | confess there ia
fate or curse hanging about our
family that | dare not tempt. IL ia
said that when tho house was first
built, the master OF Rothelnn brought
proud and beautiful woman there.
who was neither servant nor mistress
but followed and waited ON her en-
slaver with the fondcst devotion. At
length he went on suddenly. She
watched for his coming as only women
who love can watch, and after weary
weeks, received "a lctter that darkened
her face as well as her life. The mas
ter had welded n falr young wife. and
was shortly Co bring her home. Tho
acrYonts We're bidden TO have every
thing I'm readiness. Tho woman whose
only task IN that house had been TO
love. folded her mantle about her. and
walked through the hail with an uu-
hinchiug step. Down the wide path
borderod with cod3rs. down through
the thick trees until sho was lost 20
sight.
'rhe master OF Rothclnn was happy
In his wife. doubly happy when his
little son was born. But one day he
found tall gaunt woman beside the
bed OF his sleeping child. Hor beauty
had faded but her eyes filed him
with terror and he went down on his
knees 20 pray for his sons life and
safety
I should scom 20 touch him. che
said, with a gesture OF dlsdain. do
not take my revenge that way. 1
Will put curse upon him, and you.
and all your descendants. Father
and child shall war with each other
continually, and they shall know what
IL is TO be homeless, VugnbOnd wan
derera OF the earth.
''The next day the tide washed her
up on the beach. dead and stln. They
gave her decent burial. but It is said
her unquiet ghost still walks.
Whether. from broodlng continually
over 81, the prediction brought It's
own fulhlnent 20 every one. or
whether Il was I'm reality curse.
cannot tell. My father and are the
last of the name. 1t has been true OF
every generation"
but you cannot, viii not place such
implicit reliance on this foolish story?"
j cried. well knowing what her dcci-
sion must be. II do not ask you TO
leave your fathers home. only TO wait
until ! can win his consent"
1T 10 best for us 30 forget the past"
she snid. II think now / can never
love or marry another person. and
doubtless you believe the same. Yet
such things have happened. want
you 90 feel entirely free. Only. let us
promise each other ono thing. II we
should ever decide on that step. let us
write and tell each other frankly"
The next day / went back TO the
city. Mr. IIatton wanted me I'm his
office. and was glad OF anything
that came 20 me without trouble. /
was no heart in them. made rapid
strides I'm my profession. thanks 10
my kind patron. ana by degrees over
lived that brief episode. l did not fall
I'm love or marry. although / felt GER
tain much of the time that Edna
ROthelan would.
Mr. Dawson died: the farm was sold
Mrs. easier took her mother with her
20 California. so / had no means OF
hearing from them. Judge OF my
surprise when Mr.. Rothelan'8 letter
came
His daughter had refused several
good offers; she had grown pale and
thin: he knew ~ was worrying for
me. and II still cared anything
about hor, / might come and marry
her. All had to DO was 20 drop him
a line, and he would meet me at the
station.
This was 20 different from his cold,
elegant patronizing manner True
he might be different I'm letters. had
no need 90 ask myself if / stili loved
Edna Rotheian. My heart gave one
tumultous bound. The idoa Of her
pininE for me was positive pleasure
/ packed up a few necessary articles
took leave Of Mr.. Hatton. and started
at once
bLeIptu from tuc cars on the Ulat-
form. No familiar face was I'm slght
4 gentleman with rather feeble
walk and a stoop in his ahouldera
came unsteadily toward me. and said
gomewhat hesltatingIy.-
"Ar. Woodbury.. / believer"
ran my Cye over him. Tho voice
the fncc-c0uld 81 be Mr. Rotheiap?
lie looked fifteen years older. and had
curious oppression. as 81 me- was CON
tinually on the alert for soncbodv
The courdy pauonizing air had do
generated into something that savored
Of gervility. yet he wgB not unpIeae-
auty Obsoquious.
"Have you been m2" J asked. after
several Intellectual attempts al com
vcrsatiou fearing 40 speak on tho sub
iect that lay nearest my hcarf
Moves. Well. I've been complain
ing these two years or go. nothing
special only people VIII grow ola and
lose their strength. you know" nud
he gave weak .auuh
We came in sight OF the house ba-
fore he spoke again. Then U was with
short. nervous laugh
IT expect vouI find as changed d
good deal Edna is graver than eba
used 60 be. j think she worries about
me. but f could see her married TO-
man who would make her haurt
7 should be- more comfortable mvssff
I used t0 think very highly OF wealth
and ai1 that you know. but Z don't
mind it now. The oi1 house la too