Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-04-01

Then he was a naval officer, and he had
had a romance, which keenly interested
the young people especially.
He had never visited our little town
since he had left it that memorable day
after his unfortunate marriage. Ru-
mors of this and that had reached the
ears of the good folk of Akenside, but
IL was from an intimate friend OF Bar
bara Lippincott that | heard the story
The communicating Wost-was
early left alone in the world, and made
his home during holiday times at the
Iippincotts'. who were old friends of
bis mother. He was at college with
Ned Lippincott. and then was suddenly
seized with the fever to be n sailor An
influential friend of his fathers gained
him the appointment; he passed the
requisite examination, and entered the
Naval academy. lie had graduated,
and was about to enter upon his new
duties, when his health suddenly failed.
1t was not uncommon story of a fine
physique and perfect health ruined by
persistent disregard of all hygienic
rules. He came to the only home he
had known for years. as everyone
thought, TO die. lie did not give up
without desperate struggle. lie CON
suited the test physicians, who all
agreed that his case was hopeless. Mrs.
Lippincott having died within the year.
Barbara, the only daughter. his life
long playmate and friend, was his un-
firing nurse. 1t was his only consoIa-
ton. She was so sympathetic. so ear
nest, 80 beautiful. King lay there one
sIu,~ al. Il.
perfectly-iitting mourning dress. WI ich
brought out with startling clearness
the golden hair. deep blue eyes and fair
skin of Barbara Lippincott.
"Bab, come here, will YOU % ne asked.
Something new in his tone made the
girl look at him apprehensivcly as she
obeyed him. He was lying on the low
couch, and she sat ON a cushion beside
him. The contrast between the strong
man SO familiar to her and the one she
saw now made her voice very tender.
as she asked:
Can / do anything for you. King?"
"Yes. you can--marry me- was :he
abrupt reply. II know I'm not much
TO marry nc went on. in his faint voice.
"Bones, chiefly. but il is the desire of
my heart to have you bear my name
for awhile and-and-" Here "A flush
came into the pale face-"and TO have
you take care of all this money ] must
leave to some one. 1t will save me a
world of trouble, and you will do far
more good than l ever could or would
90 with it. ] know you don't love me.
dear, as 1 do you, but 1 thought, per
haps, you'd consent; it's for such lit
tie while. Why, / can hardly remcm-
Der the time 1 didn't love you. Bat,
darling" He stopped abruptly, and
barbara, alarmed by his pallor, shocked
and overcome by his unexpected con
fession and request, could only beg him
20 give her time.
That night she lay awake trying 60
decide what TO do. She longed for her
mother as never before. She loved no
one else, but the hero Of hcr dreams
had always been an unknown, fascinat-
ing creature, and King West she knew
so we'll lie was dear, good fellow,
brave AMI handsome, but she would al
most as soon think of marrying Ned
rs his old aud intimate friend. II
wrung her womanly heart 70 think of
him so soon to die. What mattered her
girlish qualms? AS he had said, IL
would be such little while, after ali,
and 10 would make the dear fellow hap
pier. But there was that money. II
only he were poor, her motives woulp