Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-04-03

had always been an unknown, fascin-
sting creature, and King West she
knew so well. He was a dear good fell
low, brave and handsome, but she
would almost as soon think of marry
ing Ned as this old and intimate
friend. 1t wrung her womanly heart
to think OF him so soon to die. What
mattered her girlish qualms? As he
had said, it would be such little
while, after all, and it would make the
dear fellow happier. But there was
that money. Ii only he were poor. her
motives would be understood; but -
well, what did she care if her own
heart was right? And she would give
it all away and help everybody all in
his name, And yet marriage was such
a sacred thing. So poor Barbara tossed
and turned aud reasoned and changed
her mind, and the upshot of it all was
that there was a very solemn and quiet
marriage ceremony. and at its close
the pale, sweet.fsced bride was Mrs.
| West.
Mr.. Lippincott consentei-he loved
this adopted son sincerely-and, in
deed, The never had refused any request
of his idol, Barbara. So the days went
on. Happiness seemed to revive Kings
waning strength for a time, and then
be grew slowly worse. Suddenly upon
the scene came most important actor,
o college friend of Kings, whose
friendship was of that ardor almost
loverlike in its intensity. He had
heard lately OF his friends's condition.
and had come to urge upon him an
Arabian remedy which had been given
him by an uncle whose life had been
passed in the Orient. \ native, whose
life he had saved, had presented it to
him.
With no faith, but partly 10 please
his friend, partly because dying man
catches at any straw which vii pre-
serve life, King followed the pr,scrip.
ton and treatment, and, to everyone's
amazement, he improved, and, after
many weeks, was restored to his old
vigor. OF course, few gave credit 10
this remedy; few knew Of it: L,t
whatever it was, the young man r..
covered.
And then to Barbara came, the shock
OF finding that the restored HE of her
old friend meant bondage TO htr. Was
shea murderess at heart? Oh, -, no
But if she had only stood firm and
never yielded to Kings entreGies.
The very fact that she was bounl TO
him made her turn from him. T1ase
conflicting feelings told upon Ir
health and spirits. And then, o.e
day, her husband came in, holding
letter. He went straight to her, an
taking her hands in his, said:
Barbara, don't think that | have
been blind. Do you think that l
would hold you to your word now2 /
am ordered to China at once. After a
proper absence you can apply for and
obtain a divorce"
Barbara burst into tears as he went
on in his considerate, thoughtful plans
for her comfort, with never a hint of
his own pain.
She had horror of divorce. Let
them be separated for awhile, anyway,
she murmured to herself.
King went off on his three years
cruise, then on another to Australia.
Mr.. Lippincott finally took Barbara
abroad. 1t was then, and while far
away in Australia, that King received
fresh stab. A comrade of his.
brother officer, was reading aloud
letter from n correspondent in Naples
'I'm acting new role nj present" he
wrote, "charperonng wealthy scion OF an
old English family. And here, what does
the fellow do but iall madly in love with
young American widow! To be sure, madam
IS charming, very modest, and beautiful. but.
as old Norah used TO say: 'Widdies are a
desavin' lot and Caron Louis's father has
far different designs for his son. The widows
name Is Madam West, blonde type, She
seems Interested in my protege, must say"
King wrote at once, after his long
silence, to Barbara, urging a divorce.
lie felt that he knew her so well, and
could picture her mentral distress and
scruples against her love for this ap-
parently charming young stranger.
King had aged somewhat, and his
friends declared he was much less jolly
since his long illness. He never
spoke of himself, but he knew that
all real happiness had vanished for
him-the romance of his life was
over, and he was often tempted to
curse his return to health, But he
devoted himself to his loved pro
fession and had risen in it. His love
for Barbara was chivalric and constant
as any knights of old but, above all,
he longed for her to be happy, ut any
sacrifice to himself. He was to return
to New York, and Barbara's answer
was to be sent there. AS the time
drew near, ne could neither eat nor
sleep. He knew it would be the end
of all his feeble hopes, and yet till it
did come, there was no certainty.
How he envied this Caron Louis; he
knew his pure, good Barbara had
given her love unconsciously and
without generalization, and had fought
against it. She was noble woman,
yet how could she help rebelllng
against bondage which the one who