The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-12-08
TIE CONSUL'S WIFE.
rY HELEN FoRsEsr GRAVES.


but fearing very much that 1 should
find the quiet aud solitude of Durell
Court too dull for my tastes"
''But that's horridi !" said Miss We'll
don. ''Not in the least like the letter
she wrote me. Wait minute i have
it here in my pocket"
And, with II heart thrilled by feel
ing somewhat akin to envy, Mrs.
Dure!l read the affectionate, almost
motherly epistlc, which invited Miss
Weldon, for her aunt's sake, to make
Durell Court her home for as long
period rs she pleased, assuring her of
tho warmest welcome and love.
Octavia's eyes filed with tears.
"Why couldn't she have written
such a letter to me?" she exclaimed.
"Because, my dear, you are her
daughter,in-law Miss Weldon phil
osophically answered. "No woman
can welcome the girl who has stolen
away her sons heart. 1t isn't in human
nature"
Octavia was silent for a minute;
then she exclaimed, suddenly:
jamie, I've an inspiration-a posi-
tive inspiration! Let me go! And
you keep away for little while!"
$50 where? Keep away from
whom % said Miss Weldon, in amaze.
ment; and then with Frightening
eyes, she aided: "Oh, 1 see? Oc-
tayia, you are genius! Come here
and sit by me, and well arrange it
ALL"
The golden autumn time had come,
and the woods around Durell Court
were wearing their brightest dyes.
Little Eudora had skipped around
"ll day, gathering the sweetest roses,
arranging yiolets in saucers of Ores
den china, adding new beauties to the
suite OF apartments which had been
prepared for Miss Weldon, the only
Guild OF "grandmamma's dearest
friend"
"For we must enjoy her society all
we can before my odious stepmother
comes" said Eudora, all unconscious
that che was in the least degree un-
charitable.
Poor child she only echoed the
chime of popular opinion, after all.
And when grandmamma's pony
phaeton came back from the train
with the tall, lovely lady in black, Eu-
dora flew into her arms with all q
child's innocent enthusiasm.
Stand Off little, an let me look
Mt you," said the child. joyously,
pushing back her jetty curls -ah, SO
like Sigismund's that Octayia's heart
thrilled within her ooh. you are ex-
actly like what [ pictured you in my
minJl Aud we are going to be SO
happy together-you and 1, and
grandmam na-until-until my step
mother comes !"
Octayia looked wistfully at her.
Dear Eudoral" she said, impul-
sively, 81 love you already. Promise
me that you will love me!'
The warm hearted little girl covered
her cheeks, brow and lips with kisses
Dear Miss Weldon" said she, 'I
promise you n thousand times over"
And Mrs. Durell led the guest smil-
ingly to her room.
"My darling" said she, al want
you to be very happy here. For you
are filling place in our hearts that
has long been vscnnt-my daughters
place !"
But Mrs. Sigismund Durell p"
suggested the stranger, coloring
deeply.
The old lady made gesture of dis
sent.
81 can never love her =" she uttered,
sadly.
"But me-you will be kind TO me p
My dear jamie, you are like my
own child already" lovingly spoke
tho old lady.
Aud Mrs Durell never suspected
/ the rain Of bttor tears which poor
Octayia shed when she was at last left
alone.
''But ] will make them love me 20
she thought; land when once thoir
affection is thoroughly mine, / will
not let them withdraw it from me.
/ merely because j am Octavia Durell
/ instead Of jamie Weldon !"
And this beautiful young iupostor
had not been week in the house be-
fore sho had won all hecrts. She was
/ grandma's darling, Eudora's confdnnt,
tho pot md sunshine of tho house.
And OH, how her heart beat when
Mrs. Durcll looked Mt her tenderly
ono evening, and said, with a kiss:
Dear little jamie, I was thinking
how many thou and dollars 1 would
give il Sigismunl's vito were like
you"
Octnyia turned first red, then white.
"Mrs. Durell," she said, hurriedly,
''if j were Sigismund's wife"
And just then a bcvy Of guests were
shown in, and the words of confession
were checked on Octavia's lips.
But the secret betrayed itself at
last, ne secrets will always do.
It was rosy December sunset, tho
snowy fields all dyed with carmine,
the hugo fire Of messy logs cracking
in the tiled fire .plsce Of Durell Court.
Tho old lady was sereneiy doing in
tho blaze, aud Eudora was helping
her guest TO arrange roses, fresh gath
cred from the greenhouses, 10 antique
maiolica vases, when the door sudden