Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-11-21
ESTRER'S LOVE DREAM.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

She stood at the window, withher
hands folded on the broad old FISH
Toned sill, watching for some one.
The sunlight, as it fell on sher
hair, seemed to powder it with gold
dust. Under a black, curling lash,
lay violet eye, and there her beau
ty ended. She was not young, count
ing her girl, and so little OF belle
that it was her greatest wonder, as
she watched the road, that she
should be waiting and listening thus
for man who loved her.
"For Gerald surely loves me" she
thought. HE has all but told me
so, and then every night for a long
year has brought him here, until, if
he were not to come, l think my
heart would break. Oh, Gerald !
Gerald do you know how much l
think of you ?"
She only thought this, but her
cheek flushed scarlet, and her eyes
were cast down, as though the world
had heard her utter the words, and
then her heart beat faster as over
the hill at full speed came dash
ing rider, who only che cked his speed
at the gate Of Oaknook itself, and
sprang down lightly, kissing his hand
to its mistress.
"Oh, Gerald Gerald p she said
to herself, under her breath, but she
only bowed smilingly, and waited for
him to enter. He did not come at
once.
"Talking to Rose, l suppose" she
said, with a little, happy smile. 81
saw her on the porch just now" and
then giving just one glance in the
mirror, she went out to join them.
No one was on the porch-no one
on the garden seat under the oaks,
which had given the place the name
it bore. But, following the path, she
heard a murmur Of low voices under
the grape arbor, and paused, despite
herself, to listen, the tone attracting
her.
1t was Gerald Loire who spoke.
She had never heard his voice sound
as it sounded then before. She crept
a little closer and saw him. Saw al
SO her cousin, Rose Hurd.
Rose sat, a blonde Hebe, with fiow-
ers amid her waves OF pale gold hair,
both little hands clasped by the man
who knelt at her feet, and all the
color passed from Esther Lees face
as she saw them.
A frozen statute of despair, she
stood and listened. Rose was sneak
ing now. =
Il thought" said the silyery voice
-''indeed, Mr.. Loire, I thought you
came to see Cousin Esther. It's so
sudden, too. I've only been here
month, and you've known her for
ages"
81 will be frank with you said
Gerald Loire. Before you came 1
did fancy that l loved Esther. Next
to yourself, as friend, sister, do
love her yet. But my heart is yours.
There are men who would be tempt
ed by Miss Lees money to forget
that. suppose, but I'm no fortune
hunter. thought she was good
true, pure, and she IS, but you are
beautiful-you are perfect. You
don't quite hate me, Rose? ?"
"Not quite
"Does that mean you can love
me ~ and then, as their lips met,
Esther could wait TO see no more.
Softly she fitted indoors and up
to her room. There, seeing her dead
ly pallor, she did what she had never
done before, and, borrowing from
Roses store of cosmetics, wore a
flush not natural, yet in the evening
light becoming and scarcely to be
detected. And even if it were. she
thought, anything rather than that
CHASTITY look-anything rather than
that he should guess she had any
pain to bear.
The room rang with her laugh
that evening. She played gay DANCES,
she sang merry songs she chatted
of a thousand things. And when,
later on, they were alone together,
and Rose, bali fearful-for she knew
that she had striven to captivate
Gerald, and this was her own work,
in measure-told her of her en-
] gagement, Esther laughed gayly.
"As if did not know already, sill
| ly child 'shc said. and suffered the
kiss SO gleefully given and went
trippingly to her own room.
Tha~o nth xh6 x1no.. 1~or>~a =. =