The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-11-25
SOMERSET, PA. WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER %. 1896.

"Why should / weep over a stranger?'
she asked herself, half ashamed; but
there was something in the helpless,
pitiful condition of this young man
that appealed to her soft-hearted wo-
man's nature. Lucky, twas no worse,
said the doctor, as he took his leave,
promising TO come again soon; "but it
will be some time before he will be him
self again"
When Harry Earle, for such was his
name, awoke to consciousness, he had
bat dim idea as to where he was or
what had happened to him. He tried
to stir himself, but the effort cost him
such bodily anguish that an involun-
tary groan escaped his lips. Edna
hastened 10 his bedside and inquired if
she could do anything for him. The
strangers dark eyes liz up as he gazed
upon her face. "Will you please tell
me where am and what has happened
to me?" he inquired. Edna then
briefly detailed to him the circum-
stances of the accident and how he had
come to be carried to her home in an
unconscious condition. 81 remember"
he said; 1.-The horses ran away" and
then he Telapsed into silence; but oc-
casionally his eyes would wander TO
where she sat.
The doctor came again and again,
and the patient improved rapidly, con-
sidering the extent of his injuries, till
at last he was able 10 walk out with his
arm in a sling. The acquaintance be-
tween himself and Edna mad progress
ed famously, and he had given her
parents and herself an account Of
himself. He was the son of
wealthy importing merchant of
Philadelphia, and at the time of the
runaway was on his way to Pike coun-
ty on hunting expedition, and added
that but for that unforeseen occurrence
he would perhaps have never known
those who had been so kind to him.
Edna attempted to hold aloOf fror1 him
as much as possible afte- his recovery,
and she had a foolish feeling of blush
ing whenever he came into her pres
ence; but Harry was inexorable that
she should accompany him on every
little expedition, and she more often
went from a lack of courage To refuse
him. He spoke of returning to his
city home, bat the good farmer and his
wife gave him warm invitation To
remain longer, and he continued to
stay as though 10th to depart. He
and Edna were thrown more and more
in each others society, and she found
her liking for him growing stronger.
Indeed, in he secrecy of her own
thoughts, she knew she loved him; but
she felt that an inseparable barrier was
between them in social position, and
she tried to kill her budding passion.
Harry Earle exhibited his preference
for her by many kind attentions, and
it was plain to be seen that he was far
from Indifferent to her. His dark eyes
kindled when they rested upon her
fair face, and he knew that she was the
one among women whom he could
love. She was so different from those
with whom he had before associated
SO charming in her girlish simplicity
and INNOCENCE, and so lovely of face
and form.
At last came a summons from his
father requiring his presence in Phila-
delphia Immediately. Harry knew
what were his fathers intentions with
regard TO himself, aud also what his
anger would be should he contract an
alliance contrary to his wishes; but he
was determined that he would not
leave this sweet girl who possessed his
whole heart without declaration of
his passion and an explanation. He
informed Edna that on the morrow he
should start for home in obedience to
summons from his father. Her face
bIanched for an instant and she invol-
unfairly exclaimed "Goingr Her lips
trembled and her voice wavered, but
she bravely hid her emotion and quiet
Iy expressed her regret. ''Ies, going"
said he, "but before ] go, Edna, will
you tell me that you are sorry-that
you care for me? L love You, darling,
and cannot go away silent. Tel me
that you love me-" said he seizing her
hand and trying to look into her eyes
those coy, sweet brown eyes, now shin
ing with the light of love-''and l
shall be the happiest man in the
world.u She did not resist him as he
pressed ber yielding form to his breast
and covered her face, brow, and neck
with passionate kisses. He then relat-
ed TO her his fathers ambitious desires
for him, matrimonially, but stated that
he would wed her or none. He then
asked her to wait for him, ''for, my
dearest" he said, ''whatever my father
thinks, will surely claim you for my
very own within years time"
The next morning Harry Earle was a
passenger on board the coach, bound
for Philadelphia. He had hidden good
bye to Edna and her parents, with
many assurances to the former that he
| would write often. Edna went into
the house with a desolate feeling at
heart-a feeling as though one whom
she had loved was dead. She eager
ly waited for the slow-coming mail,
but no letter came, as days drifted
into weeks with no tidings from her
absent lover she became plunged in
grief. She thought with shudder that
perhaps ne was dead, and almost sob-
bed aloud in her agony of mind. Dis
trust also entered her heart, but she
Immediately thrust it out as unworthy
of her. and finally resigned herself tC
calm despair.
Three years have come and gone
three wears of silent wretchedness tC
Edna Wright-and Thanksgiving Day
is here again. What sorrowful memo
ries the day calls up in her mind
memories of him whom she had lovet
but to lose, and of her once happy care
less life, There has been a remarkabl
change in the manner and appearance
of Edna during these three years. He
girlish figure has developed into wo