The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-11-25
of the once happy girl who is a now
woman bearing lifelong grief.

of the once happy girl who is a a now
woman bearing lifelong grief.
EDNA, darling, she says, 81 want to
talk with you regarding Hugh Goble."
The girl simply inclined her head by
way of reply.
AZ want 10 ~ continued her
mother, as has said before that il
the man il 50 distas:eful to you it is not
too late even now 10 save yourself from
marriage which promises to be so un-
congenial. Rather than that / should
cause you to make such a sacrifice of
your happiness would go 10 the poor
house, and / am sure your father feels
as i do"
"Mother," said the girl, and her
voice trembled pitifully and her hands
clutched eonvulsively, ''there is no
more love or happiness for me in this
world, and | would as soon marry
Hugh Goble rs any one"
The anxious mother walked sOrrow-
fully away with many misgivings at
heart.
Hugh Goble, the subject of their con-
yersation, owned the farm adjoining
that of Mr.. Wright, and was reputed
to be quite wealthy. He had secured
possession of a mortgage against Mr..
Wright's farm, which, owing to long
illness and poor crops, the old farmer
had been unable to pay of when due.
Goble had east covetous eyes upon the
farmers lovely daughter and determin-
ed to use his power to advantage. He
was man fully a years of age and ut
terly coarse and repulsive in appear
ance. She at first eoldly repelled his
advances, but he worked upon her feel
ings by appealing TO her sense of duty
to her parents in marrying him and
saving them from ruin. Edna looked
the matter bravely in the face, and,
burying her finer feelings, determined
upon sacrificing herself for the sake OF
her aged parents.
This thanksgiving was not much like
that of three years ago, thought Edna,
as she calmly prepared for the trying
ordeal of becoming the wife Of man
whom she abhOrred. The few guests
invited had already assembled when
Al I. 4. sfafF. tho nFI-
DIAL veil, entered the room where the
ceremony was 10 take place. The wind
howled dismally without, like lost
spirit haunting the scene, and feath-
cry snowflake now and then scuGded
past the window. Edna's soon To be
husband greeted her with a smile
upon his coarse features and his man.
ner was one of triumph. The guests
too their places around the couple, and
the clergyman, in a slow, solemn voice,
began the reading OF the marriage SER
vice.
'Wilt thou take this man to be thine
lawfully welded husband?" he inter-
rogated Edna.
There was breathless silence for
second.
"Never ~ rang out a clear, thrilling
voice, and the next instant a tall, man
ly form strode into the room.
Edna looked, clasped her hands to
her head as if to collect her senses and
with a cry of Harry she tottered
across the ro ON and into his arms
1t was indeed the long lost Harry
Earle, risen as though from the dead.
The guests were surprised and the min
lister amazed at the turn afflirs had
taken, aud the would be bridegroom
silently left the house with a LOOK of
unutterable disgust and hatred upon
his face. The wedding was declared
OFF on tine spot
Edna had fainte d from sheer JOY and
overwrought feelings. Harry Earle
bore her in his arms % a lDunse, where
restoratives soon brought her TO con-
sciousness. She Immediately looked
for his face, fearing that it had all been
a terrible dream and that she had
awakened to find him no more. Sac
tightly clasped his hands as though
she would fain hold them forever, and
his passionate kisses brought such a
look of happiness into her face as 1t had
not worn in many day.
That night, when the little family
assembled together, Harry Earle relat-
ed the story of his Gong absence and
apparent neglect, which had we'll
nigh wrecked the happiness of botn.
When he returned home from Strouds-
burg his father met him in state OF
great perturbation, saying that there
was some tr0able about consignment
of tea from China and that Harry
should sail for that country Immediate
", giving him full instructions and tell
ing him to go on board at once, as the
vessel was ready to weigh anchor.
Harry hesitated, thinking OF his be-
trothed and her Ignorance of his jour
nev; but he told himself that he would
be absent but short time, aud that he
would write to her in the meantime.
Shortly after his arrival in China he was
taken with fever, and for long time he
raved i'm delirium and his life was des-
paired of. At last, when the crisis had
passed, his recovery was slow. He
wrote and posted letter to Edna, bat
it must have miscIrried. When he
| had fully recovered he sailed for home.
The voyage wasa rough one and the
vessel had to put into port for repairs
Reaching home at last, the young man
found his father on his death-bed aud
STAYED with him until the end came
By his fathers will he was left heir tc
vast wealth. Then he prepared to
come to his sweetheart, and ON th'
way he met a former StrOudsburg ac
auaintance, who told him the circum
stances of tie approaching marriage
Harry left the slow coach and, securing
horse, galloped on ahead and arrived
at the scene just at the critical moment
.God be thankedr' said Mr.. Wright
sslet us pray" and tine little compan.
knelt down while the good old mar
poured out a prayer of thanksgiving 3
the Giyer of all good for His mercies
1t is doubtful if n happier or NOR