Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-11-21

dropped like dead thing on the
floor. She made no moan, she she'd
no tears, but her agony was terrible.
At sunset she had fancied herself be-
/ loved at middight she was all alone
in the world. Mother, father, or sis
ter, she had none. Her only relative
was this giddy beauty, who had will
ed her love from her. 1t was little
wonder she hated her in those dark
hours.
But soon Esther had conquered
herself soon she softened toward
Rose soon she said, Better now
than if we bad been we'd" and she
steeled herself for the com bat. No
one knew how she suffered-no one
guessed the truth not Gerald, glad
TO feel himself no culprit, for be had
cared Esther loved him, and kneau
he had striven to win her love not
Rose, who wondered in her Utmost
soul how plain Cousin Esther, who
hal never bad lover, could have
merely fitted with such a man as
Gerald Loire not the gaping, idle,
little village world about Oaknook.
1
Rose was married from her cous.
ms house, and Esther smiled as gay
ly as any there, and as at the same
window from which she had watch
ed for Gerald Loire's coming on the
last night of her dream, she saw the
carriage roll away with groom and
bride, she answered the wave Of
hand and kercbief cheerfully ere she
turned back into her desolate home.
Lonely, now, forever-lonely, no
matter who should dwell there with
her, for Gerald Loire was gone.
She had letters from Rose during
the honeymoon--letters when they
were at housekeeping. At first cheer
fal finally complaining.
Into their lines odd hints Of un-
pleasantness were dropped "Gerald
stayed out late y ''Gerald was not
making money. He was losing all
he had specializing in the most in
sane manner"
Then the letters stopped for a
year, until one Christmas eve the
postman brought one to Oaknook.
1t was written in Roses band, and
ran as follows:
Eve are here at -, and my baby is
| only Two months old. We are in the most
| dreadful dilemma about money! and, to
add to all, Gerald has contrived to shoot
| himself by accident with friends reyolv
er. He's in no danger, they say; but what
| fright for me. And, in the midst. duns
at the door, and my only silk shockingly
| frayed at the elbows, and my whole ward
| robe so shabby Pm sick of myself. Why do
! girls marry, Estherf l don't know why I
! did. 1t would be a comfort to see you, if
| you could come. l haven't friend in the
world except you.
| "4our unhappy cousin,
'sRosE.v
So it had come to this. She had
won him from her to be wretched
with him. Should she have been so
also? Esther sighed.
Then, looking out upon the wintry
day, she resolved TO 60 to them.
"They need a FRIEND" she said.
81 will be one to them
And so she took her way to the
place from which Rose had address
ed her letter in the quiet Christmas
afternoon.
A coarse looking girl, who had in
her manner unmistakabie doubts
about her wages, opened the door,
and Esther in few moments stood
in the presence of the husband and
wife. She was untidy and sulky.
Half her good looks gone with her
merry glance and dimples. He look
ed worn and ILL.,
Before long Esther bad heard all.
If duns were not 80 plenty they
could live, bat those old debts were
heavy upon them.
"We can't live as we have DONE
said Gerald. eve must economic.
l was an idiot to involve myself as
did in that swindling company. 1t
has been my RUM
The wife muttered, Economic
We live like beggars now Y and cast
a glance Of utter hate at her hus.
band. Il wonder she said, in q
whining tone, ''if any one would
know me for Rose of the old days
used to dress so beautifully
I'm not sure you are the same, =
muttered Gerald, and Esther asked
to see the baby.
The mother took no pride in it.
Gerald WINGED at its fretting. Tue
money troubles were uppermost.
|
They could think of nothing else.
Esther strove to cheer them. feel.
ing, with strange mixture of de
light and grief, that Gerald was
now that she stood in his presence
only Roses husband, nothing more.
Alone with her cousin, she learned
the amount OF debts they owed, and
promised the sum to her.
sit will start you in life again, z
she said, sand you may be happy
yet" And tears came into her eyes
at the thought that the woman who
had married Gerald could be SO
wretched.
at is very kind Of YOU said
Rose. But it will be no use. Ger
| aid is so unluclxv y