Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-10-07
A HAPPY ENDING

well, I'm glad that some one has
bought Judge Harmon's old place at
last" said John Saunders, as he fin
ished his cup Of tea.
His sister looked up "Ietty spoke
of II the other day, but did not know
II the rumor was true. Who is the pur
chaser2 DO you known
Somebody from the city. They say
he's rich, and win spend his summers
here. 1t win make quite difference
In the village when those shutters are
taken down. 1t seems the Judge Is
going to remain in Bermuda perman-
entity the climate agrees so well with
him. Well, | must be off to the store
If | wish to get back before dark" and
away John went whistling out of the
door and down the road.
His sister busted herself clearing
away the supper table and washing
the dishes and when her work was
ended sat down on the chair in the ivy
covered porch to read the latest maya
zine. but its contents did not interest
her. and her thoughts were busy with
the past.
Cynthia Saunders was an old maid.
She was tall, somewhat angular and
not at all good-looking. but there was
something very attractive in her coun-
teHance, ''the goodness shining
through" as one of her neighbors ex
pressed 1t, which made her the friend
of every one she came in contact with.
and the idol of the village school.
where she had labored faithfully so
many years.
Cynthia had had her romance, an ex-
perience which had saddened her
Il f. III III
the past her mind wandered back to
that summer day twelve years before
twelve years that very day 1t occurred
to her then-wben Frank Hendriek had
parted with her at the gate. She could
see him now as he strobe down the
road in anger.
1t was only lovers quarrel, a trifle,
but both were obstinate, and as re-
suit the arrangement had become per-
manent. A few weeks after that event
full evening she had heard the remark
from some gossip in the village street
that Frank Hendricks was going away.
He had disposed of his business and
would leave in a few days for the city.
At last the day came when she heard
of his departure. and after one out
burst of grief, Cynthia had made up
her mind to Danish him from her
thoughts and live her life without him.
Years had gone by. She had been
too busy with her school and home
work to be very unhappy, but she
could not forget, and the news of the
sale of the Judges house had opened
the wound in her heart afresh. How
often had Frank said to her that some
day he would buy the old place, the
handsomest in Blairsyllle--some day
when he had become rich-and how
happy they would be then.
Often she had thought that she hated
him for his desertion, his cruelty to
her. but at that moment she acknowl-
edged the truth. and not to herself
nlone-'I love him still" Inadvertent-
" she spoke the words aloud.
.Then you will forgive me, Cynthia
said a voice She looked up Frank
Hendricks stood before her, older with
hair slightly gray, she could see in the
gathering twilight, but Enthusiastically
Frank.
One moment she hesitated, then
threw herself into her lovers arms.
How could you be so cruel not 20
let me hear Il word from you Ia all
these years
But there must be some mistake. l
wrote YOU many times twice even be-
fore left RIairsville, until your silence
forced me to believe that you no long
err cared to hear from me-.
II never received letter, Frank.
Some one has treated us most cruelty"