The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-05-10

writing her, she would write and release
him from his engagement with herself.
Her heart was almost broken, but she
said to herself over and over that il was
better for him and she would not let
him know how much she cared
How was she TO know that the letter
she sent releasing him was the only one
he had received from her and how again,
should she know that Miss Clark was
even then married and that the interest
she had taken Ray was only the kind
ness she felt for anyone?
Her life, now seemed a blank, but
with true Christian fortitude she went
about her work and was ever ready to
do kind act. 'if
In the spring when an old friend,
Clifton Edwards, asked her to marry
him she told him the story as we have
told it to you and that her heart could
never be his, but il he was content with
her hand alone be could take it.
He accepted her on the terms she pro-
posed and promised her his love should
meyer intrude upon her until it was
welcome. "For," said he, "the friendly
feeling Of May Allen is better than the
passionate love of another woman" She
was joy in his home and a comfort to
his widowed. mother If thoughts Of
another glided into her heart she put
them aside as unloyal to the husband
who was devotion itself.
Two years passed, years filed with
good. She was no nearer loving the
man whom she had married than the
dav in which she married him. Her
heart was Interchangeable.
Would you like to know something of
Ray?
He had waited in vain for the letters
which never come. He was constantly
haunted by the pale beautiful face of
May, yet no letter of his brought a
response.
The teachers complimented him on
the carefully prepared lessons, but they
little knew the trouble and time spent
on those lessons, forever was Mays face
on the page with look OF sorrowful re-
proach at him. .. At last came the letter
releasing him. Alas for human hopes
how soon they are shattered.
He was ill, the teachers shook their
heads and said lover work." but Ray
knew it was breaking heart. But
when in letter from his sister he learn
ed Of Mays marriage, he devoted him.
self to his books with a renewed energy
and never did one accomplish more in
the same lenght of time. Now in anoth-
state he was lawyer whose fame had
penetrated the most distant places. But
the schemes Of "mammas" who had
"marrisgeable daughters" all failed and
the daughters themselves declared he
was made of iron. Maybe he was, for 1
am sure they used every facination in
their power, but in his heart there lived
an image of girlswith true gray eyes
that the wiles Of no one could erase.
Five years have now passed, let's look
into the homes and see what change
time has made. First, we see May
Edwards. She is dressed in mourning
for she has lost the husband who loved
her 30 dearly, thus another sorrow for
the gentle sad-eyed woman, for she re-
spected the husband who was so good
and true and mourned him for her truest
friend. Ray Merryll is at home with
his old father, the first time in FIVE
years, and from him hears that May is a
widow.
One day in the early part of May they
met, the first time in five years, met in
the lane where he had told her many a
tins of his love. He walked slowly
home with her andILhe told her of his
successes and failures. She knew he
loved her still, but she could not see why
he had deserted her in the old days
She was soonl to know this for at her
gate they met woman whose wan face
still showed traces of beauty She look
ed at them and a repentant expression
passed over her face and she told them
how she had once loved Ray and seeing
he loved May had intercepted their
letters, which was easy to do as she was
the daughter OF the postmaster and often
in the office. She told them she had
bitterly repented the sinful act and that
she had been rewarded according to
what she had done one could tell, for the
once beautiful face was now worn and
haggard.
They had been separated long time,
but at last they we're happy and on the
same day in June as had been set five
years ago Ray Msryll and May were
made man sand wife. They are happy
none the less 80 that the trouble came
first and with their little children they
are children themselves again.
In happiness we found them, through
sorrow we have taken them and now in
happiness we leave them.