Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-01-14

so klnuiy tnSt ieit my neart leap as
thought
"It's for Maude's sake he has done
this thing Hs loves her. .
Il did not see a strange that she
| should have won the heart Of man as
high in the worlds favor as Ernest
Melrose stood. Itwould not have seemed
strange to me had she won royalty, In
my eyes she might have graced any
| throne.
| So wrote her of his visit and it's
wonderful results. How father improved
| day by day. aud how with health came
| hope and courage, SO that soon the
clouds would scatter and we should
| nave her home again
But she answered, begging me never
10 think of her except as happy. that in
Mrs. Marvin she had found second
mother and in her work only pleasure.
She rarely mentioned DIR Melrose's
name, but could we'll understand why
she was silent,
So the winter passed Two or three
], times the doctor came TO relieve tho
monotony. My parents grew TO welcome
him as friend, and /, in my heart of
hearts, as brother, for I felt sure
had guessed the secret of his love for
Maude
He talked of her so constantly, tell
ing ma how bravely she did her duty
and how her beauty of character far ex-
ceeded even the charm of face and form.
We looked to him almost as our de
liverer, for fathers health and vigor
were at last restored, but when he asked
| him for his bill he laughingly replied:
"That was a private matter with Miss
Maude. She is to settle that =
s My father looked amazed but l could
appreciate the payment he would ac-
cept and imagined their surprise when
he should demand il at their hands.
The summer was rapidly approaching
the time for Maudc's homo coming
was at hand
With glad, happy heart / decorated
our room with the roses she so loved !;
windows, topped them back with sprays
of flowers, all the while singing aloud
in my joy.
| had reason to be happy, for Maude
was coming to home over which hung
no shadow Of debt The mortgage had
been paid. What she had saved should
go toward her trousseau when she need
ed one, for father had prospered beyond
all expectation.
At last ] heard the sound Of wheels
Nearer and nearer.
II bring you surprise" she had
written, and by her side sat DIR. Mel
rose. knew it all. Was it not as pic
tured, fancied, hopedi / only know that
an impulse which sprang from some
corner of my brain caused me to turn
hastily up the stairs, and, burying my
head in the pillow, sob aloud
ELLIE darling Where are your
questioned sweet, girlish voice. And
sprang up, ashamed of my momentary
weakness, to find myself olasped in my
sisters warm, loving embrace.
She had come back lovelier than ever
All could guess what had deepeneC
the flush upon her cheek. the radiance
to her eyel
| smoothed my disordered hair, listen
4
not word did she say of him, whose
deep, manly tones could hear now and
then as he sat talking.
"Look your BEST, she said, with q
roguish tw:nkle-'your very. very best
THERE am satisfied. I"
And, taking me by the hand, she ran
rapidly down into the room where they
all sat- DR. Melrose arose and came
forward with his old smile of welcome
and made a movement as though he
would already give me brothers kiss,
but remembered in time that his secret
was not yet disclosed.
The evening passed rapidly away in
pleasant laugh and Jest. Occasionally
intercepted glance between Maude and
her guest, full Of meaning, but no one
else seemed to notice it. At last he rose
to bid us goodnight, and as he held my
hand a moment in his he whispered:
lyon have always been the most in
defatigable in pressing my small claim
upon you. Tomorrow will present il
to you for payment. May see you for
few moments in the morning?"
Certainly" l answered, but my
voice trembled, and / think had he
staid moment longer l should have
burst into tears.
All through that long night watch
ed my sister, sleeping so peacefully by
my side. waging my little war with
myself.
How natural that he should love her,
SO young, so lovely! But. ah, why had
my heart gone forth unasked to meet
his? AT least the secret was all my own
none would suspect it.
/ had not known it myself until
had seen them side by side With per
haps shade less color, little culver
ing of the lips, but nothing more, / en-
tered the parIor next morning to greet
DIR. Melrose, who stood waiting for me.
II have come, as you know, to claim
my payment, Ellie, Can you guess its'
A momentary struggle with myself
/ fha,, I s,uS,yarad bra Nv