The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-07-26
ONLY A FRIEND.

For years | had known her. Years?
Yes, since my childhood. Playmates we
had been then-schoolmates, then
friends AS l watched her developing
from narrow-minded youth to beauti-
full, broad womanhood l trembled lest
in the picture knew she portrayed of
future perfect happiness / should be
missing.
She was not a beauty as the world
terms them. but the kindly smile and
true character her face reflected were
more beautiful to me than perfect fea-
lures. But her voice; what a voice it
was, A clear, rich meZzo, aided by per
feet execution born OF deep feeling and
power of Interpretation. She held pc
sition in one of the leading churches
In Nj. and there, | confess. was
wont to find the sermon more interest
Ing than at my own home church.
One bright moonlight Sabbath, as We
strolled home from evening service, she
said How well Mr.. Studley sang to-
night! What beautiful voice he has,
Ralph"
oliduBe " say udu bt1il thinning
how well her voice and his blended; be
fore had answered she continued:
He is so pleasant, too. We would
miss him more than any of the others
in the quartet if he should leave us.
YES. Elsie, he is royal fellow. But
will you go with me on Tuesday to hear
Campanari? His voice is better?'
oil Int II
asked me to accompany him that even
ing and | consented.
We'll, he sings again on Thursday;
we can go then" and so 1t was decided.
The house was reached and as We
entered thought | had never seen her
looking so well. Her eyes were bright
and sparkling, and the cold, crisp air
had brought a rich damask pink to her
cheeks. Removing her outer garments
in the hall, she started forward toward
the center of the parlor and as she did
so | stopped her, and slipping my arm
about her, bent, and. ere she could in
| terpret my intention, | kissed her.
! Tearing herself away, her face abla2e.
she cried in voice of deep anger:
/
dare you insult me?" while |. all the
holder because o: her anger, started
| forward, and possessing myself of both
her hands, said
Elsie, angry with me, no. as she
| tried TO free herself-"you shall listen
angry with one who loves you better
than his life. yes better than all the
VIII
ambition is to make you his wife,
With low cry of anguish she start
ed back. released her then
20. Ralph" she said, Il never
thought you would do this. | thought
we were too good friends. Two great
tears started and eoursed down her
cheeks, now pale as death.
Elsie. my darling girl, don't you
love me-"
Love YOU she reiterated; love
you; when have | not loved you, hut
not like that. Ralph; not like that
could never be your wife"
In vain | pleaded and then disa-
greeable thought forced itself upon me
Framing it in words. said softly:
Elsie. is there some one else2n
Trembling. she stood there in the
semi darkness. could see how agi-
tated she was as | caught the faint
whisper; Yes.
Then. indeed, hope died within me
and she continued Ralph, dear
friend Let us be as We always have
been. true friends. Don't" she pleaded
let this spoil our friendship"
1T shall be as you desire. but, Elsie
is there no hope for me? What of this
other?"
Poor Ralph, none. This other does
not even suspect that | care for him,
but, loving him as | do, it would be
wrong for me to consent TO be yom
: wife. Please leave me now; you have
surprised me so.
And | went-alone with my grief
knowing and praying that God would
not let her wait long or in vain for hel
true love to be rewarded and returned
Two days passed and the play wa.
nearly over in the L. opera house
when suddenly the cry of fire" rams
through the auditorium. caught up an,
|
There in the first balcony were Pau
Studey and Elsie Mordant. | watched
them both as the people thronged th'
narrow passageways, They had not,
r felt sure, seen me, and resolved to re
main close at hand. and If necessar!
aid them. He made her wait until tn
. crowd was nearly out: then they start
fan ct on q,
: the door when, as though to add to tn
panic, the lights were turned off.
, started forward.
Elsie" heard him say, "are yoI
: afraid? VIII you trust yourself to me-?
' Il am not afraid while with you
: Paul" was the soft reply, made wit
strange calmness.
you are quite sure. he questioned
. bending low and giving her a quick
searching look.
. rs there any danger that we canno
, get out?" she queried.
II think not. You will trust me en-
tirely; let me be your protector now
she nodded as there came a whisper
ed ''yes'-now and always. Elsie?"
Yes. Paul" she answered; and lift
ing her gently, he bore her down tn
stairway.
had heard all. and knew then VIII
she had not loved me.
They are married now, and IL ar
still her friend"
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