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

reached Helens ears, and the poor
girl was thrown into a state of mind
that could be endured no longer.
"Ohp she sighed as il protesting
to herself. "Dick-and that Mrs. Rob-
iIson--oh!-it cannot be true! And
yet have felt that he was changing
toward me. He has not been here for
three days Oh, what shall do?
will not believe it! | will mott / will
60 and call on Mrs. Robinson this very
day, so that--.that people won't think
l am jealous. Dick, how could your
Bitter tears filed her eyes, but she
wiped them away determinedly. Slow
~ she rose and went TO her room, and
there dressed herself with care, as wo-
men always dress for the benefit or
their rivals. She was tall and stately,
with cloud of rudy hair and bril-
liant gray eyes, softened by long dark
lashes. When she gazed at herself in
the mirror she was well satisfied that
her severe tailor gown showed her
beauty to good advantage.
In ten minutes she sat in Mrs. Robin
sons little French drawing room, and
in a few minutes the owner of it was
welcoming her vivaeiously.
Mrs. Robinson was small, dark and
very chic. Helen's heart sank as she
looked at her rival. The little widow,
taking no notice, apparently, of her
visitors ther stiff manner, was chat
ting aw making commonplace re-
marks re iring no answers.
Il am to tell you what love-
~ gown you have IN" she said. do
YOU know, when l v AS a girl at school,
we had lady principal. a tall, stately
creature, who had evidently had little
social advantages one day, as she
was giving n group of us some points
on etiquette, as she called them, she
said that there were three DIS never
mentioned in polite society We all
waited, really expecting her, l think,
to begin with the devil: but no, dis
ease dress and domestics constituted
her list. You know how schoolgirls
give nicknames: we christened her
Polite Society then and there. The
memory of that absurd little incident
clings to me yet, and whenever / am
tempted to comment on some lovely
gown / always feel a sense of guilt"
She laughed and went on: "You are
so tall. Miss Easton you put me at
great disadvantage. and | really think
that's the most cruel thing one woman
can do to another.
"No, Mrs Robinson" she said. her
voice vibrating with emotion and her
hands gripping the arms of her chair.
THAT is not the most cruel thing one
woman can do to another. When
woman, BEAUTIFUL and young, knows
that another woman loves a man, and
that he is pledged TO her. and she still
tries to lead this man away from the
one who loves him-truly, that is the
most cruel thing" Her voice broke,
but she went on: "And-and-tha
poor creature who sees her lover taken
from her-can you imagine her misery,
her powerless miseryi That broken
heart will lie at the door of the-the
other woman"
Her words were mere whisper and
her gray eyes were trimming with
tears. She rose unSteadily. The little
widows YES We're Missy too, and her
tone wa lso low.
But member. Miss Easton, in
! fatuation is not love"
For moment they stood in silence.
Then Helen said
Il must go"
"Nait moment" said Mrs. Robin.
son. She went over TO the piano and
took from a vase great cluster of
Merinet roses. saying with emotions:
| "rhese should be yours. Let me give
| them to YOU"
They fell into each others tender en-
! brace. and then parted, each too much
| overcome TO trust herself to speak.
| The little widow stood at the win.
dow and watched Helen go down the
4 street
Il told the TRUTH" she said to her
self 1t is only infatuation-with
| him. But with me-Alasl am ex-
/ perienced and know what love is.
am happy only in the thought that
do not believe that he loves me-
/ Snnhin Catas L nrsr in -rinnN- LLnrnld