El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-03-06
LOVES VIGISSITUDES.

for the next three weeks, for after that
1 shall have to settle down into nice,
respectable matron,' and the speaker
drew down her pretty mouth in mock
sOlemnty.
'sThat doesn't sound as if it were
pleasure BILE anticipation observed her
companion.
There Alvin, what makes you take
everything so seriously? OF course, L
didn't mean it in that way" exclaimed
Edna half impatently.
They had been engaged for some time,
and the day had been decided upon which
should see them united for life. Edna
Lewis was a bright, vivacious girl, with
mischief lurking in her gray eyes. She
loved excitement, while Alvin Hall was
quiet and rather grave.
MAY / ask" he inquired, what are
the dissipations you are planning for
these three weens z!
''Wel, there's Laura's party and the
moonlight excursion of the club and the
circus is coming next week-you'll take
me to that, won't you, Alvin!"
MY dear Edna, you know my views
on that subject. 1 do not think it a
proper place for lady to visit
Il don't think it's any harm, and I've
set my heart on going.
he said quietly.
'.WelI, I shall Jack Woods offered to
take me, and 1 said of course you would.
II you won't, I'll go with him, that's
ALI" she exclaimed.
every well; if you choose to disregard
my wishes, l cannot prevent 1t. And
with that he babe her goodby.
A week passed. At the party Edna
met Jack Woods.
81 suppose you and Alvin are going to
the circus?" he remarked casually. 60
ing to be a big thing this year"
NO. Alvin isn't going" she replied.
"He does not approve of those things
"Whew! Aren't we good all at once?
1t isn't right, though, for him to spoil
your pleasure
So Edna thought, and when Jack re-
newed his offer of escort to the forbidden
place she accepted it. Somehow, though,
She did not enjoy the performance much,
and as time went on her lovers manner
showed that he had not forgiven her.
Those were unhappy urs~- Eon:! Vs.
too proud to show her regret anu onlY
those nearest her knew that she suffered.
Alvin Hall went west, and reports came
to her that he had married and settled
down. 1t was then that Jack asked her
to be his wife, and she consented though
acknowledging that her heart had been
given TO another. She made him coy
home, however, and soon three little
ones came to bless it,
But one day the change came. Her
husband was brought home insensible,
and the doctor said that paralysis would
prevent him from ever working again
Then Edna faced the problem bravely.
She obtained work a dressmaker and
earned enough to maintain the family
At length her husband died, and she
was alone with her children, the Oldest
of whom, a bright boy of 10, was en-
ployed in store. One day he came
home GREATNESS.
"Mother,' he exclaimed, to-day two
ladies came in, and one was asking
| where she could find good dressmaker.
/ made bold to speak about you, and
she gave me her card and said would you
please call tomorrow"
Il am glad of it, Jack" said his moth
err, "for I am not busy just now"
The next day found her at the resi-
dence of Mrs. Gleason. Her references
being satisfactory, that lady gave her
dress to be finished by the following
Saturday. Edna worked at it early and
late, and at the appointed time she stood
again on the step of that dwelling so
different from her own. a gentleman
answered the bell and invited her inside.
Mrs. Woods, is it not?' he asked.
"N1y sister said that she expected you,
and, as she was called out, she wished
you to await her return"
AS he placed a chair for her she thank
ed him. but something in her manner
made him observe her closely. Her eyes
wandered from portrait in one corner
of the room to the face of the man be-
fore her. The picture was of young
man with dark, serious eyes and a broad
high forehead When Edna saw it, she
started and turned white.
"Are you ill?' encouraged the gentle
man. He approached her. Good heav-
ens!' he cried as it Edna, after all
these years?'
ut is strange that we should meet
again here" she murmured, trying to
calm herself.
Eyes" he answered. "How have you
Jared since I saw you? Is your-hus-
band wellF
MY husband died FIVE years ago. she
said quietly. How are your family"
"They have been taken from me.
am alone, except for my sister,"
They We're silent for little, each oc- |
cupied with many thoughts.
Il have much to ask forgiveness for"
he said. MY heart has not changed
through my long absence. Tell me, can
you forgive my arrogance"
at was my fault, every bit of it, she |
exclaimed. with something OF her own |
impetuosity; but / paid the penalty" |
she added.
''Then say we may begin over again."
he said eagerly. land make bright the |
short time that is left to us here. Will |
you. dear?"
You don't know what you are say
ing" she faltered. There are Jack and |
Elsie and little Alvin''-
And, best of all, there is Ednav' and |
he held her fast.
The door opened at this point, and Mrs