Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-09-22
TRUE LOVE.

4Nlarfc Leigh bore MS late lIhe u MA
when he learned FROM the lips Of Auror
Stanley that she was the promised wifi
OF another. Aurora's betrothed husban'
was expected from Europe, and the prep
arations for the wedding had already be
gun. But one morning the thunderbol
fell.
Her father had speculated heavily an
lost. Hoping to retrieve his losses, n
had become an embezzler and a forger
and his sin had found him out.
The dainty, spoiled child Of luxury wa
forsaken by her butterfly friends an
sneered down az the beggared daughte
OF fleeing criminal
II am so glad Charles is rich" SIN
thought And for the first time since sh'
knew him she thought of him with some
thing like affection and yearned for hi
coming. The steamer came in Thu
morning, and in few hours more he viii
be here to comfort me-"
But before he came she had anothel
guest.
Looking from a window of the granC
mansion that in another week would b.
her home no longer, she saw Alari'
Leigh coming up the marble steps.
'Miss Stanley" he began grayely, -
have come on a most disagreeable errand
| ana commissioned to inform you tha
your unhappy father has returned to tn,
city and means to give himself up to jus
tee
"He must notw she gasped.
"IIe has no means to do otherwise,
answered the young man gravely "Ht
sent me to tell you that il you could dis
pose of your diamonds he might by thu
proceeds not only reach Europe in safety
but also establish some sort of business
there by which he might some time re
gain nm honorable name and place among
his fellow men"
Here they are" she said hurriedly
placing a heavy casket in his hands
"Oh, Alaric 20 quickly, and tell him i
he loves his suffering daughter to never
give himself up TO a felon's punishment"
In her trouble she never thought to in
quire how Alaric Leigh had become the
confidant of her disgraced parent.
As she spoke the bell rang loudly.
1T is Charley" she said gladly.
cone word more Aurora, before | go,
said Alaric. IF you ever feel that yot
need my friendship, do not hesitate t.
send for me-
The girl did not hear him. She only
seemed to hear the firm, light footsteps
on the threshold OF the paror door, anC
Alaric, passing out of a door opposite
looked back for second and saw hel
spring into the embrace of Charles Buck
ingham.
"Oh, Charley, l am so glad you have
come. ] am in such trouble" said Au
rora. clinging to his arm as She drew hin
to a seat.
Indeed, my little goddess" drawled
the exquisite. "What sort of trouble|
"Oh, Charley, have you not heard OF
our terrible misfortuneY she asked. II
thought the whole city would babble il
to You before you saw me"
IL have heard nothing" he returned,
growing anxious.
And so she told him all, never needing
rs she talked on with feverish rapidly
that the face of the man who had plight
ed to her eternal love and constaney was
assuming smile of lofty and naughty
indifference.
'And so the wedding can't be-" he OBJ
served in tone that cut through hei
heart like thrust of frosty steel. rs
that what you want TO suggest. Miss
Stanley? Wen, you are quite right. Most
girls under such circumstances woulc
have held a poor fellow to his contract
But you are as wise as you are unselfish
and | honor you for it, Rory-pon my
soul do"
Aurora sprang to her feet, amazed and
indignant at this unparalleled act of by
pocrisy and his offensive familiarity.
4 CHI
cried and, tearing the betrothal ring
from her finger, she flung it at his feet
Go, and leave me alone! In all the
world | have not friend-not one"
In all the world | have not a friend
not one" was the burden of Aurora's sor
row for many a weary day.
One day Aunt Hetty, in her faded
brown silk and ancient bonnet, came fol
the unhappy girl
you must go home with me, Rory. Il
is a poor sort of place for fine lady, but
it is better than nothing, grille"
So Aurora went. and when the sum
mer came again Alaric Leigh came Will
IT, If &c still loved Aurora, he never
betrayed the fact by any sign whatever
aa perhaps thar was why with the in
cons istrucy Of sirlhood. she began t,
tlink him a paragon among men. Blu
he did love her still and after a long
long time he told her so,
AN affection like mine. Aurora he
said, in his grave. straightforward way
never changes. can give YOU a com
Portable home. and if you will be my wifi
1 shall be the happicst of husbands
II can't marry you for n home.' sh'
answered, and a tender quayer in he
voice made his heart beat faster.
Marry me for love, then, dear" h
observed audaciously.
"Oh, blind Alaric! l have loved yor
always"
And that was the truth.
What a quiet little wedding it was
No satin and lace and orange blossoms
only a slim. beautiful form. robed, lill
the simplest village maid. in plain whit
muslin and crowned with white rose
buds Exchange.
Laid Good Foundation.