Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-08-22
THOS. j ADAMS PROPRIETOR
SUM M Err.
SHE TRIED TO BE TRUE.
BY EMILY v. WINDSOR.
aeNNANeeNeeeAe~NN~ee

\ hOulu nOL W
Dare did not again see Monica
although ut each visit he had made
his aunt during the spring he called a
the parsonage. But Monica hat
always been out. The minister ant
his wife received him most cordially
They would gladly have seen theil
daughter his wife.
One day In June Monica was return
ing from walk down to the cove. Hel
way was In the neighborhood OF
Aliens mothers. AS it was still early
In the afternoon, she decided to go ant
pay her call. She had not gone to sec
her often of late, through fear of meet
ing Laurence.
She felt that she would run no risk
of meeting him this afternoon, be
having visited his aunt the previous
week. On reaching the house She
found the hall door open. She knocked
lightly and without waiting for re-
sponse walked into the little parlol
where she knew Mrs. Dare was in the
habit of sitting.
But at the threshold Monica paused
for there stood Laurence by the win
dow. an open letter in his hand. His
aunt sat near him, apparently In O
state Of great excitement.
AS she saw Monica she cried out
"He lives. Monica; he lives; my boy
lives; my own Allen is living. Come in
and hear the letter"
Then she fell to weeping, and re-
peating over and over: "My boy is l!v
ing"
Monica looked from her to Dare In
bewilderment. She had turned very
white. Laurence went up to her ani
drew her to chair. He, too. was pale.
SIS it true?" gasped Monica, at
length.
"Yes.' But he did not look at her.
"When?'
81 received the letter this morning,
and came down by the first train. "
"He is well?"
Eyes"
"Where is he? I don't understand"
"In California"
Monica looked ut him confusedly.
"Why-why haven't I-but have
been out all the afternoon. I suppose
that shall find letter at home"
Dare did not reply. His aunt was
still crying. She now looked up at
Laurence.
'sFinish the letter. Laurence.
Listen, Monica; our Allen is still
living"
Dare had folded the letter and was
putting it into his pocket.
There is little more of importance,
dear aunt"
"But Monica must hear it, Laurence.
Monica, dear child, we'll be happy
now. Read the letter for her
Laurence"
"Nly dear aunt, you must try to
calm yourself or you will be i'll"
Monica was puzzled by Dare's evil
dent desire not to read the letter toiler.
She went over to Mrs. Dare and en-
braced her.
Laurence is right; you must try to
be calm, dear Mrs. Dare"
'Joy never kills, child. I must cry
for pure happiness"
81 shall 60 home now" said Monica.
perhaps there is a letter for me-"
"Well, child, but come early to-
morrow. Well count the days till We
see the boy"
Laurence had left thereon and stood
at the entrance door.
81 am coming with you," he said, as
Monica came out.
Dare regarded the girl stealthily as
they walked along. He marveled at
the unimpassioned manner in which
she had received the news Of Aliens
being alive. She was still very white,
and there was a strained look in her
face-not the expression of joy he
would have expected to see. She
walked rapidly, paying no heed to
Dare.
He put his hand gently on her arm.
do not walk so fast, Monica. You
will tire yourself OUT
She did not reply, but went more
slowly.
Monica" began Dare, hesitatingly.
"I-do not think that you will find a
letter from Allen"
She stopped still and looked at him.
"What is it, Laurence? You are
hiding something. What Is the mys-
terry? Why did you not wish to read
the letter.?
"Monica, I believe you are brave
girl. Call up all your pride now."
She gazed at him with wondering
eyes.
Laurence, what is it?"
He looked around hastily. 1t was
but short distance to the rocks at the
cove and the place was deserted.
LET us 20 down there. l cannot
talk to you here"
She followed him submissively
Thoughts of their last interview at
this place came to her mind. How
miserable she had been then, and how
miserable now. Allen was alive, and
she, wretched girl, was not glad. She
did not love him. 1t was Laurence
that she loved, but she must be faith
| full to Allen. Laurence must never
guess what wicked girl she was
Allen alive, and she not glad, and
what was Laurence going to tell her;
Dare seated her in sheltered
position and stood looking Mt her, &
world Of compassion in his eyes.
Monica, would give my life tc
spare you this. Allen is a scoundrel.'
He drew the letter from his pocket
opening 1t slowly.
"what is it, Laurence? Why do you
speak so?"
Then, as he did not answer, she
said with q touch of imperiousness ir