The Western news., 1901-11-06
sTELLA's SUMMER TRIP.


= AM sick and tired of this lifei Il
| would rather die now than endure
it year after year, without hope
Of releaser' Stella Monito threw her
crochet work to the other side Of the
small room. III could go to the sen
side like other girls. l might make a
suitable match-one that would save
me from the bondage Of poverty"
Meta sadly looked up from her
lounge.
You have much to be thankful for.
dear Stella" she said softly. Your
health-a beautiful face"
what is the good of my beauty?
Whom do see now? No one but DIR.
James, and he is old and stout, and
knows our poverty too well to think Of
me-"
At this juncture Mrs. Monito, quiet,
ladylike woman. entered the room and
looked from one to the other Of her
daughters.
what Is the trouble?" she asked.
Mamma, Stella is tired, and wants
to go to the seaside" Netta said softly.
"Poor Stella is weary Of this life. and
think had better give her Uncle
Locrime's gift, and then she can have
her way"
"Netta!'' exclaimed the astonished
mother.
"Yes; my money increases very slow
ly, and perhaps, after all, may not get
better"
At the girls last birthdays. their
mcther's brother had given each a hum
dred dollars. Stella had bought some
handsome finery with her money. but
Meta, who had been for years crippled
by fall, laid hers aside, hoping to save
enough to take her to some celebrated
physician. Ruoyed up with that hope.
she had painted little pictures for the
stores. and saved each dollar carefully; !;
but Stella's constant repining was
wearing. and she determined to give up
her hope and let her have her long
looked for trip.
do you really mean it, Meta Or Stel-
Ia questioned eagerly.
YES"
"Then I will tell you what I'll do,
you dearest Of sisters! shall be sure
10 make conquest, and when am
married l will take you to France, to
the physician you wish to see."
At that moment some one tapped at
the door. and a moment later DR.
James. a tall, rather stout man OF
about forty-five years of age, with q
grave. kind face, entered.
Two weeks later Stella Monito was
boarding in an aristocratic resort. Time
went by, and her letters home were
not very frequent. Finally one morning
the postman brought one that raI
thus:
"My Dear Mother and Sister-I an
nboutsto be married. and bid adieu tt
life Of poverty forever. Mr.. Leland
my future, husband, is immensely
wealthy. He owns magnificent resi-
dence in the city. and one on the Hud
son. But there is one thing which
kam sorry to mention-he does not wisl
. me to acknowledge my relatives afte
marriage. OF course. shall not forge
you. mother and Meta. and shall re:uyl
I the money which brought me here a
the earliest opportunity. My face ha
) been my fortune. STELLA"
: Mrs. Monito covered her face wit
: her hands.
"My child has forsaken me" sh
J cried. =
: Meta could hardly utter a word Q
consolation. What. was there to. say
She knew her sister worshiped at tn
shrine of wealth, and cared not no,
. many hearts she broke If she onl
: reached her longed-for goal.
A few weeks later, DR.. James mad
them visit which was not strictly PR
fessiOnal.
"Netta." he said. sitting down besid
her, "your sisters summer trip has wo
her husband. read the marriage n,
tice in the paper yesterday, Now.
have favor to ask of you. am tire
Of being alone In the world; want
wife to take care of. and there is no on
else who would please me but you.
gave loved you ever since you WEI
that high"-with motion Of his hand
land IL you win have me. will tab
you to France to the physician 70
have set your heart on seeing. II the
cure you shall rejoice; II they do no
l shall love you all the more"
Meta looked up in his kind eyes
surprise Ibis words were 20 unexpec
: ed.
: mo. noy' she cried. Il win not tai
: advantage Of your generous offer.
will never be burden to any manv'
And Ill the arguments he could III
would not induce her 70 change b