The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-11-02
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ELIZABETH
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: CHAPTER xxIv-(Continued.)

CHAPTER xXIv-(Continued.)
INT. Austin has left us. has he?"
said Mrs. Martin, bitterly. would he
had died before I ever saw him! He
has brought blight and desolation into
my life. But, come, Bertha, rouse
yourself. Shake off this hopeless, use
less infatuation. What IL he has gone?
There are "a thousand nobler and finer
men in the world. What nonsense.
child! Has the sun gone out of the
heavens because one silly young man
has failed to return the affection of a
certain silly young lady-who Is, not
withstanding, a thousand times too
good for him?"y
Its no use, mamma, dear! You are
kind-you are good. But he's all the
world to me, and I can never look upon
his like again. 1t will kill me, that's
all; but you mustn't be angry with
me, because you see I can't help It,"
Mrs. Martin stamped her foot with
fmpatience. She could have taken to
her arms and caressed and comforted
the girl for owe n pity; but h
feared to encourage folly by such a
course. She could have shaken and
reproached Bertha for the helpless
weakness that made the girl ready to
give up existence without a struggle,
for the sake of a ran who never spent
one thought on her, and never would.
The troubled mother was torn with
anxiety, impatience, love and pity; yet
she knew not what course to take with
Bertha, or what words were best to
say. With a groan of despair, h
sank down beside the girl. n hel
heart ached for the haggard. worn
young face-the dearest face to her in
all the world.
"When did he go?" she asked, her
voice harsh and stern with suppressed
emotion.
"About an hour ago, mamma; u ne
evil return to thank you for all your
Kindness. 1t is only that I shall not
see him any more. I couldn't bear 1t,
and I do not wish it; for, after hearing
from his own lips how he loves-oh,
'heaven-adores Is more near the mark
how he worships Clarice, 1 can never
see him again. 1t is all the same as IL
she were already his wife, since she
loves him, too; and I dare not see him
again, to feel myself in love With an
other woman's husband. Oh, 1 snail
die of the shame! But I did not realize
It until I heard him speak of Clarice."
"And yet she refused to see him
when he called there yesterday" Mrs.
Martin burst out. s
Eyes; but there must have beer
some one who forced her to do so; m
Shirley-Mr. Austin, I mean-thinks ne
understands it all now. Some one mas
been silly enough to suspect him OF
Uncle Philips death-so awful, n yet
foolish, hat any one should nave
such an idea!-and he Is now going to
find the real criminal, and so prlns
himself again to Clarice-oh. me! l
cannot speak of it any more!"
But why has he told all this to
.you?"
ooh. I suppose instinct told
him that I would sympathize with him
in any trouble. He said 1t all IN a sort
accidental way, when he was biddlng
me goodbye. He must have seen that
I was agitated; for, indeed, I couldn't
conce that; tut he didn't suspect the
cause. He began by saying that he felt
good and kind and gentle I was. l
thought-but what matter about my
foolish thought? It was all wrong.
Then he added that he would always
feel toward me as if he had in me the
kindest and best sister in h world.
Ard. somehow, from that, he began
talking just as If he were thinking
aloud, and before I could stop him ne
had told me his entire story, from the
time he fell in love with Clarice Till
now. 1t was a sad story, and l wept
for him, too, though it almost killed me
to hear him say 10 he loved another
woman"
II think him a conceited fool-a vain.
Dragging coxcomb!" Mrs. Martin said,
bitterly, land as heartless ELS he is
vain!"
mo. mamma, mol won't hear one
q ford against him!" Bertha protested.
SLOW could he know how it panied me
to listen? But I love him the more
when 1 see how true, how noble and
constant a lover he can be-"
Mrs. Martin stamped her foot with
angry impatience.
LET me hear no more of him, nor OF
this folly" she said. where Is Let
ty?"
..LAtty went out a short time after
you, mamma" Bertha answered. TAX
dng a letter from her pocket. "She left
this for you, and she kissed me many
times and cried over me. Dear Lefty,
I think she pities me, for she is 80 hap
ny herself"
Mrs. Martin tore open the letter and
kiarced rapidly at it's contents. She
uttered d sharp cry and fell back, gasp
ing and choking. &
s.she has left us-u away!" she said,
almost inaudibly. There, read for
yourself. Oh, God. my punishment -
hard! l have only striven and,
=schemed for my children; I have done
great wrong!"
Bertha took the letter, terrified. Her,
-mother's4words seemed to her like the
.raying ofsdcliriym. With an effort che
composed herself, and tried to find out
the cause by reading her sisters letter.
Letty5was brief and tosthe point. She
wasted no words.
..Dear mamma she wrote. = havs
to my husband. That word will
surprise you; but read the copy Of my
marriage certificate, which ! enclose,
ana then you will understand me bet
ter We win come to; you forsyour for
Eivcness and blessing soon; meantime.
do not be angry with your little girl be-
cause she 0beys another thanfyo now
ONE to whom she has vowed q whole
lifesa obedience The q of our seF-
lcrecy III good one. and will be4satis-
rfactoriIysS explained when we come TO
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