Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-06-02

Quialte wnlte Satin gown on me
spare bed.
1t was Grace Avery's wedding dress,
aud worthy of the fair bride who would
wear it. For weeks Ramona had work
I'd with skillful fingers. 1t had been Il
labor of love as we'll as necessity, for
Ramona was fond of Grace.
Ramona leaned back IN the old fash
Toned rocker and closed her eyes. She
was very weary; she would rest few
minutes. The clock licked solemnly.
the bright wood fire. formed strange
pictures. The house was small and
neat. 1t was the house she was born
in, where her parents had died.
Fifteen years before. Ramona had
been beautiful girl, the belle of the
village. Roger Graham, Il handsome
Young farmer asked her to marry him.
The wedding day was set. and the
bridal gown, of rich white satin. so like
Grace Avery's, was ready for Ramona
70 try on.
She stood before the Ol,lfashiOned
pier glass in her girlsh beauty, Roger
gazing admiringly at her. Suddenly
there was Il terrible scream, II heavy
fall, and Ramona, pale and frightened.
FASTENED to the parlor. to find her faith
er lying senseless. struck with paraly
sis, and her mother faint with terror.
Roger assisted her father to the couch
and went for the doctor, who shook his
head gravely.
He may linger long time" he said
land will need care
Mrs. Grey, a weak, nervous woman
beSCUgnt. Ramona to defer her mar
riage, and she did SO. For ten years she
was Il ministering angel to both par
ents. and then they died. leaving her
alone. Roger at first objected to the
postponement of the union but five
years had passed since Ramona was
free, and he never mentioned marriage.
though he called nearly every night.
The door opened softly and Grace
Avery entered. She had come to try
on her wedding dress. 1t proved to be
perfect; no alteration was necessary
Ramona's attention to every trhe al
ways secured success. Grace FASTENED
away. conterted and happy, and RAJ
mona sat down again by the fire. She
was hungry. but she could not eat. a
vague intuition of some important
crisis held her as by spell.
Presently Roger walked in. and took
his accustomed place by the hearth. He
had grown stout and forid with the
passing years, while Ramona was slen-
der and pale.
$50 Grace Avery is to be married"
he said. How rapidly young people
grow up She was wee little girl
when you and were engaged. RIA
mona. 1t makes a fellow feel old. It's
about time | was married myself
RamOna's heart thrilled with joy. Il
soft flush stole into her pale cheeks.
Her dark eyes glowed like stars.
g. am Il rich man; there is no use in
my waiting any longer" Roger sat
back in his chair, calm, portly smiling
It's too bad, Ramona, that we let any
thing put Off our marriage years ago
Now it's too late
Ramona's heart beat violently a
strange foreboding made her speech
less.
Il never thought you did quite right
to give me up for your folks. You
worked yourself almost to death fol
them, and now are ailing and delicate,
not the sort of wife man of my ag,
needs. You see that for yourself
don't you, Ramona:"
Il Il
riage:" she asked
because I-wcll. there's no use il
beating about the bush-I'm thinkinl
of marrying Bessie Sherwood She.
only eighteen, young and childish bu
she'll soon learn housekeeping. and SHE
is as pretty as IA peach"
80 this is the end of my loyalty t,
you, Roger Graham!' said Ramona
standing, tall and dignitied, before him
There's no use in making fuss.
said Roger. uneasily. Il hate scenes
You couldn't expect | would marry 20,
after all these years. You are a clever
smart woman but you have ceriainl,
faded out
Yes, | have changed" said Ramona
bitterly. Toll is not conducive to ros,
cheeks or bright eyes
Il can't help that" said Roger. II
was not for me you worked. | woul,
have given you IA good home and beer
a loving husband; but you put me asid
and learned to do without you"
'Enough"' cried Ramona. II did m
duty. l see now that the man love,
never existed save in my Imagination
Here is your ring: let this end ALL
You won't mention our little affai
to Bess:" he shamefacedly asked.
You can rest assured of that" sal
Ramona. proudly. 1T is humiliatin
to me to recall that | ever fancied
could marry you"
After that the days passed drearil!
Bessie Sherwood was married to Roge
Graham. and moved into the big whit
mansion. She was surrounded by eN
cry luxury, while Ramont toled o