Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-09-06
THE NEW TENANT.
Br COUSIN I'VE.

serves on having quite an dflStocfdtic iJJdS
neighborhood, ana as there were only one
or two rented houses, 8e always ielt anxious
about a new arrival.
The new tenants were to arrive on Mon
day, and wnen ne young IoiKs gatneIeo at
our usual choir practice, tae matter was
fully discussed. Pninp hing, the rising Nj.
d., gave as MS oplni0n tAat tAey would
be two old maids, .lta number OF birds
and cats. GellIe Dlaek, VITA merry TWIN
kle IN her rognisA eyes, saia;
Don't you wish, Neil, il may be rich
widow, with two or three handsome sons.
WHAT an addition they would be " our
circle!"
/. What need care II it were so-hadn't
| Philip Perhaps cooked TINS, Tor they ali
Laughed, although 4 Aaa not SPOKEN word
IN reply.
On Monday the furniture arrived, and
toward evening d carriage containing Two
ladies. Inc mousse Was speeuAy put ia order,
and in a weeks time the excitement nad
somewhat subsided, although no one had
as yet seen the new tenant. On Saturday
our minister called al tae cottage, and on
Sunday a strange lady sat "a eie minis
tiers pew--a lacy '1roin the crown u ner
head to the tips OF ner calHty boots lou
needed only 10 glance at her To see tals.
How beautiful sue was. /, woman, was
ready TO acknowledge It at hrst sigat. Her
name was Mrs. Lee, tue minister daugh-
ter Informed us--Just the name Wa1cn suited
this lovely widow About ~, should Judge
as | studied Ser sitting N cnutc1 tals CAB
bath morning. Sucn glofious uafk blue
eyes, delicate White skin, Win Jest tAe
taintesl pink on either caeek, terminating one
OF the heart OF smell; mouth ana cain
faultless; rather snlal and slender, the
turn OF ner mead Was pef4ectlon Itself.
| mad just arrived al this conclusion as the
benedlction was pronounced, ana awoke as
from delicious GIeam. W nat was this love
~ young widow 10 me, taat 1 saoulu make
study OF her!
Mamma and | called, and learned during
our visit that Mrs. Lee nad sought our
quiet village Tor caange OF air we were
introduced to her aunt, an elderly LADY,
VINO took charge OF tne Little household,
leaving her niece to perfect quiet ana rest,
as prescribed.
Mrs. Lee inquired the name OF our pny-
siclan, and was told DIR. Palllp Ring lmy
PniIip, as they all called himl. Way did
| wish ne had not been named, and that
mamma mad recommended old Or. Foster!
and, above all, why was 1 so strangely drawn
toward Mrs Lee.
AT parting she pressed me TO call fire.
quentIy. she loved young folks, she said,
and how often did / find myself running
over during the summer that followed.
A few days after my first call, was sur
prised to see Pniiip open tae little gate
that led to the cottage, and, alter ringing
the door bell, be insanity admitted. Later
in the day he tolu me Mrs. I~@e was very i'll,
not dangerously 50, but S..n one OF her
old attacks.
is she not lovely?" / asked.
More than lovely," he answered. Sac
has engaged me professionally autlng aei
stay III tae village.
Need | tell you wAat followed-oi Philips
love ior this beautiful woman-yes, WON
an ten years olaer tnan himself; OF ms
mad worship, MS utter neglect Of old lnends
From this time ne was her constant compan-
ion In drives ana walks, wnlcn were ire
quent All his hopes in lie seemed CEN
tered III tue new tenant; and yet could
not blame MIN, for / soon learned to love
her, too. | saw tAat people walched, and
saw they pitied me; yet l was strangely
Indifferent WHAT 1 lett IN secret none
SHOULD ever know.
And so the summer passed, and Septem-
Der approached. She would leave Us IN
November. W lat mad the summer brought
to me! A name4ess palma JOY and sorrow
blended.
Tonight, however, had promised to take
tea at the cottage During the evening sne
played, and we sang Jew duets. W nat
rcn, clear voice sne had; now well our
voices blended (my own being fine con
tralto) as we sang:
Gently, gently signs the breeze,
Like a whisper through the trees,
Like the song OF seraphs bright,
Breathing TO the word gooo-night, good
nightw
Nov, TOR coy chat, she said, rising
from tine piano. she told me OF the two
lovely boys laid away in the caurcnyard,
OF her beloved husband, loved 50 dearly
mouIned so deeply, laid to rest by then
side five years ago, OF the disease winch
might at any moment call her to JOIN them
in the spirit land, of the happy summer
lust passed, watch my friendship had glad
dened | felt at this moment would nave
been willing To make any sacrifice to nave
kept her with us. Philip came IN during
the evening At half-past ten arose to say
good night
She followed US to the door. Turning inn
pulsively | threw my arms around her, and
kissed her | had never done 50 before.
WHAT prompted me to do so now? She re-
turned my embrace, exclaiming warmly;
God bless you, darling
Turning abruptly to Philip, she said:
Take good care Of Nellie; she is treas
IRE Goodnight"
was surprised next morning by an early
visit from Philip. He told me tnat Mrs Lee
cas- dead; he had been sent for toward
morning, to find her dying
We stood together, and gazed on the be
loved dead--lovelier even in death tnan in
life. A perfect white full-blown rose mes,
tied in her bosom | had no need to ask
whose hand had placed it there. My own
floral gilt | placed within her perfect hand.
On her dressing table lay note directed
TO me; when opened it contained a draft
Tor $1,000, with her best love They laid
aer 10 rest by the side OF her loved ones,
and long before the first Of November the