Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-10-08

you should chill one heart without
deliberately breaking another? She
is of such disposition that when she
discovered-as she undoubtedly would
some day-that you had more regard
for her wealth than for herself, it
would kill her. I entreat you, con-
slider. For myself, care not; I can
bear the revelation. But Mary-no,
she shall not be thus deceived. Oh,
consider y
There was great deal of consider
alton in Frank Vaughan's nature.
He was full of it. But, unfortunate
ly, it was all for himself. He did con-
slider Mary, truly, but not in the
manner enjoined by the noble girl he
had deceived. He considered his
cousin a heaven.sent blessing. She
was good match. With plenty of
money in her own right from her de-
ceased mother, and an heiress to her
fathers great accumulations, she was
Just the wife for him. True, she was
trife slow, but then that would not
matter. She could follow the bent Of
her own inclinations, and with her
money, he could do the same. On
the whole, Edith had taken things
very calmly. All she was sensible.
1t would have done no good to create
any fuss, as he had told her. He had
certainly expected her to shed tear,
because he had thought she had given
her heart to him. But then, women 5
hearts are very flexible things. In
fact, women themselves are. Ofcourse,
they don't feel things like men do
Those who write so glibly about bro
ken hearts don't understand the sex.
He did. OF course, women may feel
touch of disappointed pride when
their lover discards them but pain,
oh it's impossible. ridiculous
That was the cynical way in which
Frank Vaughan's reasoning worked.
Not another thought of Edith. He
had got out of a very difficult and
delicate affair somewhat easily. So
far, so good. No one was aware that
there had been anything between
them. So much the better. Edith
was not the one to proclaim their
Irritation from the housetops. And
now? Well, now for Mary, of course.
Things seemed to go very smoothly
with Mary. Frank found her even
more susceptible than he had imag-
iDed. All, not much difficulty here.
How pleased she was with his atten-
tions How she fingered over the
pleasant, artiul phrases he whispered
to her day by day. How impression
able she was She would be ripe for
a proposal in no time.
And Edith Poor girl, as the
weeks went by she noted the effect
this man was producing in his cousin.
If love was not already full grown in
Mary, it was in embryo. What should
she do2 Edith boldly related all that
had passed between herself and Frank,
and detailed that final, cruel conver-
sation word for word, and Mary lis
tened with pity. She put her arms
around Edith's neck and kissed her
in gratitude and sympathy. Two
DAYS afterward che and Frank were
alone in the grounds. Seated in al
most the same spot as Edith and he
had stood in when his chill words had
frozen her heart, Frank took Mary E
hand in his, and, bending over her,
told her of his love, and asked her to
become his wife. He was surprised
startled, at her answer.
Love I" she exclaimed, with q
light laugh. What is love? non
sensical caprice, born tOday-desd
tomorrow. :"
"But not such love as mine, Mary,
said he. "Do you not love me ?"
Love you Well, perhaps l die
once, but-well, one cant live OIL
sentiment, you know. Besides, you
know, Frank, you-you are only
briefess lawyer, penniless, and IL
debt, while am an heiress, and soci
ETY. expects great things from me.
Surely he had a recollection o.
some such words as these Wher'
had he heard them2 Where? Great
heavens These were the very words
he had uttered to Edith.
"But, Mary" he continued, "say
that you love me. Say that you vii
be my wife. Once married to you
my darling, my life shall be"
Married I" she exclaimed. "Ob
Frank, you must see how absurd tb'
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