The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-06-02

Rbeth, the message of a gentle, woman
ly heart to one who by chance had
usurped her throne.
Tell her" Elizabeth Martin said
tell her that as | loved you. Ned. so
shall l love her if she adds happiness
TO your life" The tender nobility of
this message broke our restraint. An
hour afterward, when the sobs were
very faint and all so quiet that the
beating of our hearts were audible, a
rustic of her gown, and Isabel passed
to an open window. Without, all was
clothed in moonlight, in peace and
mysterious beauty. Then, as if hav-
ing drawn inspiration from the clear
eyed stars, my Isabel turned and said
Il would have despised you. Ned
and there was no reproach in her voice
IF you had concealed these things
from me- Ned, IL love her. too
and-and | want you to marry Eliza
beth Martin because - well. because
she can help you more than |. It's
hard TO give you up, Ned, but it seems
best for-the three of us. AS long as
life lasts, Ned, shall be true to you,
because to me there has been a spirit
ual union too sacred to permit my
thinking of any one else as my bus
band. Good night and goodby, Ned"
Before | could recover from my sur
prise and demonstrate Isabel lightly
touched her lips to my unhappy head,
and | was alone.
But one feels different the next morn
ing. Here comes the postman-a let
ter from Elizabeth. written the morn
ing | left Lakewood. Such a strange
letter! I'll let you read it. though you don't
deserve the privilege. l want you to ele-
vate your opinions of women in their rela-
lions:
Dearest Ned-It was good of you to
come and see me and to tell me of your
approaching marriage. How happy you
are and how blessed she must feel. l
am glad, Ned-nO. sorry-you could not
read the pain in my eyes when we
talked so earnestly in the shadow. Ned,
each word you uttered tore my heart
like jagged, rusty knives. But when
your voice quavered or the words came
haltingly to your lips 1 was-wckedly
happy. Yet how l admired you-and
hated you-because you could tell me
life at its very core. And when you took
no advantage mean wouldn't take me
when l would have given my hope of
heaven for one more kiss like that first
kiss, Ned. Oh. what am 1 doing to write
this to you!
But perhaps It's best. 1t may save
you from falling again and keep you
clear of the pIatonic rut l forgive all
your sins against me but this one. Ned,
when you were at Nashville 1 knew you
came because you loved me. and you
must have known my heart stood timidly.
yet expectantly, at your door. Why did
you talk so foollshly of empty friendship?
AS though a woman wants friendship
from the man for whose heel she would
make cushion of her heart! Had you
asked me to be your wife then and there
l would have robbed heaven and bartered
my soul for that existence. But you
prated of soul friendship. like a cheap
sop, a dry bone for a starving dog
You spoke Of our different stations In
life as though 1t made a moments differ
ence. With your own hands you built
barrier Of my wealth and your own COM
mon means. Ia woman so much bar
ter? Is it the price obtained that animates
her to face the greatest sacrifice in life?
Is her body so many yards of cloth, a
handful of Jewels houses and laNds or