Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-01-28
HER PROFESSION.

Ofu JODdS E1dludW6s WdS a bidA Va
many ups and downs. At least four
times In his life he had been hailed
as the cotton king and as many times
he had gone broke in his manipula-
tons of that staple Of commerce.
To most people it seemed cruel
irony of fate that he should have died
before he had an opportunity to get
on his feet again after the terrible
slump In the market which marked
the failure Of his last great attempt
to corner cotton.
To me 1t seemed
But then old Hathaway and / had
never been on friendly terms, and
certain 1t Ia that never could have
summoned enough courage to propose
for the hand Of q supposedly great
heiress.
Because l loved her 30 much
knew that 1t was better for me not
to ask for her love until little time
should pass after her bereavement
It was, finally, in response TO .
note from her that called. The re-
ception she gave me was cordial, but
certainly NO more cordial than she
might have given TO any other friend
of long standing.
Il have sent for you to ask your
advice" she said. will you give 1t
to me?"
Surely. in anything" answered.
II am going away"
"Why?" I demanded. why, when
and where?"
TT must be soon; rye realized 1t
ever since my fathers DEATH" she
said, with a brave effort at compos-
ure. II am poor-I think you know
that--and must find a way TO support
myself I have thought that perhaps
/ could be most useful as a nurse,
and that you could tell me where the
best training schools are?"
Don't dream of taking up such a
profession. You were not put into
this world to lead such an existence
dreary round of drudgery, rewarded
poorly In money and even less In
gratitude"
please don't discourage me-" she
said almost entreatingly. Il want 10
do some good in life as well as to
carr my living, and the way | have
chosen seems to me the best"
agnes, | have loved you all your
life. II you want to make your life
useful marry me. I'm not exactly an
invalid. 1t Is true, but need you
more than any invalid can possibly
need a nurse. With you l shall pc
happy enough to incur the envy OF
the gods. With you, /" :.
you are very kind. John, Due--
Her voice was quite firm.
"Please forget what you have said.
Relieve me. I thank you very sincere
" for the compliment you have paid
me. but 1t will be better for US Dotn
to forget that you ever asked me 10
marry you"
"But I don't want to forget 1t, Ag.
mes. Can't you give me any hopper
The answer was spoken In very
low voice. but 1t was too distinct to
he mistaken. And the answer was:
mol"
So I turned to go from the room,
Int as turned It seemed to me that
minus the love of this woman life
would be worth nothing In its living.
could not go.
"All of my life l have loved you,
Agnes. and l should have long ago
asked you to marry me, but your
money stood in the way. Had | asked
you to marry me year ago, all the
world would have called me fortune
hunter, and perhaps even you might
have thought me so. Do you know
that was actually glad when | heard
the news that your father had left
you nothing?"
"Was that generous?" she asked.
mo. 1t was supremely selfish with
the cruel selfishness of love. l have
told YOU the truth as a dying man
might tell the truth. The dying man
! has nothlp TO hope nor fear from
the world le is leaving. You are my
world, and | have nothing either to
hope nor fear from you. Think OF
me what you Will, but you must know
that | have loved you and always will
love you"
81 am very glad you have told me
all this" the girl said softly with
averted head. 81 had thought"
"Well?" l queried almost savagely
'That you were asking me out OF
| pity for my poverty"
THAT idea is absurd" declared
shortly.
so are you" said she demurely.
80 am what?" asked, bewilder
ed.
Absurd"
And looking down into two deer
blue eyes which looked love back al
me, knew that l was very absurd tc
be wasting time in this way, since Ag
mes had so clearly indicated that the
profession of her choice was-matri
| mony.--Boston Globe.
Marriage Prospects In England.
"Englands army of younger sons
should be grateful to the American