The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-11

ly for this proof Of your devotion, my
beautiful Gladys"
1t was in late spring.tme, as Gladys
sharps and Grant Richardson were
lettering in the flower garden beneath
a blue and sunny sky. while West
virginia's rugged hills STRETCHED
away in green beauty, as far as the
eye could reach. He called her his
beautiful morning glory. this lover
and who could wonder; for she was
as fresh and fair as the morning,
with her pink and white complexion
Eyes of pure violet blue, in curling
fringes of golden brown; and her
broad white brow beneath its silky
golden hair. was as fair as that of a
little child's.
Grant Richardson worshipped her
and was the lucliest and happiest
lover in the world. because he had
won her promise to be his, when he
should have cosy home ready for
his beautiful bride.
l
They had been talking seriously to.
gether for half haur, and Grant
took his sweetheart in his arms. and
kissed her very fondly, as he muir.
INJURED: 81 shall love you all the more
dearly for this proof Of your devotion,
my beautiful Gladys" Then he went
away, and Gladys ran in to tell tho
news.
"My wedding is postponed, nam
ma" said Gladys. Grant wants ME
to wait for him three years"
"But, my dear child, postponed
wedding brings i'll luck; and for
three years! Why! What can he be
thinking about? You do not mean IT
Gladys. do you?"
Eyes. indeed, mamma. Grant is not
rich. you know; and he is too proud
to live on my money, and his present
salary is too small for us to marry
on for quite awhile. So distant rel,
alive has offered him a splendid po.
sition In the Texas oil fieid,' which
he thinks will make his rich in three
years. Then he will come back to
me-
"Bat. why not marry as already
planned and lake you with him
dear?'
II did offer to go, but Grant says
the old field is too rough place to
take me; and he would have to be
away from home so much, with hard
riding to do, that it would not suit
me at ALL"
But, mamma, dear, Grant loves me
ever SO much more for being patient
and promising to wait"
A frown overspread the brow Of tne
widowed mother, as she said: "Take
back your promise, dear, and lei
Grant Richardson go. free. Gladys
never have quite approved OF this
marriage, you know; and now I dis,
like 1t more than ever. as he has
shown great selfishness in asking you
to wait SO long, while all your youth
full beauties fade"
81 am twenty, mamma, when Grant
returs, shall be only twenty.three.
Now, can beauty fade so soon?"
eyes, my dear. when 1t is washed
by tears for an absent lover. Thin,,
of the long years of waiting and hop.
ing, Gladys; and perhaps when Grant
comes back, and finds you not quite
SO pretty, he may prove tickle and
false, who can tell?"
"oh! how cruel and unjust you arc
to Grant; but he will prove true. |
know it. Why, mamma, how anxious
you ate to get rid OF me-"
mo, child, for was very sorry you
gave away your heart so soon: but
love you very dearly, my pet; and l
grieve for the trial before you; for Il
will be trial, the waiting, the hop,
ing, and longing. Take my advice,
dearest, and give Grant Richardson
Up for all time. There are many 9th.
er admirers, who are preferable, In
my estimation, to Grant Richardson.
They will soon make you forget the
lover, who loved and rode away"
Mamma, you do not favor Grant,
because OF his poverty. You want me
to marry for wealth and title, instead
OF love. But I shall be as true as steel
to my poor Grant, while he is away"
GLADYS, you know Miss DeMason?''
Eyes. That horrid old maid is the
most disagreeable woman of my &C.
quaintance.'
shall tell you, Gladys. what
makes her look so worn and faded?"
yes, If you please. mamma"
We'll. my dear, We were girls to-
gether"
ooh! impossible, mamma. She
looks twenty years older than you"
Undoubtedly, Gladys, she does:
but nevertheless she is few months
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