Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-17
THE EVENING STORY.
The Heart of Hester.
BY Il. R. FoaG.


When Hester Eastholme found her
self fatherless and motherless. folks in
ellsworth said there would soon be a
wedding. soon as she's through her
mourning" For the gossips concluded
that having lost both parents within a
month lonely life would soon pail
upon her. But. they opined, SO sweet
and capable a mistress for the little
infants school would be hard to come
by.
Prophetic matchmakers had coupled
her name with that of Frederick Low
burn. others with that of John Whal-
ley. But the former had left the office
of the local lawyer and gone TO the
big city. where it was reported he was
doing well. ard though Whalley still
remained. carrying on his father s
quarries. it was evident he was too
shy and difiident. people said, to cap
ture the beautiful girl who. it was
whispered. could. if she chose, live
upon her literary earnings alone.
Hester indeed. had no idea that they
discussed her in the places where wom-
en- congregate. She taught their chill
dren. who all loved her. and as for
seeking the towns she was well CON
mines and the quaint folk with their
quaint speech. Her time was fully oc-
cupied, her work was her recreation,
and for change she asked no more than
to reach the local Beacon HILL, where
the map of North Lancashire was
rolled before the view. from silvery
Ribble and her cleaning estuary to the
Yorkshire marshes. and from Black
burns smoky pail in the south to the
lakeland fells northward
On one such day many months be-
fore, when she had found her way to
this viewpoint. two lads had encoun-
tered her. one after the other.
Frederick Lowburn stole a march
upon his slower rival, and SO plain
| spoken John Whalley arrived second.
Promise me, Hester" urged Low
promise me that l may come to you
with my success. | am going to work
for you. and for you alone. l love you.
Hester. l want you for my Wife
And she replied calmly: why not
win your success first. Frederick? ]
don't want to be married Yet. And see,
here is joint"
Frederick moved away, biting his lip;
and John. seating himself on the
heather at her feet. told the story his
eyes only too plainly expressed.
But though. perhaps. she was more
indulgent with him. her reply was
much the same.
IF you like. she added, TO think
l wish YOU success, and it will help you
to work, John. you may surely do SO
But we are younS-you and land
Frederick-to think of marriage!"
They left her to herself and journeyed
down the hill together. friendly in
speech. but hating each other at heart
and within sight of the ancient keep
of Clitheroe, Hester unused upon the
days of chivalry and thought with some
self-chiding that she set knight against
knight. and some day must give the
guerdon to one-or the other.
The. heather died. and one moorlan6
winter after another passed, leaving hel
ing. and in the third winter news came
of still another observation-disclosures
through firm Of Manchester solicitors
who added the information that a small
fortune now devolved upon her. Blu
though folk noticed that she wore mourn
ing. and heard it was for an uncle. she
held her peace about the money, and nj
one was the wiser. for she lived her lif.
as before. 1t was not in the mild season
| of autumn that Lowburn returned, bu
| when the moors were bleak, their brook.
silent and north wind blew that her
| aided snow.
Hester had correspondent fitfully will
him during his stay in the modern Athens
always writing as a sister might, ever
as she spoke to Whalley. the ploddint
! stay home. But ever the news of hi
increasing success contrasted with thu
| apparent standstill of Johns affairs, VIII,
since that memorable day upon the bea
| con hill spoke to her with a reserve tina
resembled diffidence.
! Yet now Lowburn was coming to Gis
1 worth, Hester felt no enthusiasm. g
fear" she thought. The will expect
i welcome that is more than just friendly
| She busted herself on the Saturda,
morning. assisting the mddle-aged cousil
who had come to live with her, blu
sought no counsel. The steady progress
of the hands of the clock irked her. Sh
even felt sense of grievance agains
John Whalley, unreasonably blaming hin
| for the one-sided battle.
| 1t had already begun to snow lightl
after noon. and toward sunset, when Low