The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1917-09-06
The Queer
Miss Egerton
She Was Uninteligible to
the Last.
BY EMMA MOREHOUSE

1 ~AAcc ~,hoANAh VII WAC
euliar girl. She seldom did any
thing as any one else would do it
and was always doing things in a
way that no one else would think
Of doing them.
In the first place, Miss Egerton,
who was an orphan, inherited q
large estate and came into posses
sion of it when she was eighteen
years old. The next most impor-
tant thing about her was an init
mate friend. Before her mothers
death, when she was but twelve
years old, she had conceived a vio-
lent affection for Agnes Hart, who
was badly named, because she was
not possessed of heart at all.
Mrs. Egerton died when Marcia
was twenty, leaving her daughter
her own mistress and in possession
Of large property. She took her
friend Agnes to live with her and
lavished upon her everything a girl
could desire. Several young men,
zach of whom would have liked to
win Marcia either for herself or
ler fortune, declared that they were
snable to separate her long enough
rom her girl friend to do so.
Marcia became interested in a
young man - Edwin Bond - who
found more opportunity to court
than he availed himself Of. He ad-
nnired Marcia; but, having no for
tune himself, he objected to being
tied to woman who possessed one.
He was one of those young men
who feel the zest of making a place
Tor themselves in the world by their
own efforts.
Marcia, not making any Roadway
with Edwin Bond, chose another
lover, Cecil Baxter. Mr.. Baxter
vas frequent visitor at her house
and divided his attentions between
the two girls. His inclinatons drew
him rather toward Agnes than
Marcia, but since Marcia possessed
fortune and Agnes was poor he
accepted the encouragement Of the
former and proposed to her and
was accepted.
When q certain scheme of Marcia
Egerton's was whispered about, all
who heard it wondered at her in
fatuation for her bosom friend. On
the ground that she did not feel
that she would live long she made
a will leaving half her estate to
charitable institution to be named
for and In memory of her mother.
The other half she divided between
her lover and her bosom friend.
Those who were observant motto
ed that Bakers inclinations were
rather toward his fiancee's friend
than his hancee. They also noticed
that the friend, except when the
fiancee was present, did not show
any disposition to compel Mr.. Bax-
ter to reserve his especial attention
for his betrothed.
Meanwhile Marcia Egerton SEEM
ed to be slowly failing. Her physi-
clan advised her to visit other
lands. Since she couldn't very well
90 alone it was suggested that she
be married and travel with a man.
But she replied that she did not
propose to throw any such obloauy
upon husband as making courier
OF him. Then it was announced
that she would take her girl friend
with her.
The two friends one day in Janu-
airy sailed ON a Mediterranean
steamer for Egypt. That is the last
any one in America heard from
them for several months; then one
DAY Agnes returned, saying that
she had left Marcia starting for a
trip through the Holy Land. She
reported her friend very much i'm
proved in health and not at all
aVerse to travelling alone. Agnes
was tired of travelling and preferred
20 go home. As soon as Marcia
learned this, which Agnes said she
had tried to keep a secret, Marcia
would not hear Of her remaining
abroad any longer.
Oiuce agnes and Baxter were
seen together a great deal after her
return critical persons said that Az
mes had come home purposely to
monopolize him. The case excited
more talk than any social happen
ing that had been discussed in the
place for years. Every one won
dered that Marcia Egerton should
Dc 30 blind, BY some she was blam-
cd for Offering inducement for
crime. Here were two lovers be-
tween whom she stood and who
might be tempted to put her out Of
the way that they might be united.
each with considerable means. into
possession Of which they would
como at her death.
Then came q report that an
American lady travelling in the
Holy Land had been robbed and
murdered. The report was confirm
ed, and the lsdy's name was given
as Marcia Egerton. She had zone
on on an excursion to lonely place