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Newspaper Page Text
i4W" A HIDDEN LOVE n By Mary Grace Bennett "Don't be rash, Rivers, think it over. Surely, I have treated you fairly t" "More than fairly, Mr. Esmond!" declared Paul Rivers, gratefully and earnestly. , ." "Hit is a mater of increased com pensation I will gladly treat with you.''1 "Oh, no sir. It isn't that" "You have a better prospect, per haps, sugegsted Mr. Esmond,, anx ious to secure the confidence of an employe he valued and respected. "I have nothing in view, sir," ex plained Paul, "but I that is, I feel the need of a change. My mother, who lives in another state, is old and failing rapidly. I feel it a duty to be near Jaer." Thus, in a halting way, wretched at heart, hiding a deep secret, Paul Rivers bade farewell to the two brightest years of his young life. He had come to Taunton a strange er and had secured work in the large mercantile establishment of Robert Esmond. Erom the start the wealthy business man had admired his energy and efficiency. At the end of a yeae he had advanced his favored employe to a managerial position. Then he had made a vast mistake, so far as Rivers was concerned. He had invited Paul to his home and had Introduced him to his daughter, Eloise. She was a queenly, undemon strative girl, and although to Paul she seemed far, far above him, he be came a frequent visitor at the palatial home, and a secret worshiper at the shrine of her fascinating influence. Miss Esmond stood high socially.. The family friends were of the elite. She was courted by men who had thousands where Paul had hundreds. The self-deprecating Paul finally ar rived at a conclusion. To confess his love to her was sure to meet with a haughty rejection, Mistrusting his J own sterling value, misjudging a. woman's heart, Paul -Rivers resolved to go arwuyaTjd;forgeEEloIseEsmond. "Blind -doubly blind;" commented a close lady-friend of Miss Esmond to herself fdr she had discerned what lay hidden under thevmask of calm ness worn by Eloise. v At all events, Patfl went to his mother's home to begin a new life. He found there a patient, unpretenr tioue young girl who had tenderly nursed ihis age&relatlveJor threlong "I Want Yeu te Join Me." "1 years. "WhencWfs. Risers died her forlorn pooWwtwhedthe generous heart of Paul r "She ik "notrajetty nor educated," reflected Paul, '"but'shcfe true as steeL She jnay caaee me to forget Etoise." He'pbropoeed to Harriet Green-and she was proud and iajpy. A little, child, Adeline, was born to them." Then Harriet faded slowly away, blessing heaven, to the last for the husband whose gentleness and care she had mistaken for kv, m'