Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-01-24

Uhe Ilght, wore an expression tha
certainly justified Miss Knowles
opinion. .
$50 that's her little camel" h,
muttered. "But if l don't manag,
to get the odd trick of her, by-!'
and with an oath he brought dow
his hand on the railing as she dis
appeared.
l hesitated at first if / ought not
to put Miss Knowles on her guard
by informing her of what had pass
ed. But felt ashamed to disquiet
her, no doubt needlessly, be repeat
ing that vague sort of bluster, and
as for the next few days, Webster
seemed quieter than usual, l ended
by myself forgetting his words.
But somewhat more than a week
later, his manner suddenly changed.
1t was one morning that he had a
friend with him, whom he had
brought home the night before and
kept to breakfast. This fellow, Nose
ly l think was his name, and one of
Webster's own sort, and the two
were in oppressiyely high spirits,
Webster in particular, making a
great number of small jokes, point
less, as it struck me, bnt which ap-
peared to afford HIM much satisfac-
ton, and which he accompanied,
as fancied, by sly glances at Miss
Knowles, for which should have
been delighted to fling the contents
of my coffee-cup in his face.
Towards the end of the meal,
Mosely reminded Webster of some
letter which the latter was to show
him. Webster took out his pocket
book, and began turning over the
papers inside.
"This it, Gus? said Mosely, ia
king hold of the nearest, a square,
white envelope, directed in what
looked, so far as l could see scross
the table, a very peculiar hand. But
Webster drew it back hastily.
"No, no, that's private letter."
he answered and this time | could
not mistake that he gave one of
those odd looks across at Miss
Knowles, ga very peculiar private
letter, that I wouldn't let out of my
hands for double X"
"Well, you needen't be afraid of
my making a bill for it," replied
Mosely; Give use enough for my
double KS without buying up old |
paper. Now, then! have you found |
the right thing this time, or shall l |
call again next Christmas?"
Webster, it appeared, had found |
the right thing, and the two witty /
gentlemen presently deprived us of |
their company. E
81 don't remember to have ever
seen Mr.. Webster in such an agreea-
Die flow of Spirits" said l to Miss
Knowles, who, with myself, happen |
ID to be the last left at the table
wonder what it betokens? i
''No good to somebody" answer
ID Miss Knowles, eontemptuously, |
he first word she had ever said to
ne against Webster. l was about
% reply, when my foot touched
under the table, and,
topping down, | picked up pa
)er.
"Mr. Webster has dropped one of
lis letters peculiar private
me, perhaps" said laughing, and,
urning it over, recognized in fact,
he marked handwriting. At the
anne moment Miss Knowles eyes
ell on the superscription, and her
ace grew white to the very lips.
'tMy God! can it be-! she gasp
d. "Give it to me-the letter"
mpatiently, as l looked at her in
'ewilderment. l gave it to her, she
ore it open, cast one glance at the
ignature, and then her hand, as if
'alsied, let the crushed paper fall,
nd she sat staring straight before
er with look of such blank des-
'air as l hope never to see again in
ny human face.
''What is the writer OF that letter
o your" she said slowly, as if every
7ord was a weight dragged from
er. Then with sudden feverish
aste, ;'You did not expect to find
le an imposterl But remember /
1arned you! Ah, you are silent!
,ou would not drink that pledge to
riendship now?''
"Not to friendship" l broke in
oused out of stupor, shut to love!
Why should man you hate stand
etween you and" -
"Stop Mr.. Denvers," she inter,
osed gravely, "stop before you
peak any word to destroy the sin
lie pleasant memory of all my lat
er years. Do Hook like a woman"
he continued, lifting her head
roudly, "to sacrifice honor to hap
iness? Have l ever given you a
lance or a tone that could let you
link that?" T.
No" said L bltterl y, ''yOu have (
cen prudence itself! 1t is so easy
, be prudent when one is cold; so y
lsy to say-Go, for | don't love
ou!" ..'. .
There was a moments silence; (
I'D then a voice, her voice, but as {
had never heard it yet, spoke my
anne; George" it said softly, 81
0 not say-Go, for | do not love
GU! but Go, because I love you ! i
.ush! you know me well enough to
now that means good bye forever; |
ot one word more, if you would
ave me believe you worthy of my t
l
She had known how to use an ap- {
cal impossible to resist. L set my I
eth to keep back the struggling
ords, while she continued; 81 count |
a YOU to help instead of hindering {
e. feel too stunned, too bewilder- i
to think clearly" She took up I
le letter again, and looked at it f
if some sort of conflict were go
g on in her mind. "Nonsense" {
le said, finally, with a bitter smile, i
Ich delicate scruples are misplaced '
,tween husband and wife; l will c
speet your confidence as you {
ould respect mine, James Hunt |
- I