The Portland daily press., 1874-10-17

She stood up and beckoned to one Of the
men who were helping to draw out from un-
der the wrecked tinbers the crushed human
beings about us. He came with light, looked
and then turned away.
There's others that's hurt far worse than
him, Miss. We must look to them first"
Janet caught hold of bis arm, and snatch
ing her purse from her pocket, thrust it into
his hand.
s'For Gods sake help mel she cried. ooh,
| you must help me get him away from here.
Take that-there is money in it-and do as I
bid you.''
| The man yielded. Janet took off her large
thick shawl and spread it on the ground.
They loosened me as tenderly as possible
from the wreck, and placed me on the shawl.
Next Janet took off some otherportlon of her
dress and covered mel felt her lips touch
my cheek as she did it; then she took two
corners of the shawl in her small, fair hands,
the man took the other two, and SO, step by
step, tenderly, not TO jar my bruised body,
slowly and laboriously, the delicate girl aud
the strong man carried me up the rocky, ice
bound side of The rayine. Oh, my old Janet
my lost darling! More than the bleeding
OF my wounds was the bleeding of my heart,
and more than the pain of my hurts
was the pain of my penitent love for you dur
ing that desolate journey.
which followed that nights wounds and ex-
posure, through convalesence, and as long as
needed nurse, Janet stayed with me.
Every morning she received letter from her
grandfather, couched in affectionate terms
and expressing great anxiety for her, but not
once abiding to me. He never came near
me. never asked after my welfare; was dead
to the old granite heart. / felt bitter indig-
nant, but was too proud TO complain.
At lQpufb tho fipoo arrvcd xubo
said that she must go; and then came bat
tie of wills. I begged her to stay with me.
l entreated, implored, using all my noted
powers of eloquence, which were now all the
more effective that | was in deadly earnest.
But all in vain. Terrible power, used terri
bly, in vain. 1t was a novel experience to
me to fail.
''Stop, Teddyp' said Janet, crying. seYou
mustnot speak of this again. I promised
grandfather if he would let me come to you,
that no word Of love should be spoken be-
tween us, He trusts in my honor. Let me
gow
burst out in fierce rage. @E
''Why should we wreck our lives in hui
moring the whims of spiteful old man? Oh
Janet! my love, my darling! do not leave
me-"
But she would not listen. saH al isssie'ss
81 promised him to come back" she said,
sand will keep my word.'' ~
but you love me! you love me, Janetp
q II love you, Teddy have always loved
you, and always will. Now let me co." "a
"But if YOU love me, why do you leave me
JanetP Why are you so cold and hard-why
is it so impossible to move you?"
Then for the first time she broke down.
IA ''Cold to ycu2 All, Teddy, don't you see
how am suferingP love you'll love you!
oh univ, hor-
when we were children together? We were
so happy then. Why did you slight me, and
hurt me, and make grandpapa angrya 1t is
all your fault-yours.'
She was crying and calling my name, with
her face hidden in my arms. took her to
my breast, and kissed and soothed her with
an exultant heart. Let the old man vent his
spite now where he would, Janet was mine.
mine! But all at once she stood up, pale and
calm, and held out her hands: -.
Goodbye, Teddy! I am going now. We
must not see each other again. Forget me!
! hope you will be happy; I hope you win
find some one to love, and to love you; and
-and-say good bye to me, Teddy" oitA e
81 will not say it, burst out furously
81 will marry you yet, in spite of that old ty.
rant. I will wait for you till he is dead, and
then will come to you, even if it be from
the other side of the world" I thrust her
h"huS AlOLA liz duu tuluCu Ivy letCc W Luc
wall. ~ syal.fa9nA H7fAs .a3 ssss ssiH 9s'-s
That was our parting, and for over three
long years that was the last I saw or heard of
Janet Fentensleigh. "a mans courage,
mans will, and mans sense of honor, add
ed to wOman's tenderness
/ was in the south of Italy when her sum-
mons came to me: "Come home, Teddy"
Only these three words, but never did home
sick wanderer cross the seas with lighter
heart than mine, in answer to that sweet
command. 1IEgf GIBBS GEetEG# SIZE
Janet met me at the familiar doorway. ia
net in mourning, but always my bright, my
beautiful, my old Janet. Our meeting was
silent, but full of such sweet joy.
She took me, later, to our grandfather's
grave. 'tHe forgave you at the last" she
said, softly. "He spoke of you tenderly-and
he babe me send for you.
But ii he had not?" asked eagerly. eff
he had not forgiven me, Janet, what then?
Would you have sent for me just the same?"
She hung her head, while her sweet face
flushed and paled by turns, But the answer
came, brave and true:
81 am afraid not, she said. ooh, Teddy,
am SO glad grandpa forgave you, for I'm
afraid never could have broken my promise
to him."
But choose to think that she could
Overland Monthly.