The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-02

to her forehead, gave a CIV, and san
down on her knees in the road.
She knelt there few moments an,
then arose. In this interval the win
had blown the clouds from the sky. an,
the moonlight lay white upon the PAL
and lit her on her way to her poo
home.
There at the door sat a mana strong
determined looking fellow, who aros
as she approached and held out hi
hand.
"Hereyou come," he said, stirred t.
DEATH Worn out, still on that fruitles
errand. Jessie Lester, can't you give VI
thls nonsense and think OF the living
little. Think Of me, Jessie, for just hal
an n0ur"
81 do think OF you," she said. "pn
very sorry you should be so good to mt
| when must seem so bad to you."
Then she sat down on the porch and
| LOOK her little hood on, and leaned hel
head wearily against the waTl of the
house; ana the man arose and crossed
over ana sat down beside her.
| Tive ~ a softer restlng-place, Jessie,'
ne said, "here on my heart"
| She looked out into the night, not al
him, as she spoke.
| "JoD," she said, II begin to think you
| are right, that he went down in the
Sphynx with the rest ten years ago. But
what good would l do you? What do
you want to marry me for"
Inc man drew closer SILL as he an.
sWered:
"Beiore you were married to Charles
Lester L loved you. While you were a
married woman loved you. All these
ten years since that vessel went down
i've loVed you. a man must nave the
her."
"What horrible thoughtV said she.
ellis soulW
81 should have said his life," said Job.
81 don't want to shock you. But you
don't know what it would be to me to
nave you. ana then la 40 everything
for your Doy."
Yes" she answered; ~ know you
would"
Inere was pause. Then she gave him
her hand.
"Job," she said, very softly, II shall
pretend nothing L don't feel, but know
rye Deen crazy all This time, and ii you
want me you may have me. Its very
good OF you to love me So"
And THUS it seemed to have ended,
and there was triumph in Jobs eyes as
he turned away and left her with his first
kiss upon her lips. But at the end OF the
green lane he paused and looked back.
81 told her the truth,n he said. ssWhen
I said that when man loved a woman
as loved her, he must have her, if the
price were his soul ITSELF"
And then he drew from his breast
letter with a great red seal upon it. look.
ed at it Tor moment, and hid it away
again
ried, Every one at McKibben,s Corners
knew that now. Jessie Lester Went no
more to the post-office for her lonp-ex.
nected letter. Job was FURNISHINGS bis
house-had furnished it, for on the NOR.
row the wedding was to take place. And
it was night again, A month from that
night. when she had come for the last
time, as every one thought, through rain
and mud, to make her sadly foolish
query. she was sensible at iastNverv
sensible. She had chosen the substance
instead of the shadow.
And now, as we said, it was night. and
a wetter one than that other-later. too.
for Mr.. Fairjohn had closed the store.
and was compounding himself what he
called "night-cap," of some fragrant
liquor, warm water, lemons and sugar,
and was supping it by the stove, when
there came upon mis- door feeble knock,
and when, being repeated, he heard it,
there staggered in out of the rain drip.
ping figure-that of Jessie Lester, the
bride who was to be on the morrow.
She was trembling with cold, and as he
led her to the fire she burst into flood
of tears.
"Pm frightened" she said. "Some one
followed me all the way. / heard them."
"You've no business to be out alone at
night" said old Fairjohn, bluntly. "And
what's the mattery"
She looked up at him piteously.
81 thought there would he a LETTER."
said she. 81 dreamt there was one. l
thought Charlie came to me and said:
60 to the office once more. l have writ
ten, l have written And thought l
saw letter with red SEAL"
$50 did j, )" muttered old FairjOhn to
He went to the box where the letters
were kept, and brought them to her in
his hand.
"Look for yourself" he said. "And
now, Mrs. Lester, I'm an old man. Take
my advice. Remember what your duty
will be after tomorrow. Remember not
to go crazy.
'sren years have gone since your hus-
band left this place. If he's alive he's a
rascal, and you are free of him by law;
but we all know that every man on board