Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-06-28

curlS0 III ittsfc Eoi4cn tiAk7 AL " =. s..N
head, and his eyes looked dark blue
to me, and he had very sweet voice, /,
and acted just like gentleman would
to any woman :.
And to think of his being in prison!'
said Leila, compassionately. Poor
man! Jane, he is the lover ma spoke
about. You see he must have fallen
in love with you, and that is the en-
gagement ring. think you are good
enough for any man, Jane, bot too
good for felon.'
Don't call him that, Leila and
Jane looked panied.
The two girls agreed not to tell Mrs.
Crane of the nights adventure, for fear
of her harsh criticisua, but when alone
they frequently spoke of the strange
man whom Leila always called James
lover
Jane Hsynie was an orphan, and had
been bound out to stern old woman
who had nearly worked the young girl
TO death. At the expiration OF the
contract Jane had taken a situation at
Mrs. Cranes, where she had COM
Portable home, and though she work
ed hard she was never badly treated.
Mrs. Crane was harsh in manner and
severe in judgment, but she tried to be
always Just. To Leila, Jane was very
much attached, for the child of fifteen
looked upon the girl OF twenty-five as
dear sister, and treated her as such.
Four months passed by and Jane
had heard nothing of her 'lOver.' And
now she seldom thought of him unless
the sight of the gold ring she wore
brough mt him to her mind. Itwas now
nearly Christmas time, and the farm
house kitchen presented a busy scene,
for great preparations were being made
for the expected arrival of several cous-
ms and aunts who alwas spent the
holidays at the Cranes. Jane went
down to the barn to hunt up some
more eggs, for they needed q dozen for
the squash pies Mrs. Crane made SO
delicious and golden. The hay was
piled high in the loft, and Jane went
Through the whole lower part of the
barn before ascending the ladder which
led to the loft. She hoped to find eggs
enough below, but was disappointed in
doing so, and accordingly began her
search through the sweet-smeiling
hay, singing gaily, for her heart was
Hight. All at once she gave scream,
lfor in one corner of the loft, half GOV
terod by hay, she saw the figure OF q
man. Jane WAS brave girl, but she
could not stand such sudden fright,
land have screamed for help had not
I the man raised himself OH his elbow
and spoken TO her.
DO you not remember me, Jane?' he
said. Where is the ring?'
Jane felt her heart thrOb violent
i have it, she rrplid, but did mo-
think to see you again. Why are yCt
here?
Il believed am dying he said, qui-
letly, resting on the hay his handsome
head and reaching out to her ont
white, shapely, though very thin
hand. Il don't ask You to do anything
for me. Let me die alone. 1 am no
so bad as you may think me. 1'v'
son for half numbering man in tit o
drunken passion. I've never touched
: liquor since. But no one cares for me
my mother and sisters are dead, ane
the brother who should have helped
me stole my property and left me
beggar, and the girl l was to MARI,
,ijilted me Tor rich old man. No, Jane
there is nothing for me to live for.
came up in this loft hoping to di'
alone and unnoticed. / came, here, fol
here it was heard the first kind word
which had greeted my ears for months
) He sank back heavily at the cOnclu
sion of this long speech, which had ev
identity tired him greatly to utter.
Jane went up to him and put he
hand on his head. r. ~ 7lF 3
You are burning up with fever sh
said, quie tly, 'and lying in this coli
barn, tOO.'
! Il am not cold. The hay is soft t,
lie on he replied. !. .t-...
Jane took off her heavy cloak ant
laid it over him. a3I .A
'There, stay quietly here until re-
turn she said.
He made no answer, but lay still
Ii toking at her with sad, weary, blu
eyes, which Jane thought so beautiful
With fleet steps she returned to tn,
house, and burst into the kitchen, start
ling Mrs. Crane so that she Overturnet
a cup of milk she held.
20 dear, Mrs. Crane,' she cried, ant
: The began to tell her of the poor mai
!, the fact that She had met him a hafore
! lint Mrs Crane interrnnted her
.You,d better call father and IN,
, hired man and make them Get hin
him oait and set him tramn;ng
But lane heooed and nlesdad thu
she should nn,se him fn- he wss hnrn
ing mn with. taver rand not able IN r. wall. Z
Oh cppid she not have We hin him " in th n
honse. She .y'm,llJiat hin, J. .occunv ha
og,n"i, i,ffie raon, snd sha wontd s,ne ~
on I the kitcben saes ~ so "o1'' 'iee
faka'a dr,,nt.n tr.n ;nt
! thu honsa @ ~ nnrsep cr;sd Ms E-ano n.
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