The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-05-09

to witness my success pursued the
same voice, .:if you do not object
II objectr' said Laura's silver treble
return so little!'
"Good-by." A little silence follwed;
then-could Mr.. Devens believe his
own earsp The jackanapes had kissed
Laura, and she had not rebuked him!
He turned hot and cold alternately; his
heart seemed throbbing in his throat;
he glanced toward the gate where she
still leaned; he longed to take her in
his arms and claim her love, in spite of
that strange mans audacious kisses.
Then he remembered Prue, and what
folks had said. Had he not put his
own happiness beyond his reach? In
teaching Laura a lesson, had he not
learned more than he cared to know
himself? He was like a child crying
for the moon. He had better 60 home
and marry Prue. Then he moved for
ward swiftly as leopard; had reached
the gate and placed compelling hand
upon Laura's before she was aware of
his neighborhOod.
THAT man-who left you just now
who kissed u--you-who is he?
You are going to marry him!' he
gasped, as If he challenged her to deny
"And you are going to marry Pru-
dence Bender" returned Laura's tense
tones. "Let me wish you joy" The
hand that held hers dropped like lead;
he hung his head like one convicted,
and walked away without word.
Looking drearily out of the car win
dow on the following morning on her
way to Boston, Laura's eyes fell upon
Mr.. Devens making his way toward
the rcfreshment-room, having just left
the cars. She fancied that there was
something strange in his appearance !:
was he ill? Could he have been watch
ing? He had haggard, addressed
air, as if he had been up overnight, and
had not found time to adjust himself to
the hour, and he walked unsteadily.
Presently the train gave an admOnitOry
lurch. Mr.. Devens would lose it, she
thought no, he was coming, quickly
but not surely. His foot may have been
upon the step when it painted and roll
ed forward, and broke up Suddenly
| with noise like the crack of doom. 1t
seemed to Laura as if the heavens had
rolled together as scroll at that in
slant; she knew what had happened
without hearing word she was on
her feet, cropping her way out amidst
the excited throng, which seemed to
part instinctiyely to let her pass. She
did not know that she had called his
name tenderly, wildly, with the terrible
solicitude in her voice which only love
lends. She knew nothing until she
found him lying like death, broken be-
side the track, white and speeches. and
mutilated. She crouched beside him
there, whispering tender words, as if
he could understand. as if they two
were alone. and not the spectacle of a
curious crowd.
81 was desperate, Laura, at losing
yOu," were his first faint words. II be-
level took something to drink-at
the inn-in Chester-just to forget
about it all. The first-and the last"
There is to this day an unfinished
portrait, turned face to the wall, in the
studio of Mr.. Raphael Smith. 1.-The
lady never arrived for her last sitting"
he explains. Her husband would have
purchased it, bu. the artist declined to
sell an unfinished painting.
81 meant the portrait for a Christ
mas present, dear, to you," said Mrs.
Devens; "that was why went to town
privately for my sittings-why l
.uade such a secret of it."
"And the wretched fellow prolonged
the sittings in order to make love to
you"
II remember the very day when l
received the postal card from Cousin
Jack-her name is Jacqueline, you
know, but we call her lack for brevity
telling me what day to go up for my
first sitting. Mrs. Bender brought it,
and thought you would be in that
evening; l supposed you would drop in
at any moment and make up; and then
-afterward-I had engaged the por-
trait, and what excuse could give for
withdrawing-and Jack at all the
bother of securing Mr.. Smiths
services"
"And presently it grew interesting,
with Raphael at your feet. will
swear that / heard him kiss you at the
gate, and vow he should be the hap
piest--"
mo, sir; he only kissed my hand,
and said he should be the happiest art
list alive when the picture was finished,
and begged permission to show it to his
friends and 'fellow-students.'
''But pardon, Mrs. Devens, what was
it YOU owed Mr.. Smith. for which you
could return so little?'
"Why, thought you knew. lowed
him a heart, but found myself insolvent.
Somebody had stolen all had.''
Indeed,' said Mr.. Devens, taking
up his crutch. '' wonder you preferred
cripple; but I'm glad you did,
"Well, now, postal-cards don't seem
to give much Information after ALL"
considered Mrs. Bender, when she hap
pened to learn the solution of her rid
die. elbow was to know that Jack
was only girl, and Laura was just 60
ing to town to have her picture takenp
1t beats all how misleading they are.
All I've got to say is, they might as
well never have been invented.
But it was owing to postal-c card
that Mr.. Devens married a gray-haired
bride, and that Laura Vaughn welded
a crippled lover. -Harpe,'s Bazaar. g
An Anecdote OF Lisxt. F.aal