Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1879-03-06
with him till even generous Jack wa:
disDteased

grave and sad, he came into the
tlcketottice. The last passenger had
gone, and the train was moving out.
Jacks train had stopped to take
freight.
{" Well, how long is this thing
going TO last?' said Jack.
+" What thing?' 1 snapped out.
"'Why, this affair with Devarges;
L see it is going beyond mere airta-
tion.'
" Pray, what of it?'
"'Only that L do not wish my
future wife's name joined in with that
of a. Jack parsed here, ard said
earnestly: "'Well,I warn you against
this fellow. Who knows what he is?'
"sMr. Devarges is gentleman,
and that is more than one can say of
some Others l said hotly. "'And,
Mr.. Holly, in regard to your future
wife, l believe dono aspire to that
honor-.and-here is your ring l
drew { !. the golden band and handed
it - nim.
"'Nell, do you mean this?' inquir-
Jack with white lips.
"'Yes, do. I'm tired Of your
capering and criticising. The affair
may be ended now and forever l
said pittishly.
{" so be it, then. Good-by,' said
Jack, and, without another word, he
left the room.
"'To tell the truth, I hadn't meant
half said. and e.'ery minute expect
ed that Jack would kiss me and we'd
make up 4 mist came over my
eyes as | watched him fast disap-
pearing again, and I would have
indulged in a good cry, but inst then
the special came putting up, and the
president of the road came in. He
was kind old gentleman, whom L
had known since | was wee girl.
"'Good day, Miss Nellie. Every
thing prosperous, hope. Will you do
q favor for me:'
Certainly, si-, il / can
"'Well, you SEE, when we were
coming down met gentleman that
owed me some money paid me $500,
aud now / don't know what to do
with 1t, IS We are going up into the
woods to see about laying out new
railroad. We shall be gone two days.
Don't want 70 take the money with
me; will you take charge of it while
I'm gone
"If you'll trust me-.
"'Bless my soul! yes, of course
here is the money. Must hurry away.
Good morning
Scarcely had portly Nr. Sayre
gone away before Mr.. Beverages
: came sauntering in.
'''Got quite a little sum there.
haven't you, Miss Nellie?' cycling
J the bills in my hand.
"'Yes,' replied, laughing, 'Mr
Ssyre has made me his banker
Look, Six hundred dollars! How
: rich should feel if it were mine
} "'You deserve to have much more
and doubtless that pretty face ii viii
: it..
Y Somehow this bold complmen
fan ed 10 please, and il was with cold
| ness that l said:
4 - Take chair, Mr.. Devarges.'
:" "'No, thank you, Miss Nellie;
have an appointment. But will you
allow me to call ON you this even.
, ing?'
" Well, l scarcely think shall be
: at hone. You know mother and sis
ter Ldu are away, and little while
ago got word from grandmother
saying perhaps hfd better come and
stay all night with her.
1T was true that l had received
such word from grand ma, but had
not thought of accepting it. | had
hoped that Jack would come and
make up, and, of course, l did not
care to have Mr.. Devarges call at the
same time.
What will You do with your
money, Miss Nell?' carelessly inquir-
Mr.. Devargcs.
"'0h, L shall put it right here in
this drawer. No one knows abotu
it, and it will be perfectly secure.
- Dare say; good morning. and,
with a courtly bow, my admlrer left.
IAN during the day busted my
self about my duties, and when night
came put on the dress Jack liked
best, and anXiouslv waited his COM
ing.
'Seven O'Clock! eight O'Clock!
nine o'clock! The last train had
come ana gone, and my duties for
the day were over. l put out the
light III the ticket-office, went into
the sitting-room and watched and
waited. Ten O'Clock! half-past ten!
No Use waiting any longer-he would
not come.
II went to the door, opened 1t, and
looked out. There seemed everything
weird about the whole landscape.
Even the shadows seemed alive. The
sky was becoming overcast and the
moon peeped out of an inky black
cloud. The frogs down the river
were croaking dismally; the wind
seemed to whisper and moan.
II shivered out with a nameless
dread and closed the door; went to
bed and cried myself to sleep.
Il had slept an hour. perhaps, and
then awoke with sudden start, feel
ing a great difficulty in breathing. A
part of the quilt lay across my mouth,
l thought, but on reaching nay hand
to remove 1t found that it was
handkerchief saturated with-what?
Chloroform!
"A thrill of terror passed over me.
Who had done this? Was there
some one in the house?
II half arose and gazed about ME. I
All was dark, except little ray Of
light falling through the partially
closed doors.
II silently arose, and just then al
most screamed in fear when a sudden
sound smote upon my ear. 1t was
only the clock striking the hour of
midnight! 1 placed my hand upon
my heart to sooth it's fierce throbs.
stepping along, carefully avoid
ing all obstacles, reached the door.
opened it, and glanced into the SIT
ting room No ono waS fhAro huf