The Osceola times., 1879-01-04

Yes; and dare say often pulled
Jacks heart.strings -ather hard but he
was gentle and patient when ! fiirted
with the country lads, and when | was
wild and wayward he didn't remonstrate
But one day there came along city
chap, who engaged board for the summer
at farmhouse in the neighborho ID.
"This Clarence Devarges, a. he was
called, was handsome, well dressed and
had tha. olished, indescribabe air that
j. so fascinating to most silly girls. Jack
was kind and well hammered, but he
didn't have bit of style about him, but
style was what | dotted on in those
days. So | snubbed JACK, and smiled on
MI. Devarges when he offered his atten-
tions. firted most dreadfully with
him till even generous Jack was dis
pleased.
One morning, looking somewhat
grave and sad, he came into the ticket
office, 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 p said Jack.
"What thing p | snapped out.
Why, this affair with Deverges; l
see it is geing beyond a mere firtation.'
Pray, what of itY
"Only that do not wish my future
wife's name joined in with that OF A.
Jack paused here, and added earnestly;
Well, / warn you against this fellow.
Who knows what he isY
"M Mr.. Devarges is perfect gentle
man, and that is more than one can say
of some Others | said hotly. And,
Mr. H )lly, in regard to your future wife,
| believe do not aspire to that honor
and-here is your ring drew off the
golden band and handed it to him.
"Nell, do you mean this? inquired
Jack, with white lips.
"fYes, | do. I'm tired of your carp
ing and criticising, | said, pettishly.
$50 be it, then. Good.by,' said Jack,
and, without another word, he left the
room.
"To tell the truth, / hadn't meant
half ! said. and every minute expected
that Jack would kiss me and we'd make
up A mist came over my eyes as /
watched him fast disappearing again,
and / would have INDUCED in good
cry, but Just then the special came
putting up, and the President OF the road
came in. He WAS kind old gentleman,
whom | had known since | was wee
girl
Good day, Miss Nellie. Every
thing prosperous, l hope. Will you do a
favor for mep
a. ( I oan
"'Well, you see, when we were com.
ing down | met gentleman that owed
me some money; paid me 5000, and now
| do not know what to do with it, as we
are going up into the woods to see about
LAYING out a new railroad. We shall be
gone two DAYS. Don't want to take the
money with me; will you take charge OF
it while l am gone?
"'If YOU viii trust me-
"'BIess my soul yes, OF ceuise; here
is the money. Must hurry away.
Good morning
Scarcely had portly Mr.. Ssyre gone
away before Mr.. Devarges came ssunter'
ing in. =,
"'Got quite little sum there, haven't
you, Miss Nelie?' eyeing the bills in my
hand.
"'Yes,' Ireplied, laughing; Mr.. Sayre
has made me his banker. Look Six
hundred dollars How rich | would
feel il it were mine
"'You deserve to have much more
and doubtless that pretty face II win it,.
Somehow this bold compliment
failed to please, and it was with cold
ness that | said:
Take a chair, Mr.. Devarges'
"'No, thank you, Miss Nellie.
have an appointment. But will you
allow me to call on you this evening"
"'Well, scarcely think will be at
home. You know mother and sister
Lulu aie away, and little while ago
got word from grandmother saying per
night with her
1T was true that ! had received such
word from grandma, but had moi
thought df accepting it. | hoped thsi
Jack would come and make up and, o.
course, | didn't care to have Mr.. De
,yarges call at the same time.
"'What will YOU do with that money
Miss Nell2' carelessly inquired Mr.. De
vsrges.
"'Oh, shall putt right here in thi'
drawer. No one knows about it and il
will be perfectly secure
"Dsre say; good morning, and, with
courtly bow, my admirer eft.
"Ail during the day ] busted mysel
about my duties, and when night cam,
I put on the dress lack liked best, anC
anxiously waited his coming,
"Seven O'Clock ! eight O'Clock min,
O'Clock The las. train had come anC
gone, and my duties for the day wer,
over. | put out the light in the ticket
Office and went into the sitting.room
and watched and waited Ten O'Clock
half pas ten! No use waiting any
longer-he wouldn't come.
Il went to the door, opened it snC
looked out. There seemed every thinl
weird about the whole landscape. Ever
the shadows seemed alive. The sky wa
beginning to be overcast and the moor
peeped out OF an inky black cloud. TIL,
frogs down the river werc croskiDg dis
mally; the wind seemed to whisper anC
moan.
81 shivered out with nameless dread
and closed the door; went TO bed anC
cried myself to sleep.
Il had slept an honr, perh 'ps, anC
then awoke with sudden start, feeling
great difficulty in breathing. A par
Of the quilt lay across my mouth,
thought. but on reaching my hand u
remove it found that it was hand
kerchief saturated with--what? Chic
roform
"A thrill os terror passed over me