Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-03-20

ma, alex, sne salu, TO De gone Ior
great many years. When l come
back, I hope to find you = man-psr-
haps paps's ovsrsesr. I wanted to
toll you that if you wished any books
from the library I would leave this
key with you, and you might come up
and got them"
The sunlight was streaming full on
her face and the gold of her hair, ~
she spoke, but the boy, listening,
dark mist seemed to roll between
them. She was going away for years
she who had saved him from denth,
or worse than death.
The next minute she felt Just 4 lit
tie hurt, as, without q single word Of
thanks, he abruptly took the key and
hastened from her presence.
She could not know that he went
out to throw himself, face downward,
on the ground, and sob out like .
child in his hearts bitterness.
Seven long years passed swiftly BY,
and Alex Vernon had reached his
twsnty.ffth winter. Helen Haw-
thorus's last words had been to him
a prophecy, for she was now on her
homewsrd way, and he had attained
the position Of head ovsrsesr Of the
works.
my little girl made the best sslec-
ton after all" Mr.. Hawthorne would
often say, on receiving congratulations
on the efficiency Of his young aid.
Occasionally he would read him a
scrap of kind message from his
daughters letters, but Alex received
them all in silence. He had lost the
little golden-hsired child forever.
She would return woman, grown
cold, naughty and proud, perhaps.
refusing to cast even = smile across
the vast social gulf yawning between
them.
One morning-he had been absent
a few days on business-he returned
to find difficult piece Of machinery
about to be adjusted in one of the
mills which required his superintsnd-
ence. Directing the men, he saw that
not only his eye but his hand could
do better work than the others, and
SO, usizing a workman's blouse hang
ing near, he slipped it on, and in an
other moment had his shoulder to the
wheel.
A half-hour later, soiled and be-
grimsd, he heard the rustic of silk
en- dress, and the s;lvery ripple of a
woman's laugh.
He glanced up quickly. A gay
party was passing through the works,
with one among them seeming prin-
cess surrounded by her followers.
The gold still fecked her hair, and
the dark lsshes swept the cheek Of
purest ivory. Time had but made
her more beautiful.
She glanced idly, indiffsrently,
among the little group Of mon, Of
which he formed one.
II see nc one here I recognize" she
said, in tho old, sweet, soft voice, and
passed on.
She had come home, then, during
his absence. He had seen her. The
seven years waiting was over. What
had they brought 2
The machinery slipped into its
place, but Alex Varnon, with a
strange pallor on his face, went out
silently from the mills. Not. as once
before, to find relief in tears. He
was man now. He only knew that
something was bursting within him
a bitter disappointment, to which he
could give no name, but which he
could only bring out into the air and
lest it stifs him.
Far out into the open country he
walked, with great strides, knowing
neither fatigue nor consciousness that
it was unnatural that he should not
tire.
Suddenly, on the road behind him,
came horses quick hoofa. He step
ped aside for it to pass, but the rider
drew rein at his side.
ut is Alex" said q sweet voice,
close in his ear ;"I know that I am
not mistaken"
And az in q dream he saw held ont
, L.: ...xkl.+xJ 1.n1 II.