Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-05-07
ought not to complain. 1t gave me my nap

companion Wuut liC hio"h''
81 don't know as you'd care to hear, SIR
md there's not many as I'd care to tell.
Won read so many book stories OF the peo-
ple who make up your world, that you don't
have much time to look down to mine. There
are some people who think such as we have
no time to love, but you have seen Mary ana
my boy, and-You'll tell me if tire your
al was careless fellow enough SIX years
ago. not neglecting my work when at my
most, but fond of good time with my COM
panions when off duty, always ready TO &C
cept a friendly glass; and sometimes win
nv head not quite steady when | mounted
nv engine, though the air always set me
right before We had gone far on our way.
zone evening, at dance, l met Mary
Morton. She was the prettiest girl IN 'he
room. sir, and little bit of coquet in those
days, though no more than was natural
with the young fellows trying their best 10
turn her head. 49,.
az was Not long behind the rest. lcouldnt
get her out of my thonehts, but it did not
take me great while to find out the tru'h
Of the matter. had lost my heart. Inc
only question was, would she turn me adrill'
or give me hers for that she had stolenT IL
was many week before got up courage
erougb to determine to ask her to be my
wife Every moment off duty | would
snend with her, until grew to iancy she
used to watch and wait for my coming
"But | was not without my jealous hours
sor all that. How did know how she spent
the time, was so constantly away from her
AT last heard of another dance, to he
given on the night would be OIL duty
could not see Mary until then, but J W"
she would know L'vmhg arrived, found,
wa..'I called for her, that she had already
gone. Perhaps, sir, in your rank of life, you
know, too, what IL is TO be jealous, and how
many man destroys his future happiness
by it.
my first words To Mary were those of
reproach, while her smile at my entrance
died away and her face grew white.
az did not know you were coming John.
How could ~
"'You might have waited then ex-
claimed.
"And stayed at home, perhaps, TO have had
you laugh at me, with the rest. Besides,
am quite satisfied with my escort, and believe
| am the only person to be consulted in the
matter
"'As you will said, turning on my heelf
the word 'Coqucttep between my
teeth, and unheeding the little, pleading
glance she sent from time TO time across the
room to where | stood
"She was not without pride, and If she
suffered from my GOODNESS, she only smiled
the brighter on others, until | grew mad
with jealous anger. That night began a
series of designations with which employed
every leisure moment. drank more deeply
than | had ever done in my life-not as be-
fore, for so-called good will and good fellow
ship, but to drown memory.
81 did not go near Mary for month. TO
me II seemed year. Once, after nights |
carousal, passed her on the street, but not |
until long after did learn of the bitter tears
my haggard face and dissipated air had cost |
her. Finally, my better nature triumphed,
and went to her, repentant, to ask her for
giveness, and perhaps her love.
"On long, lonely night ride / made up
my mind to this, though like thousand
mocking devils, memories Of the moments
had spent In the last few weeks crowded
around me, as though taunting me in con-
Irast to her purity; but with Gods help
would make myself worthy, | said aloud,
and thought the hours would never drag
along, until could find myself once more
N her presence. She came In to see me,
holding out her hand with sweet smile of
welcome, as though We had parted only yes
erday, and yet--and yetthere wasa change
Nh, learned II all too soon In those first
ew moments, told her the story Of my life
or the past few months, Of what 1t had been
'efore knew her--of what II should be If
he would give me the assurance and prom
&c Of her !ove. Then paused For mo-
ncDt silence fell between us; then she spoke.
/ bright flush WAS ON her cheek, her lips
rembled, her lashes yelled her eyes, but her
dice ialtered not
"John, she said, Il am only n girl, it ia
rue, but the man / marry must be Il man.
'erhaps might have loved you'--here IA
remble crept into her tone-'but | have al
most ceased 10 respect you. Were you my
husband, should fear for you, and fear and
owe cannot go hand in hand.
"Stopp said. DO you want u drive INC
ack to the life had hoped 10 have left be-
ind meY Oh, Mary, do not be cruel BE
ny wife, and let me prove the stuff that is in
me-
"'No, John, she answered, softly; but
he blue eyes she now raised " mine were
in tears. If you have seen the
wrong, you surely will not return ~ it,
father, IL you indeed love me, prove your
elf man II does not take battle field
. make hero
approve yourself man These were the
words that haunted me In the weeks that
Dllowed, saved me from the ruin would
lse have drilled into, but torturing me with
heir hopelessness. What hope had | in my
outline Of duty Of changing Marys mind
Yet In spite Of her words, something In her
w had told me that she loved me, and that ,
gave me strength 10 live, and ~ :
the daily temptations Of my life ,
80 six months passed, whsn one morning
mounted my engine to take the express
-ain 10 c.. We were going along at
he rate.of thirty miles an hour, when sud.
emily, right ahead Of us, II seemed, tiny /
peck Of red nuttercd ON the track. 4
II strained my cyes--I blew my whistle. Z
What could II bel Herciful heaven An A
ther instant Il was made clear 10 me. II /
'as little golden-haircd child, playing In
ie very face Of the huge monster Of death
" hand WAS guiding ~ IL destruction.
II whistled Down breaks but rs I did 20, q
new that Il was Of no avail Before the .
rider could be obcyed, II would be- rendered