Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-07-01

lips for the last time. In all his
life he knew he would never love
another woman as he did Beth Har-
court, and it was a grander love
than she had before
Il am going to India on business
next week, Beth,n he wrote after
ward, 'and if l can III find Jack
Rainford."
So he sailed away-and the ship
/ was lost and Philip Dinsmore never
reached Jack Rainford
After that Elizabeth Harcourt
was never herself again; and as the
years rolled on she was left alone
with her faithful servants in the old
stone house. Somebody said that
Mr. Rainford married the daughter
of some wealthy merchant, but he
never came back. Something had
gone from her life with each year,
and now at forty, the very last
thing had come and the old home
must go.
No wonder on that early winter
morning Elizabeth Harcourt was in
despair She had had so much to
bear From the night Jack Rain
ford left her in anger she bad never
been really happy. That hot temper
her mother had warned her against
-ah it had been cooled since then.
No one who saw her bending over
the sick bed in the poorest cottage,
would guess that beneath that calm
face there had ever been anything
but peace.
Now she lay with wide open eyes,
thinking of the past, and in her ears
were ringing old nurse Blackitt's
words to her, "she will take an aw-
full sight of soberin'."
Just then there came a knock at
the door, and Elspeth's voice say
ing:
"Miss Elizabeth there is strange
gentleman down stairs who wishes
to see you a few minutes. He looks
as if he was from London"
The lawyer from London Miss
Harcourt's heart gave quick throb
as she arose and mechanically glanc-
ed at the little narrow looking glass
between the windows. There was
red spot burning on each cheek, and
the brown hair had lost its smooth,
satin appearance, but she did not
notice that to-day, but passed down
to the cool dark room below.
The stranger rose and bowed as
she entered, "a tall man with gray
hair and swarthy skin.
Your letter came this morning."
began Miss Elizabeth, nervously
81 am afraid the house will have to
go for the mortgage"
MY letter" said the stranger
81 think there must be some mis-
take"
Il beg your PARDON" Miss Har-
court said, "but are you not from
London ?'
The stranger took step forward,
"Beth," he said, "have l changed
so completely that you do not know
me ?"
Jack I" she gasped; you cannot
be Jack Rainford ?n
Such different meeting from the
one she had planned in years gone
by Instead of passionate kisses
she quietly shook hands with her
old lover, and sat down on the chair
opposite to him.
A chilled, disappointed look came
over the tired, worn face of the man
and he arose and walked over to the
window as he bitterly said:
"You have hardly changed at
all but sixteen years in India are not
likely to keepa man fresh and young
especially when they are not par
ticularly pleasant"
Something in the tones made
Elizabeth Harcourt's heart thrill as
in the old days; but she remember
ed that wife in India. The feverish
cheeks grew a deeper crimson, but
she said, quietly:
Are you going to stay for any
length of time in England, Mr..
Rainford Is your wife with
you 2"
| with - clarified loOly no turnad