Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-10-12


the ship was lost, and Philip Dinsmore
never reached Jack Rainsford.
After that Elizabeth Harcourt was
never the same; and as the years rolled
on, she was left alone with faithful SER
wants in the old stone house. Some
body said that Mr.. Rainsford married
the daughter of rich 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 was to go.
No wonder, on that winter morning
Elizabeth Harcourt was in despair
She had so much to bear From that
night that Jack Rainsford left her i'll
anger she had never really been happy
again. That hot temper her mother
had warned her against-ah it had
been cooled since then. No one who
saw her bending quietly over the sick
bed in the poorest cottage, would guess
that calm face there had ever seen any
thing bat peace.
Now she lay with wide open eyes,
thinking of the past. and in her ears
were ringing old Nurse Blackitt's words
of her: "She will take an awful site of
soberin'."
Just then there came knock at the
door, and Elspeth's voice saying:
Miss Elizabeth, there Is strange
gentleman down stairs who wishes TO
see you for 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 glanced at
the little narrow glass between the
windows. There was red spot burn
ing on each cheek, and the brown hair
had lost It's smooth, satin appearance /;
but she did not notice that to-day, but
passed quickly down to the cool, dark
room below.
The stranger rose and bowed as she
entered, tall man with gray hair and a
swarthy skin.
"Your letter came this morning." be-
gan Miss Elizabeth, nervousIy. "I am
afraid the house will have to go for the
mortgage"
"My letter?" said the stranger, 81
think there must be some mistake"
Il beg your pardon, Miss Harcourt
said, "but are you not from London ?"
The stranger took step forward.
''Beth," he said, "have I changed so
completely that you do not know me?"
Jack - she gasped. "You cannot
be Jack Rainsford %
Such different meeting from that
which she had planned in the 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 chill disappointed look came over
the worn, tired face of the man, and he
arose and walked over to the window as
he said BITTERLY
"You have hardly changed at all, but
sixteen years in India are not likely to
keep man fresh and young-especiaily
when they ere not particularly happy
ones"
Something in the tones made Eliza
beth Harcourt's heart thrill as in the
old days but she remembered that wife
in India. The feverish cheeks grew a
deeper crimson but she said quietly:
care you going to stay any length of
time In England, Mr.. Rainsford? Is
your wife with you ?"
With a startled look he turned and
faced her.
"You know never married. Beth
Harcourt," he said bitterly. 81 never
loved anyone bat you, and you have
forgotten me-"
With low cry she sprang toward
him, and the next moment was sobbing
in his arms.
"Jack, my darling," she said, 'Thave
loved you always, and have not forgot
ten you for one moment of the weary
years !"
If had only known it before" he
answered sadly. "Some one told me you
married the year after I left, and I
thought it was true until one day on
board a vessel, met a lad that came
from here. I asked him about the old
place, and he told me Miss Elizabeth
Harcourt lad nursed him through a
fever when every one else was afraid to
come near him."
Ralnsford stopped and slipped an odd
hoop of shining stones on Miss Har-
courts finger.
"Do you know" he said, "a wild
hope filled me, and said to myself,
IF not will drop it in the middle of
the ocean, and never look at England
again"
Elizabeth looked down at the spark
ling diamonds, and said with q long,
drawn sigh;
sob, Jack, it was only this morning
that I was In despair.
Suppose you let me see that letter
from London ?" he said. II wanted TO
make some English investments.