Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-02-02

respondent llght OF one tallOw candle
But all the next week long in vain
for letter from him. Nothing comes
save two bouquets and three visits from
Mr.. Arlington. am fiattcred, Of
course, yet wretched lest Jack should
hear OF it and be angry.
Next Saturday and Sunday evenings
! look at Jack rs imploringly as dare,
but he is so occupied with some of the
young ladies that he does not even ap-
pear to see me, and / have no other
choice but to accept M. Arlington's
escort.
Another week and then another
drags heavily by. My new admirer
takes NE driving, to the opera, and is
unremitting in his attention, but moth
ing lightens my grieving heart. / can't
forgive him for coming between me
and Jack.
And every day see more plainly
there is something else l can't forgive
him people have begun to talk. Mrs.
Rabbits manner frightens me, it is so
cold and forbidding; the boarders smile
or sheer knowingly as / pass them on
the stairs; even the young ladies l meet
at church begin to regard me with sus-
picion and aversion. A dread Of some
calamity hourly grows upon me.
The climax or all this ANNOYANCE
comes one evening Just as l am going
to rehearsal Mrs. Babbitt enters my
room abruptly, and stares at the finger
where my precious ring is shining. /
gaze back at her in vague terror and
uneasiness.
"Where did you get that there gew-
gaw, Miss Hastings ?" she asks, sharply.
| lift my head haughtily, surprised
beyond words. She goes on in rough.
coarse way:
at was bad enough for you to take
young Arlington's flowers and music,
but when you have the brass to wear his
jewelry it's high time you left a respect,
able uoman's housep'
'Oh, my Godl This, then, is what
they think of me! l shiver and gasp;
the blood forsakes my cheeks.
"When you come home tonight YOU
will find your wretched little trunk on
the front stoop with every dud O. yourn
in it. Don't ask to stay another night
herc-your good name is clean gone
forever"
ooh, Mrs. Babbitt, for heavens sake
don't send me awayl Where can | 90?
What shall dor"
"Ask Ralph Arlingtonw she answers,
with a brutal laugh.
Then bury my face in my hands and
fly past her, out into the darkening
streets, where no one can see the shamed
hot blood in my cheeks.
"Oh, mamma, mammal If | could
only die and go to you" l cry with
thought till reach the church; then l
think that perhaps Susie Woodward
will take me home with her. No; her
greeting is strangely chill tonight, and
| can see that she avoids me.
"Oh, this weary, weary evening! |
grow more helpless and terrified every
moment. But just at the last moment
a ray of light comes to me. Some one
passes me little note.
SWEETEST OLIVE have Just decided
to ask you to be my wife. You need
not write or say anything, only turn
your lovely face towsrd me, and l shall
know mat your answer is yes.
"RALHH ARLINGTON"
His boastful certainty angers me,
but catch at the one hand held out to
save me. Even while / say in my
heart hate him, lothe him." turn
my face blindly in his direction. In
strangle minghng of relief and pain /
droop my head languidly down on
the rail before me. The organ is
out the grand music, the
young people trimming the church are
laughing gayly below; but / can only
feel that l have hidden farewell to hap
piness-- and Jack.
We are almost the last to leave the
choir, so much do dread being alone
with Mr.. Arlington. but at last we go
down stairs, across the almost empty
church, and into the unlighted church.
Then he clasps my hand tightly and in
the darkness | can feel him bending
over me.
ooh, I've forgotten my book |" / cry,
81 must run back for it. "
"What nuisance Let me go !"
he says, rather impatiently.
Mono, you couldn't find it," l say,
and thankful for even a moments re-
spite I hurry back to the organ loft. At
first | can distinguish nothing in the
soft, dusky gloom, spicy with the fra
GRANGE of the eyergreens, but soon |
make out mans figure standing by
the organ. 1t is JACK | run to him
and catch his hands frantically In my
own.
ooh, Jack, I'm too wretched. Ar
lington has asked me to marry him"
Then he is better than | thought
him p
And | had to say yes, for Mrs. Bah
bitt has turned me out; but Pm so
sorry He might-he might even want
to kiss me !"
Quite likely says Jack, with grim
smile, but he looks deeply moved.
Don't Taught" | say piteously. 81
won't marry him--I'll die in the streets
first Oh, / hear him coming
me, save !"
Quick rs thought Jack draws me af-
ter him into the book closet, and closes
the door just as Mr., Arlington enters
the gallery.
Et,lo ,,,,,v hoe .I;n,nI 49,.