Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-07-13

All three laughed merrlly.
The ice was broken-Carl was one of
them.
Looking back at that heur, as the
weeks sped on. how strange it seemed
to lock beyond.
b fore Carl came seemed almost II
blank, so did his young life fill the place.
Jessie never had had brother; but
she felt this gap in her life was filled
now.
She and Carl were sworn friends.
1t was he who rode with her when
James cared not to go-who walked
with her when James was busy who
stood ready Mt all times to be her hum
ble and devoted cavalier.
She had expected n mere boy; she
found a travelled man of the world, full
ten years her senior.
When she told him her plan to fill the
house, he would not listen to 1t.
Let us be alone" he pleaded; and
she was but too willing to give assent.
1t was joyous summer.
They allowed no sovereignty save
baby.
Over all three, he held undisputed
sway.
"You have made my uncle young
again, Carl said to her, one day.
"Hush!" she replied. Tnat is trea-
son. We cannot make him what he
already is, or return to him what he has
never lost"
You are happy?' James would some
times say to her, yearningly-"quite
happy?" rs though he dared not believe
in the sunny brightness of his life.
"Jessie," Carl began once, as they
sat alore together, II am going to con-
tide to you secret no one knows as
yet, not even my uncle. am in love.
I have been fighting against 1t myself
for long, In my wandering life l have
grown sceptical rs to married happi
newed my confidence. and intend to
put my fate to the test. and If Ian. for
tunate, next summer l shall bring my
bride here. Will you open your heart
to her too?"
"Indeed-indeed will" she answer
ed earnestly.
III l.akh hon md
tpem.
"Why do you not tell Jane - she
would often ask him.
But he always answered;
"Wait.
Once he came to her with letter Ill
his hand, his handsome face alight with
joy.
at is I'll right, Jessie" he cried out.
"Oh, can l tell you how proud and glad
I am? And it is to you [ owe it. II is
you who taught me the power of 1--we
what it is, what it may do; you who
have gwen me this happiness l might
never else have tasted. Jessie-Jessie
why did not meet you earlIer?"
"Ok, Carl, you can never love as L
do!' she answered, when something
sounded through the room as she utter
ed tAle last word.
Both glanced up.
The master of the house stood in the
doorway, white and stern, but with an
awful sorrow in his kind eyes.
Jessie sprang to his side.
What is it, darling? What has hap
pened?"
Could it be that she did not know he
hae overheard Carl's last words to her?
he ondered.
Could 1t be that she had grown SO ac-
customed to their meaning that she
could not comprehend the awful vista
they opened before his hitherto blinded
eyes?
| Could it be that she was SO versed III
deception that she could so readily call
up the old love-light in the sweet face,
where he had thought to read the con-
tent he had given her?'
"It is nothing he said hoarsely and
turned away.
Something in his manner hurt and
chilled her, but when they had next
met it had gone.
He was more watchful, more tender
that was all.
OF the long dark hours he had passed
she could dream nothing.
II strove to make her happiness" he
would repeat softly to himself, sat any
cost-at any cost. And it is still all my.
fault; l threw them together. How
we'll they are suited to each other.
With each of them life is just beginning;
with me-oh Heaven-I would that it
had ended ere lived 10 see this hour.
But how can l make her happiness-my
darling's happiness? L will find way =,
and Heaven will forgive the SIM.
Three day passed.
What had happened to her husband?
Once Jessie found his eyes fixed on
her face as though they would pierce
their way into her soul
81 believe James suspects we have
secret" she said to Carl one day. "Will
you not let me tell bim of your happi-
esp"