Delta chief., 1883-08-08

and went swiftly down the aisle, out in
to the darkness, away from him.
/ never knew just how Ralph Hare
met the mystery Of that night. A keen
regret followed my impulse as 1 sped
backwards on the other train. 1t died
bit at the sight of little Childie
asleep, with a smile upon her face, and
a spray of her lovers roses clasped
tight within her hand but this did not
dissuade me from writing that same
hour the explanation which would
surely make all right again between us.
My answer was the single line:
.'Since you could treat me thus, it is
better fulfill my last engagement
The same mail brought letter for
Childie. So it was all over; he was
thoroughly angry with me now; the
face l had shown was nothing to him,
never would be again. l was dumb be-
meath the blow; resolved to take up
life as best l could. quietly, uncom-
plainingly. For it was all my own
fault again, all now through a foolish
sentimentality for Childie. 1t was not
strange, perhaps, that hated her
afresh in the coming days.
The coming days so bright with love
and hope for her! Letter after lettle
came to Childie. always to light her
eyes and paint her fair young face. Till
one day, to my astonishment, she met
one with frown, and, after scant
perusal. tore it impatiently to bits.
An hour later she came to me with
quiet, smiling countenance.
II have just done what l ought to
have done long ago." she said. "Brok-
en- my engagement with Ralph Hare"
Rather. undone what never ought to
have been at all. What ridiculous af-
fair it was! To engage ones self to
man one has never seen but twice; how
could a girl love lover all SO quickly?
Besides, you know. he never was my
ideal. Not handsome. nor brown-eyed
nor tall. have been thinking, Clarrie,
and all these must my lover be"
She WAS openly in earnest. But.
strange as il all was, never questioned
her; | never said more to her. What
WAS it to me. anyway? What. since all
the same. my love was nothing to him.
never would be again? lived my life
still dumbly. though bit sometimes l
paused to wonder If the knowledge of
two such women did not trouble Ralph
Hare little.
! was i'll prepared for the letter that
came that summer evening-that mad
burst of love, regret, entreaty, which he
had sent to me. But from such shocks
one rallies lightly; it was not many
minutes before. with glowing eyes and
burning cheeks. was rcveling in love
and the blissful future As wildly as any
day in life. For pride was quite dead
in me
1t seemed only embarrassing the
thought of telling it 10 Childie. But it
must be over with; and that very night
| told her all that was essential of this
matter.
answered, quietly, AS finished. This
is the very. the only. reason Ralph Hare
proposed TO me.
eternally banished any doubt one might
and ! only smiled at her. The next
days were perfect days. Busily sewed,
for we were to be married. it was de.
cided. as soon as Ralph came home.
And Childie helped-oh! SO industrious
ly, and so sweetly-on the wedding
dress; and, at last. all was ready within
He was coming tonight - coming
home to me. How sweet it all was;
how much sweeter even for the troubles
we had had, sat in the little upper
room with Childie, waiting. watching,
never can quite recall
Some one came in. | know. There
were some words about an accident on
the railroad just below. There were
other words. at which Childic shrieked.
but which could not remember. And
then | sat and looked duly out at this
strange thing coming up the path.
II was-my lover. Up the path, up
the stairs he came. but his feet did not
turn TO seek me; without n word or
look for his plighted wife. he passed on
to that other room.
So he came home to me! Yet in
time for his wedding day. This was
the fancy in my seething brain as.
when, at last found myself alone, l
stole away to that death-chan.b
1paused involuntarily on the sill.
One was there before me-a little figure
with blue eyes and golden hair, talk
ing, not unto herself.
at was foolish, know. dear, but l
guess love often comes that way. l
know | have been loving you, loving
YOU, oh, so tenderly! since that little
minute! And you thought. she thought
did not care! For. remember now, l
lied to you both. You see the neigh
bors talked. and Clarrie talked little
in her sleep, dear, and things l heard
made mo fancy YOU did not love me-