New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-03-28

mine was occupied, and / was about to
change mine, when heard a name that
enlisted my attention at once; so 1 be-
came an unwilling listener to the con-
vcrsation that followed.
ebert, what do you mean to do about
Miss Lena Mays? You are going it
pretty strong in that quarter, old fellow,
it strikes me-
"Confound it all, jack I heard the
voice that loved best say, II am more
in love with her than anybody l ever
saw
"Bert, my friend, are you doing rightp
Do you forget the wife up in the Blue
Mountains, who has at least nominal
claim on YOU
"My God! Jack, can't you let me for
get that as we'll as can? There, for
give me, old fellow; am villain, l
know, and you are true friend. But
this new absorbing love has made
coward of me. Every time I see that
girl I say l will tell her my story; but
when l look into her eyes, SO full Of love
and trust-for she loves me, Jack-my
strength fails and l leave her more in
love than ever
':Bert, take my advice; don't 20 near
her again, but leave by the next train,
and try to forget her.
'I'll do it! But let's get out of here;
this hot air stiles me-
How ] got home I never knew, but
somehow got there, and sending word
down that had the headache, and for
no one to trouble about me, I threw my
self on the bed and tried to realize it.
l went over the conversation again
and again, but all could remember
was that Bert was married, and that /
loved him!
Maude came to the door and knock
ed, but l did not answer, and she went
away thinking me asleep.
When morning came rose and dress
Summoning pride to my aid, l went
down to breakfast, resolved to see Bert
once more.
When l entered there was no one
there but Bert, and when he turned and
saw me, he came to meet me, exclaim-
ing:
elena darling, what is the matter?''
wrenched my hand from his detain-
ing clasp, and coolly walked over and
took my seat.
How dared he take my hand, and call
me darling!
Others came in, and enquiries as to
my health followed, thus covering my
annoyance at what seemed a tete-d-tete.
As I left the room Bert followed me,
and saying, Gas leave to-day must
ask few moments conversation, he
opened the library-door and motioned
me in.
l sank into a chair, for l was too
weak from my night vigil to stand; but
he came and leaned on the mantel,
where he could watch my face.
Elena, have come to make the most
humiliating confession man ever made.
No, do not interrupt me, - he continued,
not allowing me to speak. ''Let me
tell my story just as it is.
years ago. too, lived in country
village, and played in the woods with
the birds and squirrels for my compan-
ions.
"1'hen came to the city, and tempta-
ton assailed me, and-I yielded. In an
evil moment l signed name to q
cheque that would have been my ruin
but that the daughter of the man whose
name used loved me. and she made
the offer to buy it back herself If l
would marry her.
.'You do not know anything about
such things, my darling, nor how some
women will do anything to carry their
points.
"Suffice it to say that l am married,
but have not seen my wife for five years,
as she has long since tired of the toy
she bought, and lives as free life APP
parently as do
He paused, and knowing that should
break down, arose, and was turning
to leave, when Bert came to me, and
ere I knew it was clasped in his arms,
on my hair, brow, and lips.
Then he as suddenly released me, and
almost pushed me from him.
''There, go!' he said. Forgive me,
darling, but never loved anyone before
in my life, and now it is too Late
He buried his face in his hands, and
sank into q chair. ! went up to him
and laid my hand gently on his bowed
head.
"Good-bye, Bert l said. II pity
you, but | have fought my battle and
come off victorious. l heard your con-
versation in the coffee-room yesterday"
He raised his head and looked at mo
as if he did not understand.
SIN the coftee-room? Oh yes. Then
you knew the truth this morning.
Eyes, and yet l wanted to know the
whole truth, so let you tell your tale.
But now l must leave here, and | will
say that | pity you from the bottom Of
my heart.
elena, if we had met without this
cloud between us, what then?' he asked,
his eyes full on me.
ebert, what might have been does
not concern us. and our present forpids
other feelings than friendship; so good
bye, and God bless YOU
He took me in his arms and kissed
me as we kiss our dear dead; and SO we
parted, my love and l. [ came very
near happiness once, and the crown Of
womanhood was almost on my head : but
l like my life in my own dear home,
and the episode of my girlish days that
made me the old maid am has lost its
deep anguish.
It Game by Night.
A Detroit woman, with neighbors who
ora datnrrnipod RI Lrou, OIL about L.u