The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-11-15
H..
REJECTED.


The two met frequently after that.
Janet lived in a neat little cottage not
far from the station. Her mother was
dead, and she supported an Invalid
father with her earnings.
Gale Cardonne visited her at the cot
tage, sent her books and flowers, and
sometimes walked with her in the woods
that stretched between Northbrook and
the cottage.
Having seen so much of the world,
being rich, handsome and q pleasing
talker, it was no wonder that she became
fond of his society. He, in turn, was
very much fascinated by her, and some.
times wondered why. He had mingled
great deal in society, and had met with
many beautiful and accomplished ladies,
while she was but quiet, demure, ord
mary looking country girl. However.
he was not the only man who had tried
to find his way out of such quandary.
He proposed to her one evening. They
we're standing beside the cottage gate.
The stars were shining softly overhead:
the young moon was just visible over
the low lying hills; q subtle, resinous
odor was waited from the woods; the
frogs croaked in the meadows; an owl
called 20 his mate from his perch under
the caves of the mill.
Why was Janet SO loLg in replying to
Gale Cardonne's passionate appeal? He
saw the color come and go in her face.
He saw her lips tighten.
81 am sorry" she said at last, with q
gasp. her frame trembling.
Sorry" replied he. feeling little
dazed. Because have proposed to
you"
because 1 am constrained to decline
your Offer" she said.
1t required bravery to speak these
words, dictated by duty, when love and
desire wanted so much to rebel.
"Oh," calculated earle Cardonne, red
dening and biting his upper lip.
His hand was a brawny one, and she
saw how tightly it closed on the upper
rail of the gate.
eff knew the reason?" he asked.
"You will not insist" she said, appeal
ingly catching her breath.
Evidently it exists in myself" he re-
joined.
mo, Mr.. Cardonne.
She spoke with rapidity and with a
quick fling of her hand.
perhaps time, Janet"
"No." she interrupted. "It will al
ways exist"
He had used the word exist, and
seemed to think it just the one to serve
her.
"Janet, you are the first woman to
whom l ever proposed, he huskily said.
THAT is true, though I have almost
reached middle age"
Il believe you, sir" she answered ,
humbly, regretfully. "Iappreciate the
honor you have paid me. 1 am sorry"
He did not want her pity. He felt like
Selling her and finging her down the
embankment; but by great effort he
curbed his temper.
II am too polite to insist upon know
ing your reason" he said. "You might
say have not the right to demand it,
and don't know but that would be the
truth. I am grievously disappointed,
and it is such novel, and such a-a-
wretched experience to me that do not
know where to look for redress-or for
comfort, rather. You wish me to under
stand that a chasm yawns between
us"
(which can never be bridged," COM
pleted she, her tone firm. though she
trembled, as he could see in the star
light.
He lifted his hand to his cravat as if to
relieve choking sensation there.
II can do nothing but submit" he
slowly, ruefully said.
He strobe angrily down the path, but
stopped, turned and called out:
Good night, Janet"
The resigned, pitiful tone made her
heart ache as 1t had never ached before.
Good night, Mr.. Cardonne." she
flung back, startled at the sound of her
voice, it was so unlike her own.
She stood alone for . few minutes in
her agony. her fingers twisted into o
knot. an ashen pallor in her face.