The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-01-24
MISCELLANY Y.
JACKS TALlSMAN.


sad Has your Uncle Dan disinherited you,
he threatened to do 7"
Jacl Winthrop handsome, dark-eyed
young man glanced up from his contempla-
ton of the strip of beach at his feet, and
turned his melancholy counteuance upon
Cicely Wayne, hlne-eyed, brown haired
maiden of about fifteen.
!" Gloomy prospect" he returned, shaking
his head slowly "Uncle Dan has"
" Cut you of with shilling ?" she inter-
rupted, eagerly.
=. Worse CHS. I haven't an idea of my
future fate"
Poor fellow !" One little hand stole
into his, and the laughing face grew grave.
g am so sorry, Jack. But what in the
world made him do it ?"
Do what 7" he queriea. glancing into
her face with surprise but Cicely went on,
radly:
F." What are you going to do, Jack p"
Going west" he answered, lacouically--
to Chi ago :"
She uttered a little scream, and then stood
IT'LL, gazing steadily into the shining water
at her feet, aud her face grew pale and
thoughtful.
Cicely was very young and inexperienced
She had an idea that matters We're looking
gloomy for Jack He had been her play
mate when they were children, and now
that they were older they were still staunch
friends.
Ia E 4yna an 4 he, adn
ed by his bachelor uncle. Daniel Winthrop,
who had reared him and educated him with
the intention of leaving him his large for
tune.
but Uncle Dan was very eccentric
md very fault-fnding old gentleman, ana
as Jack had a procivity for getting into
scrapes, the constant threat of disinheriting
the boy, sometimes bade fair TO be realized.
"Poor, old Jack !" Cic,ly went on, pity
ingly, in her childish fashion; ~ wish
,ould help you ever so little even. But we
are so poor I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll
/ give you my twenty-doilar gold piece-my
birthday gift, you know don't really
need it; and you will accept it, won't you,
/ Jack ?" she added, ms her quick eyes caught
tight of the flush which crimsoned the young
mans dark cheeks " You will not refuse
ne?" persisted Cicely. q Really, should
not enjoy spending that money, and you.
/ perhaps, in want"
Jack smiled The smile threatened to
become a downright laugh, and curious ex-
preston came into his eyes But Cicely't
ace was very grave as she continued:
/ Aud you'll not forget me. Jack ?"
Forget you Oh, Cecyl"
He caught the girls hands IN his own, and
/ silence followed.
II will accept your money" he added,
after time, struggling to keep down the
/ merriment, which seemed in fair way to
overpower him, and as soon as make my
fortune | will repay you"
Z" But don't want you to pay me-" cried
the girl, earnestly; "indeed l wouldn't
blink OF such thing"
Upon those terms Alone" he went on,
drmly, but his eyes twinkled with mischief,
will consent to take your money. Cice
y, you kind-hearted little thing!"
. When are you going Jack ?"
"To-morrow."
"Oh, Jack !"
Eyes; the sooner the BETTER" he cried,
bitterly, ''snce I must 80 at ALL And ]
may as well tell you goodbye here, az ]
start at sunrise l shall be home in three
years and, Cicely, don't want you to for
get me-"
" How conld | ?" the girl sobbed.
Their the gool-byes were all said and the
two old scbool,nates parted; lit may be for
years II may ~ farnvAr"'
The long months rolled by Cicely work
I'd very hard at school, for her educatiop
Waynes were very poor. and she was pre-.
pairing for a teacher.
] hree years glided by, and when Ccely
Wayne was eighteen she had graduated with
flying colors, from the village academy. aud
hid actually procured a situation as teacher.
During ali this time she heard occasionally
from Jack but his letters were rather Ia
comic, and she derived little Information
from them, except that be was well and
working very harn. and he had not forgot
ten her, oh, no, indeed.
Cicely had not beet long engaged at
teaching when, as ll-luck woul have il, she
became acquainted with an elderly gentle
man, named Simmons; very wealthy, very
poiupous, very ugly. He began at once to
ievote himself assiduously to the young
teacher, and the girl, never dreaming the
truth, treated him with kindness and court
csy. One day, to Cicely's surprise and dis
gust, Mr. Simmons called upon her father,
aud ast ei for his daughters hand in mar
riage.
! He was widower, childless, and with an
elegant mansion, which sadly needed mis-
L.. L. II. l<....