Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-11-11

AUD0#Nt 414AtIs mat g II Its 100
muchl 1ou know "a overdose IL poison
occasionally counteracth the elect of >
lesser quantity. and / think, with q
smile charm;ngly confidential, ssit il
something the same way with gossip
don't your
Il was Miss Murphy's turn 20 gasp.
Such girl But then one never could
understand Jessica Ray. Miss Murphy
thought it was time 10 20. With the
cessation Of conversation concerning per-
sonal affairs her interest died natural
death. She was averse to wading in for
cign waters. The inodorous pool scum
med over with village scandal sufEiced
her. She feared anght else.
.sGood-by, my dear, with q bewildered
shake of the tinseled bonnet. Il am so
sorry had to tell you. Life is full Of
unpleasant duties. never like to inter-
fere in other peoples affairs Charity,
! always say; charity and silence. If
there IS anything particularly detest it
is tale-bearing. Well, as said, must
be going. Good-by. my dear. I'm so
glad you don't mind"
ssGood- by, = cordially
1--WE all thought, pausing at the door
for parting thrust, ssthat it was to be
not only marriage de CONVEYANCE, but
a genuine love affair on both Sides
'sIndeedl' said Jessica, brightly arch
ing her pretty brows.
And then at last the door clO0ed on
her visitors broad, black-silk back.
The blitheness born of bravado died
out of little Miss Rays face. She
went slowly back to the rose-rib-
boned rocker and sat down
therein for good, heartsick. contented.
mortified, miserable cry. When she had
been very, very young and charming,
and Jack Sutherland anawkward lad Of
ten, their fathers had planned marriage
in the future. The planning stood. by
the way. upon an agrceably substantial
basis, looking at the affair from imam
cial point Of view. Soon after Jacks
father had died and Jack had gone to
live with his mothers relatives in Eng
land. He carried with him the memory
of pair of sweet eyes, for all the world
like big, blue, dew-wet forget-me nots,
for wee Jessica had parted from her play
mate with particularly tender and pro-
testing farewell. Twelve years passed.
Neither chafed-as in novelistic tradi-.
tions bound-against the paternal deci-
sion of Their childhood. No fair English
maiden displaced his first love in Jacks
loyal heart. AS for .Jessica, she had
grown to think of Jack as hero who
was coming across the sea to claim her.
When she anticipated that coming before
her minds eye forth pranced snowy
charger bearing plumed knight.
One day, just two weeks ago it was,
she went down to the drawing room In
response to the servants announcement.
A gentleman standing in the window
turned at her entrance. He came swiftly
forward, both hands extended. his face
Frightening with gay admiration.
ut is-it is-littlc Jessica"
She knew him then Without curveted
no splendid steed. BY his side swung
no ieweled scabbard. Around his neck
was slnng no mandolin. From his
shoulder fell no cloak of ruby velvet.
Not staIwart statured was he, nor raven
haired, nor flashing eyed. Not the grand
creation of her girlhood's sweet foolish
dreams, in truth, rather. his rivals would
have said. very ordinary young man.
But he had GOMEZ Jessica's heart gave
great throb A true woman though.
ergo, an arch-hypocrite, she put her hand
in his with an air of cool surprise,
touch of well-bred reprOof in her greet
ing.
land you are - Mr.. Sutherland 70
Neither had in any way suggested the
odd relation ia whicsi they tacitlv stood
to each other. Both felt the chain that
bound them, for all its massive golden
links very fraii and brittle one in the
passionate strength of youthful impulse.
Neither would be slow to ding it off if
the bandage proved oppressive. How.
ever, it did not. The childish, ignorant,
romantic affection which had been
smoldering In their hearts since the sor-
rOwfnl parting Of the playmates, at q
word, touch, q look blazed up into 8.
pure, and strong. an steady fame. Of
his courtship Jack Sutherland made
short work. Putting aside the under
standing between their fathers like the
man he was, he wooed her for ner own
sweet sake. just two nights ago he had
told her in his quiet direct fashion how
dearly he loved her. And Jcssica-weli
last evening had come the sapphire ring
that-only last evening and to-day thisl
If Miss Murphy's neat little shell had
not brought death it had caused pain
akin to it.
tits the money!" moaned Jessica
= It's the hOrrid detestable money he
wants. It isn't meI'' And then face
with clear brown eyes and kind grave
smile arose before her and she broke
down crying afresh.
Rl1f after awhile she snranr m rub