West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-08-22
BETWEEN TWO STOOLS,
CHAPTER I.

WAL u.
al have something to tell you,
Mary
Mary Ranley let her work fall into
her lap, and looked up nj the speaker.
She was n tall, slim, dark haired wom-
an OF seven or eight and twenty. with
plain, patient face, and wistful ewes.
She wore dress of u quiet gray tint,
and the roo i'm viii n she was seated
was furnished with all good taste that
nowadays is consistent with strict
economy She had not single clam.
in feature or coloring, to any of the ac-
knowledged forms of prettiness, and
yet something about her would have
compelled second glance from those
who had obtained first.
We'll Tom, what is it?'' Her face
softcned as her glance fell on Tom Dan
Ners, handsome, blue-eyed, far-baired
Tom, whom people spoke OF only to
praise. They had been p'ayfcliows,
these two, who were alike only in wears.
They were lovers now. and they would
be husband and wife one day; at least
that hope had beautified existence for
both of them dur no seven wears.
Seven years. 1t is big slice ont of the
best part of the allotted three-score and
ten. though it was only lately that one
of this faithful pair had begun TO think
50. The other had never thought il
yet. What is it You have to tell me?''
Tom crossed the room, and bent
over her to stroke her HAIR The move
ment was caress, and then it enabled
him to avoid hereyes.
81 have been offered an appointment
At Rangoon."
AT Rangoon." She echoed the
words without any information of sur
prise. THAT is-'
-In Burmah. AS if Won did moi
know that and everything else, my lit.
Tie scholar; and Ran , on is n b q place
with openings for lots of fellows.
S.ephens has written, saying he needs
partner and so | think, if Won don't
mind that shall go out there ir a
month or two. ~
Mary Ranley did not answer. In the
pause that ensued she heard the pur-
ring of the cat on the hearth, and
smeiled the faint odor of the IN pnon-
cite growing in the window-Lox. She
knew quite well that the linnets outside
were piping to the roses, and that Tom
Danvers was waiting for her answer:
but she also knew that her pulses we g
growing fainter and fainter. and that
the weight of long-dreadcd blow had
fallen.
'Are you not getting on here?'' she
asked after pause. II thought Won
told me that your work was increasing:
thought you expected that we might
marry in the SPRING
1t was all mistake, due to my con-
founded hopefulness. got n new case
or two when Smithson was away for
ms holidays, but he holds the patients.
and will 60 on holding them he fact
is Mary, there is not scope here for
two medical men, and ! knew that.
though settled IN the place when YOU
wished IT, But have not made a hun
dred pounds in the past twelve months,
and you know that means failure. 8"
but make a good deal by my teach
ing, and thought that, working to-
gether, we might get on.
That Is quite out Of the question. -
nc said, fretfully, turning away from
the pleading, pat ent eyes. al am not
going 10 have my wife drudging all day
long that we may not starve. IN sun.
port her myself, or do without her"
] he pale hands living on the piece ot
needlewOrk pressed each other a little.
then the sweet voice spoke softly and
firmly"
Il have been thinking often lately.
Tom, that ysu would be wiser TO do
without me. You see we have known
each other 50 long that we have really
grown 10 be more friends than lovers.
aud am far Older than you i'm reality.
thou not perhaps in years. and so /
can not help believing at Zines that our
engagement has been mistake
"Ob, you do, do YOU" wrath -ully.
you sec 10 has lasted seven yrar,
now aud IN seven years. You know.
your science teaches that we chauqs
completely, and 30 I think. Tom. daal-
that 10 would boo far betterif 20 pIanns-;
your future without letting any thougbl
Of me hamper you am .are cuou0b.
YOU know the high school PAYS me a
comfortable salary, aud have gron n
accustomed 81 ne routine Of life with
Mrs Oillet, end so. dear, J can offer
quite honesty ~ set YOU free She
was smiling a. him brasely. and her
ewes were very clear and brivht. but
enc bad an idea tina, Der heat W..
weeping.
on are tired Of me J .upro e.,
, on imagine that / am likely ~ ba a
failure and you women care on,r f.2
success, he answered, bitterly.
81 suppose the working ou ~ s
fup" That succc comes some Oh. d.
the steady and patient s
the Irs. hard tone sounding il =
voice
And have ] not been ther2''
dear Tom, don imagine that v,i.h
% find fault % critei-e. love v.. ,.r
Zoo well for that there is mo- one fn aIl
the world as ar % me a. you arc.
But do YOU not think yourself That our
engagement has been too prg,racfed TO
seem hopeful. Dow2 You don't feel e.
a. do:it seems o. take alI ms strength
away 20 sec Our lfe together always
slipping further andfurlsz -