Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-11-06

ring that only last evening and to day
this !
If Miss Murphy'S neat little shell
had not brought death it had caused
pain akin TO it.
"It's the :..oney 10 m0aned Jessica.
"It's the horrible detestat le money he
wants. Ii isn't me ~ And then "a
face with clear brown ewes and kind
grave smile arose before her and she
broke down crying afresh.
But after awhile she sprang up rub
bing two small resolute fists in two
very pink eyes. 81 won't sec him to-
night. And I'll be in the library at 10.
And I'll hear what else he has Uo-No,
| won't | won't evesdrop. But I'll
meet him there and give him back his
ring. When / break it he can get the
money without taking me. He's well
come to it. hate it But III look
my very loveliest-I will will I"
And she did.
as she came up to the parlors at Mrs.
Bryant's "small and early" Miss Muir
ply always first on the lield-looked
at her in amazement. Quite bewitch-
ing vision little Miss Ray tonight,
rose Tipped, star-eyed, smiling, her
slim, dusk draperies of lace trailing
softly behind her, a huge cluster Of Yio-
lets at the bosom. 1t WAS after 10 be-
fore she could escape from her compan-
ion and make her way to the library.
Her hand on the portiere dividing the
apartment from the morning room, She
paused.
Voices. She didn't intend 10 caves
drop. OF course, it was unintentional
all was said and over so quickly. K
qually of course it was dishOnofable.
but | think as rule we are apt to con-
slider questions Of honor with extreme
nicely when our hearts are very sore.
"I've decided to take her." Jacks
quiet voice was saying weariIy. "It's
the only thing L can do now."
Ned spoke.
"She's skittish. l know, but (by way
of consolation) she may outgrow
that
Jessica groaned involuutariIy. Jack
glanced toward the curtain.
"Well, drop the subject" In low
or voice s'Keep it dark, like good
boy / don't want the people to know
am such a young fool as TO be taken
in by bag Of bones, all paint and
drugs
Jessica was plump as partridge, and
her complexion was ''bloom" patent
ed by natures self. The morning-room
was unlit, save from the hall. Thank
goodness for that She felt herself
growing faint and dizzy. Was that
Jack who talked so-could it be-her
Jack ?
"Oh, come now I" laughed Ned,
"you know you're exaggerating. She's
not quite as bad as that ~
Pretty nearly 10 ruefully. 81 don't
so much mind her skittishness-Icould
break her of that, | flatter myself-but
size has terrible temper 70
She must rot faint, Jessica told her
self frantically. Oh. she must not J
Was that dark thing beside her in the
shadow of the portiere fauteuil ? She
sank down on it heavily, weakly, ex-
haustedly. Horror of horrors 1t at
first succumbed a second to her
weight, then moved, protested with Wig
orous energy, shrieked.
All faintness baHished, Jessica leap
ed to her feet, her soft, quick cry of
alarm mingling with that muffled roar
of rheumatic agony.
"That's aunt ~ gasped Ned.
"Jessica I" cried Jack. He strobe
forward and flung aside the portiere.
The light from the library poured into
the shadowy morning-room. 1t fell on
Jesslca standing just within very white
and trembling, and it showed on the
floor large and ungraceful heap of
crushed drab silk and bugles, disorder
ed 'front.'" and eruesome groans.
For moment they stood and stared
-speechless. But Miss Murphy kept
on groaning.
"What is it all about p" queried
Ned bewilderedly, helping his aunt to
rise.
I'll" faitered Jessica, "sat down
on Miss Murphy ~
"What ?" cried Ned.
"We were eavesdropping," confessed
Miss Murphy, with venomous candor,
" and Jessica took me for a footstool
and"
'My darling ~ whispered Jack (no,
not to Miss Murphy 81 thought when
I heard your voice you were hurt or
-
Jessica famed up.
''How dare you ? Stand back sir
Here's your ring" She tugged brave
lY, but it fitted we'll. II have heard in
what manner you speak of me. No."
''don't appear astonished