Dodge City times., 1885-03-05

had the uncomfortable accident of run
ming into q man-not metaphorically
into his arms, but literally, l ran into thu
man himself. l could not have done *
| if he had been walking, for, as said ths
moon was full, go he must have beer
lodging amongst the trees to be run into
OF course he begged my pardon, and l,
little surly at the fright he gave me
granted it. In doing SO l looked at hin
-"Good heavens!" l exclaimed, sis i
you, Miles Middleton, or you ghost?"
"How did you recognize me after al
these years." be asked, half pleased, hal
disappointed.
"Come in" said, being at my owl
door. 1--WE cannot stand talking at mid
night in the Streets"
let myself in by the night-key, anC
put up the gas light to its full power be
fore turned to welcome poor Miles bach
to his native village. For twenty-five
" ars he had been away, for twenty-five
years his name had been spoken by hii
friends with hated breath, as if he were
amongst the quiet dead, or far worse
amongst the SHINING. In the glare Of the
gas light turned to look at him. 1t wal
the same Miles l had always known
twenty-five years older. never would
have guessed if had not known the date
of our last meeting; twenty-five pounds
heavier, which was an improvement. A
guilty conscience and an impaired diges
ton had not been among his evils all
these wears. His hair had not lost its
color, though it grew thinner on the
temples and on the crown of his head
and his eyes had the same frank, fear
less look in them, his mouth the same
winning emile.
"Oh, Miles," cried, with both hands
outstretched, "why did you ever 90 away
and all these years make no sign?"
Because" be answered, taking both
my profered hands, Frances doubted
me-"
"How do you know she did," l asked
You gave her no chance to speak. PeO.
pie said dreadful things of you which you
did not deny, but ran away"
Il did not rum" he said, hotly; 81
stayed quite long enough to see that some
friends doubted me, not you, am sure
Even that could have borne if Frances
had been true"
"You gave her 70 chance" main
tanned. "Do you think have forgotten
that miserable evening? 1t all seems as
yesterday; the birthday fete, the color OF
thesunsetclouds, the pink ribbon Frances
wore in knot at her thr Poor girl
she was as white as her dress when her
own father accused you Of"
"Why do you not 60 on and say steal
ing?" he said, sharply.
Because we don't use such ugly words
nowadays; embezzling is more genteel. l
was indignant and said foolish things"
"And Frances said nothing" he inter
rupted.
"Did you expect her to get into rage
as mere friend would have done? Be-
sides, you would make no denial. Her
pale, pleading face did not move you.
If they chose to believe such things of
you they might you said in foolish
PRIDE"
"You forget how young l was, and
how hurt was" he answered, softening
under my vituperation.
IL remember Frances was some years
younger, and frightened for as we'll as
hurt. You gave her no chance to re-
trieve hurried first step, or rather a
mistaken inaction, for you went at once
away-the best thing you could do, some
said, but the most cowardly, thought,
and left no trace for all these years."
81 said l would not come back until l
could bring proof of my innocence"
THAT was not necessary to those who
really cared for you. Besides, the man
who took the money confessed he did so
ten years ago. Death forced him to con-
fess. But this is, fancy, no news to
you"
81 heard it last week." he said, and
then added, "You have just left herr"
"Yes," said, I'VE have been keeping
her birthday"
81 heard her speak to you at the door.
Has she changed?" he asked, and then
looked as if he wished he had not.
"Most of us do in twenty years." said,
evasively. "You seem to have the secret
of keeping young. Frances will be pleas
ed" 1 added, partly because myself re-
sented seeing him q handsome, middle
aged man, while she had faded out of all
her girlish prettiness.
"Her voice has not changed in the
least" he said. 81 would have known it
anywhere. Do you think she will see
meF
"She must" 1 said, with decision, and
we planned their meeting. l was
to send to Frances early in the morning
before there was any chance of the men
ton of the advent of stranger in our
placid village. So the trysting, after
twenty-five years Of separation, was to be
in my parlor. "Poor Frances!" 1 thought,
as l lay awake thinking of the meeting
next morning, "your forty years have not
brought you the calm, steady pulse, and
the pleasant monotony you covet. Can
be more stirring and upsetting
than an unlooked-for honeymoon at for
ty? After all, it is doubtful whether we
are ever too old to escape responsibility
or heartache, or, perhaps, a happiness.
Miles came before Frances; indeed be-
fore had finished my breakfast. He
was dreadfully nervous and fearful she
would not come in spite of my nicely
worded message. There must have been
some stirring in the air, some bird to
hint q secret, for l never saw Frances,
faded as she was, look sweeter. 1t was
like the smell of withered rose-leaves,
and the faint pink of them was in her
cheeks.
81 have birthday gift that came too
late last night to bring you," said meet
ing her on my threshold.
The pink in her cheeks died out for
then came back in the loveliest
girlish blush. "Have you had news of
Miles?" she asked. II dreamed last night
he came back-the same handsome fel-
low. You told me l would see ghosts"
81 did not mean to prophesy such a
one," said quickly, and then
gently pushed her into the parlor, clos
ing the door on them, leaving them to
while 1 dreamed of we'd
ding and brides cake.
For no one could say that Frances had
outlived her prettiness, for of all beauti-