The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-05-23

ed until nine o'clock, she never came
back.
Il wanted to ask her to go with me
to the picnic at the Great Gorge" said
Harry to Mr.. Ennis, "Do you think
she will accompany me?"
"Wcll, I don't know" said Uncle
Ennis, looking intcntlyintothc bowl /
Of his pipe. 81 rather guess, by what
she said, that she calculates to go with
jerome franklin" -, -a na -.-
Safford's dark face flushed. vi a
as he a fit associate for herr" said
he.
"No, ! don't think he is, But gals
are queerl" reaectiyely added Uncle
Ennis. "Just ten EN- YOU want 'em
to go one way, and see how straight
they'll start in another"
Harry Stafford wentqawayg with "a
heavy heart. One smile would have
made him happy, but she did not even
vouchsaie him that.
But the next morning there came
news that Jerome Franklin has disap-
peared most Unexpectedly, and so had
Il considerable sum out of the safe OF
Fordyec & Fordyce, in whose legal
chambers he olliciateJ IN the capacity
Of clerk.
And the first thought that flashed
into Harry's mind was;
HsNow / can ask Ruby Archer to go
to the Great Gorge picnic with mel"
And Harry Stafford was not more
selfish than most men,
Just within the cool shadowsof the
Ennis woods he found Ruby herself,
her hat hanging down her back, her
tresses all disheveled, her blue eyes
drenched in tears.
"Why, RUBY" he cried. what is
the matter2", ~Fe -
81 have lost him!99 sobbcd Ruby,
clasping her hands despairingls He.
is gonew
A sudden chill seemed to grip poor
Harrys heart. Had she then loved
his rival so well? Wee they actually
engaged?
). "And it's all my own fault, toow
S continued Ruby, with fresh burst Of
tears. "Unclo warned meagainst hay-
ing anything to do with him. But I
. would have my own way. And now I
| am rightly punished. He's gone!
Jerry has run awayW
6 'Ruby, for heavens sake don't speak
r, thus" said poor Harry.
"But can't help itr walled poor
/ Ruby.
9 tDid you then love him so well;
bitterly demanded the young man.
: Didn't care a snap about himl'
cried Ruby. "But uncle told me tc
y let him alone, and disobeyed. AND
q now he has runaway, and what viii
uncle say? Oh, ] do wish The dog
% catchers had captured him before
n ever unfastened his chain?"
"Ruby," said the amazed lover
rs ".what on earth are you talking
r about?"
Sc "Why, about Jerry, the red Irish set
he ter, to-be-surew said Ruby. "Wha
1T should l be talking about?"
+ "Is that all?" said Stafford, with
rs great sigh Of relief. "Then you ma,
I'd set your heart at rest Gerry is SAT
C. enough. l passed little Tommy Eatol
d, on the mountain-road, few minute
d ago, bringing him home with q chat
OF and rope. 1t is of the other Jerry
am speaking--Jerome Franklin, II
r. has run away, also, with 4 lot Of none
", out OF Mr.. Fordyce's safe"
ne "Has he?" said Ruby, apparent
us very little interested in this. secondar
Ct poice Of Information. We'll, am NJ
at all surprised. / always wonaere
10 where he got the money to pay for S
'eS much jewelry. I'm sorry for his poe
mother, though. Are you quite SUI
that Jerry is safe, Mr. Stafford"
eat "Ycs, quite" said Mr.. Stafford. can
now, Ruby, thatyoueannot go to- IL
'S, Great Gorge picnic with Mr. Fran
'u lin"
me "But was not going with him
said Ruby. ale asked me and sa
m no.
sal "With whom, then, are you 6
my ing?"
with nobody at ALL" said Rub
my with a charming pout. Nobody h
no asked me-"
OK And she looked at Harry from und
ihd her thickly-curling lashes with such
laughing, mischicvious glance, tn
he promptly followed up his advM
age.
'u'' evil you go with me, Ruby?"
oie asked.
oe And Ruby made him low courte
F" and answered, dcmurely
nix !. Yes, pleases sig. Now let u.s. eal
find Jerfyi - srsr ~ pyss
.a Uncle Ennis was doing over I
ID" weakly nonerLbe ha.,.-yead + tw;