The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-08-27
HEARTEsROKEN.

You really love him, them" ! said.
could not see her face, for she had
turned from me, and the room was
,hnaky with the lateness of the after
noon | could tell, however, that she
WAS twisting her hands together in a
nervous way.
she was Il pretty little creature, and
Iwould have been gladtoseeher happily
settled for life. | had tried always,
in my own poor fashion, to be her
friend-always since the first day /
had seen her, seven years before.
But She had always had trouble to
bear, and why, | could not under
stand. knowing her life was blameless
and of pure motive.
You really love him?" | repeated
rehcctiyely; for ] knew her answer
without listening to it, Remember, y
! continued. striving not to speak un-
kindly, remember your experience.
Remember all you have passed
through Al first your husband
whom YOU thought you loved, but
whose ways-yet let that pass; he is
dead and gone, Heaven forgive him
After your husbands death came
Ray. You would have crawled upon
Your knees in the street for Ray, !
believe, he seemed somild and gentle
He bought you II cheap engagement
ring. Next he absorbed all the little
money you possessed; then he sud
denly disappeared II was cruel, but
you did not lose your mind
Fletcher followed you would have
married Fletcher, but that previous
wife or two turned up to brand him q
bigAmist. Do you remember the
night ynn walked the room with tina
ngonyg Sill you survived. Orator
was u gambler Carleton drunkard
And set you we're fatcd to fix your al
fections ON one, then the other, 1t i
your misfortune. not your fault, t
have a heart too tender. 1t is you
gleat misfortune, irremediable. Tv'
tried e. guard you--but somehow i
has been OF little use"
She had not interrupted my sloy
speech; but now that it was ended
she answered with n sigh:
aYes you have a right to remin'
me, But ! would rather forget tn
past, its burdens and mistakes, ant
though ! suffered so NJ the time,
even think | could forget them now
Then is one thing ! must tell you
Until Imct Randall Fieldint neve
know the meaning Of the word love
And if any thing should happen to dc
prive me Of his affections, shall eth
er die or 80 mad"
hTell me about it again" | said dis
= lrssiopatply. seeing that she spoke n
Idle threat rTell ne without re
serve
"Yes.' she. gently acquieeced, e
will tell you. came to tell you, d
rectIy knew you had returned"
A thrill of pity shot through m
heart for the poor creature, still youn
and frail ni body, ] almost wishe
that could change places with he
for a timc--that ! could plant myse
in her poor little parlonr, and color
the photographs, at which she earne
her daily bread, while she stoul
know ny placid existence, my stron
eetenity, my pever-ruAied stream |
life. tried To scan her features
the dimnass OF the Tnom tried hal
TO see II the sensitive lips quivere
the deep grey eyes were tearsutfuse
"Y0n have been away y month
she began, sand this has all happene
In that space. Love comes so suddel
ly ] never knew before. And strang
~, too, love comes. 1t Is learned
the twinkling OF an eye, Oh, You {
not know--you cannot comprehend,
@No," | said feryently. 81 do NJ
know, thank Godw
Her voice grew tremulous.
"He loves me; we are to be ma
ried very soon. lie is much old
than I-lt is more than forty, L
first came to have some work done.
photograph Of his daughter-n
AHis daughter interrupt
sharply. lsHis dapghterI He is
NidJEetl A6p f9 be I stPprrother?
Hk.Listen," she answered patientl
"a daughter, who died in infanC
Yes, he is a widower, but he has ney
loved hpt me. The Woman he ms
giea WIS unworthy, She ran NV
FROM him. lie Is tree nQWs-and
loves me
aHe never loved but you" |
noaled TThen why the chlldg 81
# the child be dead, you run no ri
Buslet It pass ] hope that he m
MAKE You happy. He Is not poors
mo. he is not poor we can be ve
comfortable.