Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-12-27

TO Talk. Could IL nave been on account
of this visit of Mr.. Jack Ripleyp And
now. as the thought occurred, he be-
came NV are of low voices in the arbor.
Before he could rise and move away
these words in Josic's voice. slightly
raised, came distinctly to his ear;
Il tell you Jack, no one suspects us.
But you come too often TO the house.
You must keep away, and this must
positively be your last visit before"
Her voice sank and the rest was in
audible. But Il reply came in mans
tones--low and tender and pleading.
You are sure that you will not fail
mo at the last-that | may trust inn
plicitly to your promise?"
Then more murmNrings; only broken
sentences came to the ear of tho un-
consciously spell-pound listener.
"What would the Doctor say if he
knew this?"
Why, think he would not exactly
approve. came in Josie's laughing
voice; "but so long as l am unmarried
1 have right to consult my own in
clination. AS to papa. he will be
angry with us. of course. but only for
a time. You will yet see him with his
benevolent face glowing with a smile
of satisfaction. while he spreads out
his dear pudgy hands and says: Bless
you my children!
And they both laughed.
just then q servant 8 voice was
heard:
Miss Josie! You're wanted in the
parlor, miss"
There was a sudden rustling of the
roses as the girl sprang up.
Remember. Jack, tomorrow even
ing at s precisely. Can you see the
dress have on--brown over striped
understand? Well, it will he this dress
and thick brown veil. And You must
be standing exactly by that poplar tree
l showed you. Goodby! You had bet
ter leave by the garden gate instead of
going into the house
Then the doctor regained sufficient
presence of mind TO move away and
seat himself as far as possible from tho
open window.
Josie came in flushed, excited, and.
despite her evident effort To appear as
usual. shy and constrained.
The doctor did not remain long. He
felt too shocked and wounded to know
exactly what course to pursue in this
] =
He would 90 home and think it over.
Aud the result of his thinking was, that
he concluded to say nothing to jose
phine just now. but to watch her move
ments the next evening and find some.
thing more definite by which 10 shape
his course.
1t was little past o clock the next
evening when watching from his office
/ gls..,v H. 81
down the steps of her fathers house,
attlred in the brown and striped dress,
and little hat, around which was tied
brown veil.
He saw her face before she pulled the
folds of the veil close, and even caught
her glance rs she looked shyly over to-
ward his office. as if fearful of being
seen by him. Then she walked on very
fast, while he followed at safe dis
lance.
Sine went first TO house in which
ne knew a sister of her father resided
Mis- Almeria Chase-a well-to-do
maiden lady whose pr,m and severe
aspect he had never liked.
Here she remained about half an
hour. then reappeared, walking hur-
redly as before. and taking her way
not homeward but toward the suburb s
of the town.
Entering sort of lane or narrow
road. with a thick hedge on one side.
she came in sight OF poplar tree at
the turn of the lane. Here man was
standing-a tall. handsome young fell
low-who on seeing her. came hastily
forward AMI received her apparently
half fainting. in his arms.
At the same moment he made o sig.
nal, and carriage. until now hidden
by the turn of the lane, came up.
The two hurriedly entered it and they
drove away at a rapid pace. They
were clearly go 'ng TO catch the north
bound train at the nearest station.
The doctor, although he now under-
stood the plan, made no motion to at
tempt to oppose it.
'.lf she prefers him to me, le, her
CO." he sad. and. in forlorn wretched-
ness and bitterness of soul, returned to
his Office.
The Chase house opposite was shut
up and the windows closed, as though
its life aud light had forever departed.
ID the parents know as yet what
had happened? Should he break it to
them-more gently, perhaps, than 9TH
ers would do, and in their woe find
some soothing for his own?
He walked slowly up the front steps
to the porch. and there fingered. Ho
could not find it in his heart to enter
the house where her presence was no
longer. and it was with an effort that
he gave the bell knob pull which
seemed like the enchings of his own
heart-strinoS.
The door was instantly opened. and
turning he beheld josie standing
sulIenly before him.
Il have been expecting you for
more than an hour" she sad. But"
catching sight of his pale and startled
face, "what is the matterP Are you
illt"
mo; but IL don't understand. 1
did not expect to see you. l thought
you had gone away"
Como awayP"
''Yes-with Jack Ripley" he said
sternly.
And Josie. to his surprise broke into
n laugh.
Then. chancino she became very