The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-29
her old doubts returning with added


Agatha, however. understood the STU
ation. and sought to make the most OF It
bv cultivating Mr.. John. Baird, as she
affec.ed to believe him. In this she
made but little headway. Meanwhile, 1t
became notorious through the hotel that
Mr. tom" Baird had rambled away to
n village down the river, and had thence
gone to the city, telegraphing for his
yalisc. Some credible people had seen
the dispatch, and it was quite as wen
known that a valise had been sent to Dir.
Tom Baird at his city address. These
little incidents. though perhaps not en-
tircly convincing, at least gave Kate and
Mily an excuse for treating Tom courte-
o1,sly-a liberation of which he made the
most. endeavoTing. by every attention,
20 rcinstaie himself IN their good graces.
The fact is, Tom was desperately, hope
lcsslv in love with Kate and she was 50
far interested as 10 remark. without
seeming offended, several little inconsist-
cncics in his story.
Il observe, Mr. Baird, " said she, that
your friends, when speaking IN haste,
arc quite az apt to call you Tom as John.
Doubtless they confound you with your
unfortunate brother. You must be very
like.
Thereupon Tom makes some incoherent
answer or observation IN q panied. re-
proacnui way. and changes the subject.
At length there was a revelation which
Kate could not overlook if she desired 10;
for Agatha. Jealous that her arts were
vain. and that Tom should be m0nOpo-
lied by her rival. at last said: How
long. Kate, are you going to keep up
that stupid farcel Why, knew all tho
time how it was, even on the boat;
Harry Bishop told ne. Deaf and dumb,
indeed.-Tom Baird deaf. What q jokel
/ presume, however, you regret that he
Is not"
And you knew and did not tell u.s.
said Kate slowly, and with deliberate
scorn. You teach me the value Of your
friendship Miss Vine; You knowingly
witness cur mistake in order 10 further
your own selfish ends
She turned away proudly, passed down
the long porch and slowly away through
q winding forest path. Her self control
was superb. YET at last, when far from
the beaten track. in the heart Of the
woods. she seated herself on rock,
buried her face in her hands and shook
with sobs which she could no longer re-
press-sobs born of bitter modification
at her mistake and the notoriety which
il must soon obtain. Suddenly her name
was spoken, and Tom stood before her
She snrang to herfeet, her eyes blazing
with fire, her face queenly in its scorn.
How dare you, sir, inuude again
upon me! Again dishonorably, like
s9yi"
Miss Norman" said he, with quiet
earncstucss which commanded her atten-
ton, Il stand on tho brink Of cliff; it
is perhap9 . hundred feet down to the
rocks below. i few words | must say
ID vor. sd t1cl. unless / have won your
fcil f-..--reness, | viii swear an oath
ard 10 s,o..c with dramatic intensity
TO throw myself down this precipice rs
some poor atolemcnt, the only repara-
ton LIFT me, for ny folly and for your
tears
What woman could be insensiblo 70 so
much earnesmcss? What woman that
loyedl What woman could ask a man
TO Jump q hundred feet down on Jagged
rocks? 4 handsome man, n man with a
million-a man who. as he told her,
loved only her, and offered TO prove il by
Jumping any time she gave the signal.
As, at last, they walked homo arm in
arm along the Swallowed, sinuous path,
she said. Tom, how dared you swear
you would jump il didn'1 forgive you.
Would you have really jumpedi
"Ch. that's q leading question, my
love. " was The reply. Il probably should
have Jumped, for l felt thorough
wrctchcd ct the time, and hated myself
for having caused you such pain. Then,
TOO. nv dear You may also bear in mind
that / did not really swear I'd jump. |
said in effect that ! would swear, which
l. quite 4 different thing. Again, my
dear Kate. the cliff IS not quite as high
% | stated in my excitement.
"You said one hundred feet, Tom
one hundred feet to tho rocks below"
"Oh, did l. Well, so it doubtless IS,
m dear; one hundred feet to some Of
tic lover strata, perhaus-not to the up
Der ones, however One more kiss,
Kate, Just one; that is really the last
chance. Around the bend we will be IN
plain sight OF the hotel. m. NJ. Cas-,
Jr., in Frank Leslie's.