Daily Republican., 1888-11-28
ALUORY n1IsHAP.
BY MRS Il. BURKE COLLINS.

John Brent, M. DIP said the
gilded sign before the door of a nea,
office in a Southern country town
And John Brent himself-tall ana
1.-the, with frank blue eyes and curly
brown hair-sat In his Office, one dav.
before a desk where he was busiiy
writing.
He was preparing an article for the
physiological Journal; but somehow
bis thoughts would wander, and he
found It difficult to concentrate his
mind upon the dry s-dust subject be-
fore him. He threw his pen aside at
last, and leaned back with a weary
sigh, resting his head upon one shape.
ly hand, while his eyes persistently
sought the open door. Outside the
hooking. birds sang like mad In the
tall China trees; there was a crisp, de-
licious tinge OF early autumn in the
air; already the great wagons laden
with bales Of snowy cotton were be-
ginning to roll into the village, to the
railroad station, there to deposit their
precious freight, A thoughtful look
came into John Brents face.
ut Is nearly four months nowp' he
exclaimed, half aloud. ''Bless mel
How time hiesl Yet never, never
was 9 summer quite as long as thlsi l
have found out during this memorable
summer just how cruel, how deceitful
and reVengeiul woman can belT
And John picked up his pen once
more and went resolutely back to his
work; his fnce set and stern, and a
look in bis eyes which showed his de-
termination; or that bard headed OBJ
stinGcy upon which so many men
pride themselves, misnaming It firm
ness and deciaon.
And yet l can scarcely believe It of
hor-even nowW he added, as his zen
went on scratch, scratch, scratching.
and the white page before him began
to I'LL with wonderful ideas and
thoughts evolved from long and serl
Gus study. So therel the reader will
perceive that, as usual, there was ga
woman In the case."
Silence fell in the little office, broken
only by the sound of the pen as il
raced over the paper. Then the clat-
ter Of wheels, and John found himself
glancing up Involuntary Just as a
basket phaeton whirled past, drawn
by a fiery little pony, and driven by a
lady-all alone,
A girl with a pale face and large
brown eyes; o rebellious expression
lurked about the pretty, red mouth;
and the naughty little head held itself
with stately grace which BETRAYED
high spirit. Well, yes, must confess
that Jessie Darrell was trife quick.
tempered; but, like most qulck.tem.
pered people, there was tinge of sun
shine In her nature; she was swift 10
forgive, and generous to a fault But
as she drove swiftly past DIR. Brent's
Office the naughty head, In its big,
stylish hat, never turned to right or
lett and the brown eyes apparently
did not see john Brent at all But
any woman in the world will under.
stand that this assertion must be taken
with grain of salt;tor Jessie was per
fectly well sys-S;ApgstlEs Sohn bEans Bat
at his Old window, pen In hand, and
tIgsa ne could not help seeing her
rive by. Her white teeth shut closely
together, and low under her breath she
81 can show as much pride and
spirit as hel l am on my way now to
consult physician for mamma; / shall
call at Dr. Steele's office, and DR.. Brent
will see that we need not dispense
with medical attendance Just because
he hates me SO bitterly"
The pony was drawn up before the
office of DIR. Steele, and there was
tlutiering Of white drapery, and then
Jessie was inside, interviewing the ef.
Terminate young physician.
Having explained her mothers all
ments and receiving the medicine
which he prescribed, she allowed DR..
Steele to place her In her phaeton, and
then the pony's face was turned home
ward.
As she passed DR.. Brents office, the
busy worker did not glance up. The
girl sighed YEARLY.
"How could have been so deceiV.
edf" she said TO herself with bitter
emphasis. 81 believed in John Brent;
I--I--cared for him as ! have never
cared for any one-as | shall never
care for any one elsei And then came
our foolish disagreement, which ended
il daTuright quarrel; and I-I--'-
there was a piteous look in her tear
filled eyes-"f heard that he said that
he had no respect for a coquette such
as l, and that he hated mel Well"-
with flash Of temper don't think
a gentleman ought to say such a thing
OF lady, One thing is certain
for my part l would die before l would
allow Dir, John Brent to prescribe for
mel"
And alone in his office, the pen laid
aside, DR.. Brent's eyes were watching
the pbaeton as long as il was in sight,
while look OF utter sadness was in
his eyes.
II wish l might never see her
morel'' he exclaimed; "the sight OF
her drives me mad. l suppose it is my
pride that suffers, but l wish that /
need never meet her again. To think
that should have humbled myself in
yain-as have done. / wrote to her
alter our quarrel, and told her that l
believed myself to be In the wrong. /
begged her to forgive me, and besought
her 10 write and say that she would
try to pardon and oondone. And she
never answered my letter, Silence,
the silence of the grave, has lain be-
tween us ever since. All, WE'LL no
matter. can live and be quite happy
without Miss Jessie Darrell"