Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-08-11

evening, to Miss Southern, younger
daughter of f. II. Southern, Clayville.
Chester looked at the date of the
paper; it was over month old.
Just then Ned Holbrooke came in.
"Ah, Culver, my boy, glad to see
you. What's the matter-you look
pale rs ghostf"
Chester managed to say something
about "a headache-not feeling well. /"
and that he came to say that he would
go with the party as soon as they were
ready.
"Glad to hear It, Culver, glad to hear
it; sure chance of making money.
Don't be in hurry" as Chester rose
to go.
Once in the open air, Chester tried
to collect his thoughts and realize what
he had Just read, and to his surprise he
found he had the paper still in his hand.
There was no mistake; he read II
over and over again. Younger daugh-
teri" Jessie was the younger. She had
only one sister, Glyda, and she was two
or three years older.
Never thinking for an instant there
could be m stake, he seated himself
to write to Jessie,
What should he write? Tears, which
were no disgrace to his manhood, filled
his eyes.
At last it was finished, and read as
follows:
"JEss1E-I know all, and you will
never see me again. l start for Mexico
tomorrow. May heaven bless you'll
"CHEsTER CULVER"
The next day found Chester on his
way to Mexico.
Let us now return to Jessie.
She has changed, we can see that at
a glance, and instead of the willful,
thoughtless girl of seventeen we see
before us the blossoming woman.
The sweet mouth is trifie sad, per-
haps, and the dark eyes wear trou-
bled, far-away look; yet she is is the
same warm hearted, affectionate Jessie
of old.
She had received Chester's last let
ter, but knew not where to direct re-
ply.
She wrote to his old address, asking
for an explanation of his strange let
ter, and telling him of her sisters mar
riage, but the letter was uncalled for,
and 50 returned to her.
81 shall never marry" she told her
mother; for feel positive that Ches-
ter will return to me-"
Mr.. Southern felt very much worried
about his daughter.
Another year passed, and during all
this time she had not once heard from
Chester.
"Take her away for q change. II
will do her more good than oil the
medicine 1 could possibly give her."
the family physician said, in his bluff,
hearty way.
SO Mr. Southern decided to take
Jessie with him to New York. He felt
very much afraid she would refuse to
go, as nothing seemed to interest her
of late.
The next morning at breakfast he
ventured to remark that his business
called him to New York, and, turning
to Jessie, he said:
Jessie, dear, 1 am sorry start SO
soon, for if you could get ready ]
would take you with me-"
He watched her closely, half expect
ing refusal, but Jessie quietly an.
swered:
"Ishould like to go very much, papa"
And so it was settled.
Glyda had been very anxious for
Jessie to come and stay with her
awhile. Since her marriage to Will
Bernard she had lived short distance
out of New York, in the lovely little
suburban town of l., but until now
Jessie had not cared to go.
Mr.. Southern thought if he only
succeeded in getting Jessie there, her
sister would insist upon her remaining
for awhile.
And it all happened just as he ex-
pected, and he returned home leaving
Jessie safely under her sisters care.
81 intend you shall have gay time,
this season, my DEAR" said little Mrs.
Bernard, "and we W II try and Danish
the lilies and cosy back the roses to
these pale cheeks
Really, Glyda," said Jessie, anx'
iously, Il had much rather remain
quietly at home with you and Baby
Bell. l don't care for society since
Tears filled the mournful dark eyes,
and Jessie hastily caught up Baby Bell
and buried her face in the soft golden
curls that covered the little head, tc
hide the tears she could not control.
Baby Bell laughed and crowed with
all baby's glee, and soon Jessie was
laughing at her funny little ways.
Mrs. Bernard felt positive Chester
had forgotten Jessie, and would never
return to her, and she felt sorry to
have her sister give up all society and
remain so secluded for his sake; "for, !"
argued Glyda, eff he loves her why
doesn't he write to her?"
SO she devoted herself entirely to
making Jessie happy, and to all out
ward appearance she succeeded.
"Oh, if Jessie would only give up all
thoughts of Chester Culver, and be
content in the love of Walter Law
renee" said Mrs. Bernard to her hus-
band, one evening, as they were seated
on the veranda watching Jessie and
Lawrence coming slowly up the path
leading to the house.
"What a handsome couple they
make" continued Glyda. "Jessie's
black hair and dark complexion con-
trasts so nicely with Walters blue eyes
and golden hair." And in truth they
did make q pretty picture.
Jessie had her arms full of apple
blossoms, and Walter had fastened a
spray of the fragrant pink buds in her
dark braids of hair, which lent an
added color to the dusky cheeks.
Jessie came slowly ND the steps and