The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-10-20

against her white forehead. He tbougbt
she stirred in his arms once but he
could not be sure, and Mrs. Brent was
startled by his baggard face when he
brought her IN. He helped to admins
ter restorat1yes until there was faint
sign OF returning consciousness: then he
went out and threw himself IN a ham
mock on the veranda, only to start up
every few minutes for news of her
At two O'Clock Mrs Brent stepped ont
on the yeranda. \ on must 90 To he'd
now, Mr.. kingsbury." she said, Hes
ter's resting quite cas- now, and the
doctor says there's nothing serious be-
yond the great bruse on her head.
Thank you kindly, sir, for carving
the dear calld home. | fear it's been
too much for you, you look so wbite.''
Thank me ~ exclaimed Jack, with
harsh laugh, you've little TO thank me
for, Mrs. Brent. IN 90 to bed, if there
Is nothing can do for Miss Hester or
you -
1t was late when he awoke next ,lav.
and he hurried through his toilet to get
news OF the invalid. She was better.
her mother said, though the pain in her
head was still so bad that she would
stay IN bed until evening.
Jack spent a solitary d4y He took a
Il
Ing; the upshot Of it was that he went
10 his room and packed all his belong
lngs; then he came down ter supper
with a small bag in his hand looking for
Farmer Brent. The farmer and all the
hands were out IN the fields bringing
IN the last loads of hay, and his wife
was putting away the tea things.
In hammock on the veranda Law
Hester, looking very pale az Jack sud
denly came round the corner Of the
hOuse.
Why, Miss Hester what have thew
done TO your beautiful hair - cried
Jack, forgetting everything in his as
constituent as be caught sight of the
crop of short, golden brown curls which
covered her small head.
'Oh. they cut 1t off last night" said
Hester, scarcely raising the long dark
lashes which hid her hazel eyes as the
color crept slowly into her cheeks.
Miss Hester" said Jack again, his
deep voice trembling, 4 lid not intend
TO annoy YOU again, bUt | forgot for d
minute, coming on Won so unexpected
~. No, don't speak, as she opened
her lips 10 reply. - know all YOU would
say 10 me, bat ven cannot say anything
hall as bad As what I have said and
thought Of myself Yesterday | went
Oft yeNed with YOU ami in beaStlY
temper. then | drank too much cham
payne at dinner, and when | net you
acted like-Well | haven words strong
enough 10 express my contempt for my
own actions in the wagon, and YOU
served me quite right. ] admired your
pluck IN getting rid of me. Thank God
YOU were not killed, as | feared when |
picked you up. | thought YOU were
I D. a-t,
ter. You viii never know how | felt
then. And now the least I can do in re-
turn for all your kindness Is 10 relieve
you o! my presence. 1 came down to
ask your tather to lend me a trap 10
take me over to the Profile tonight.
III send for nv other things tomorrow.
| see him coming over the fields now;
but before l 90 could you bring yourself
10 say, Just once, Jack, [ forgive you ?''
You viii never see me again, though
God knows leave all my happiness
in leaving you.
tie held out bis hand, and she put
hers into 1t.
Jack, she said, in a low, unsteady
voice, 4 forgive YOU" and a great tear
dropped on his brown hand.
Hester " bending over her, are
you But no, you can't be sorry l
am going; it is because you are not
strong, and I have tired ven"
lie dropped on one knee beside the
hammock, 50 that his face was on lev
Ell with hers, and he saw that her long
lashes were wet.
You would not care TO have me stay,
Hester. would YOU Don't you really
dislike and despise me after all 3''
She shook her head
But, Hester, it can't be; you feel
sorry for me perhaps, but if I stay II
must be forever. / could never brace
myself up toanother parting"
She turned her flushed face from his
earnest gaze. but very soft and low he
caught the words: STAY. Jack