The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-07-06
one Lonely Year. |.

One Lonely Year.
Jsssis Adams was not a bad dfn .
leart. but she was too fond OF admi.
ration and therefore frequently led in.
to difficulties. She was betrothed to
Horace Kandall,a man of sterling
qualities, but many years her senior.
She respected him highly, but she
could not exactly decide whether she
loved him or not, and in the meantime
she flirted with Ed ward Swinton. a
young engineer. To his honor, be it
said, he did not know OF her engage
ment.
Jessie and her betrothed were one
Of the merry party who visited the
mines one day where Swinton was EN-.
ployed, AS they made their way
through the galleries in the rock, Jessie
and Swinton found an opportunity to
lag behind.
For a moment they stood facing
each other, then he clasped her impul.
sively in his arms. Horace Randall
was ut the head Of the party.
"Jessie, you know that ! love-"
She shivered ut his words, thinking
OF her lover, but his lips were against
hers and she did not resist. Only for
moment, then frightened look
camo into her eyes. I'VE shall be
lost if we lincer here" she murmured.
1--WE must go at once"
But there was only one in that gay
company who had noticed their ab.
sence, and that was Horace Randall,
and he gave no sign of pain. No one
would have guessed the anguish that
filled his heart.
Then when they were ready to as.
cend the shaft he said he would 90
alone. Jessie, when she was III the
sunshine again, heard the bell ring foI
Horace Randall's ascent. +
Presently some one shouted t|At
there has been an accident in the
shaft.
He is killed" cried Jessie, filling
intp Edward Swinton's arms. The
engineer appeared in the midstT the
confusion with q blanched FACT
'one OF the links must hyfe been
w.'rn and given way" he sad. 1.-THE
rachlnery was in perfect y6rking or.
Ter. and there has never Seen an acci-
lent before"
Soon two of the men were descend
ing the shaft by means of the ladder.
In q few minutes Jessie recovered
consciousness. She threw off the re.
straining hands of her companions,
and walked the floor in mortal ag.
ony OF spirit. All the remembrance
OF Horace Randalls goodness toward
her rushed over her with overwilelm-
ing force-all his love, all his tender.
ness, all his quiet thoughtfulness which
had made up q large part of her hap.
piness-these things came back to her
with all the keenness OF remorse.
Edwin Swinton approached her as
she was pacing q small platform OBJ.
livious to all around her. He COMPEL.
ed her by sheer force of will to stand
still and face him.
"Jessie. tell me, what was that nc an
to your"
His voice choked, he looked the
words he could not utJer.
HE would have been my husband.
Her dark eyes looked into his with
mournful gravity.
"And you-you allowed me to love
you-you accepted my love and kiss.
es."
He flung her hand away almost with
a gesture OF contempt, and left her side.
Jessie bowed her head in silence.
Her treachery had deprived her oil
both loves, the dead and the living.
After the funeral Jessie was called
by the lawyers into the family council
her interest i'll the will being intima-
ted.
She appeared among them as pale as
q lily i'll her heavy mourning. the deep
Grape veil almost hiding her transcend
ent beauty.
When the will was read it was found
that Horace had left her half his for.
tune.
The deeds OF his real estate andmin-
ing property were handed over to her.
She received them. but only to DELHI
erately tear the paper into fragments,
scattering the m to the four winds.
II will not have his fortune" she
said, gravely. Not one penny OF h is
money will ever use-rather would
starve." and no entreaties could
move her from her PURPOSE ,l !; ~, :,
ton confronted her. His words were
quick and passionate.
"Jessle cannot live without YOU
Let the past be dead; only say that
you love me, and let ME live to make
you happy"
All his love was in his eyes. She
trembled beneath his glances; her very
soul thrilled with the intensity of his
passion.
But she put aside her veil, showing
him a face as pale as marble.
"ln one year" she said, "If | live,
you may come to ME, but not before.
ii. you love me then as you do now 1
Will give you my answer"
Not all his pleading could move her.
She remained resolute.
At the expiration OF a year he mp
peared before her. again a humble
suppliant and a passionate lover.
"Jessie, am welcome?"
He did not need to ask. Her ewes
were full OF the woman's love and
longing.-Chicago News.