Nevada County picayune., 1889-01-23


 child home. I fear it's been toe much for you, you look so white"
 "Thank me! 70 exclaimed Jack with harsh laugh, "you've little tc thank me for, Mrs. Brent. I'll go tC bed, if there is nothing I can do fol Miss Hester or you"
 It was late when he awoke next day, 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 was still so bad that she would stay in bed until evening.
 Jack spent solitary day. He took long walk and did a great deal of thinking; the upshot of it was that he went to his room and packed ul all his belongings; then he came down after supper with a small bag in his hand, looking for Farmer Brent. The farmer and all his 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 lay Hester, looking very pale as Jack suddenly came around the corner of the house.
 Why, Miss Hester, what have they done to your beautiful hair?" cried Jack, forgetting everything in his astonishment as he caught sight of the crop of short golden brown curls which covered her small head.
 "Oh, they cut it 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, Il did not intend to annoy you again, but l for got for a minute, coming on you un- expectedly. No, don't speak, as she opened her lips to reply. II know all you would say to me; but you cannot say anything half as bad as what l have said and thought of myself. Yesterday l went off vexed with you and in beastly temper {; then I drank too much campagne at dinner, and when I met you l acted l haven't words strong enough to express my contempt for my own actions in the wagon, and you served me quite right. ad- mired your pluck in getting rid of me. Thank God! you were not killed, as l feared when l picked you up. l thought you were dead. and through my fault. Oh! Hester, you will never know how felt then! And now the least can do for you in re- turn for all your kindness is to re- Htvc you of my presence. came down to ask your father to lend me a vehicle to take me over to the Pro file tonight. I'll send for my other things tomorrow. l see him coming over the fields now; but before l go could you bring yourself to say just once, Jack, l forgive you.' You will never see me again, though, God knows l leave all my happiness in leaving you.
 He held out his hand and she put hes into it.
 "Jack," she said, in a low. un- steady voice, II forgive you!' and a great tear dropped on his brown hand.
 "Hester." bending over her. "aro you-! But no, you cant be sorry l am going; it is because you are not strong, aud l have tired you"
 He dropped on one knee beside the hammock, so that his face was on level 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?"
 She shook her head.
 But, Hester, it can't be; you feel sorry for me, perhaps, but if stay it must be forever. l can never brace myself up to another parting. "
 She turned her flushed face from his earnest gaze, but very soft and low he caught the words: Stay, Jack, "- Epoch.