Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-07-06
A TALE OF TWO WOMEN

Il thought that was all over and done
with. Must We go through with it again, |
wonder2"
And then he took up a timetable and
studied it attentvely for moment.
of course II thousand m les in this bcastly
cold Is u mere nothing for II busy man!
That's undei ST. cd. \ womans caprice
must be gratied at all hazards. My arch
enchantr"ss isn't diving any more than /
am, but | suppose | must go.
CHANGING hurriedly through the mail on
his desk. he ten picked up, from the midst
OF commonplace. Practical. business-h@e
looking letters, slim. sGtiny envelope Of
palcst pink. with FAINT perfume clinging to
II. His whole face softened, and his hand
shook for moment as he eagerly opened
and read the few lines.
My little Mignon!- he said. gently.
But his little MiGnon did not keep him
from taking journey OF a thousand miles
to see June Heatherton. to whom he ha
been engaged year ago; with whom he
lad quarreled iiercely over some palpabie
Irritation on her part; from whom no had
parted in bitterness and pain, and yet with
half-relieved feeling in a corner OF his
heart.
Six months he had been reckless, as n
man sometimes will when woman has
been false and untrue in any particular; and
then she had written him. proudly. tender
ly. saying that. as she had snned. sc
she must be the supplicant-in her anger
she had said she did not love him. but now
She knew better: she would never love any
one else - would he not come back to her?
But this he had declined. politely and
firmly. Now that it was all over he knew
that he had never loved her. and that
1t was most fortunate thing he had found
1t out in time.
Hcr grace. her beauty. her wonderful fas-
cination. had thrilled his blood with Il rap
ture that he thought then was love. but it
was only her false twin sister. Love mad
come 10 him. indeed, but it was a later guest.
and then II sweet face leaned TO him through
the shadows. and its purity and tenderness
blotted out the warm summer beauty OF
June Heathcrton from before his vision.
Yet week later he was in her presence.
".'he evidently still liycs!" he murmured.
sardonicaIly. as he entered the magnificent
hHil OF ficatherton pdter. in which no 81 gas
OF mourning fluttered.
y moment later June entered the draw
ing groom. where he waited.
All. yes, she could stir even his unbelicy-
ing, cold heart.
MY love- my loye!" she murmured.
softly.
And certainly Don Eastern was not tho
kind of man to let the memory Of little
Mignon prevent him from holding beau
tiful yielding form closely in his arms, and
returning clingiug kisses with interest,
when such rare opportunity offered.
But for all this propitlous beginning. Don
Eastern went back to his own home. n
week later, as free as when he left it. He
alone knew the full power of June Heather
tons siren charms, for he was the only
man she had ever loved. He alone knew
OF the tears she had shed; he alone knew
that she had thrown herself at his feet in
all her exquisite. cleaning beauty, and
begged him to take her back to lis heart.
with all the des pairing passion that c wom-
an like her can feel when she sees the man
thai was once her abject slave beyond Eer
reach.
What was her pride compared to tho desc
lation that swept over her when she real
lied that the heart she had trilledwtih was
hers no longer, when she had learned 20
prize it most? And so he W, mt back to his
little Mignon, whose calm, pure lace WAS
continually before him thu ough all his
journey in the bitter winter cold.
A dainty little miestVa would be awaiting
him-the last week or two would drop away
from him then. But to his intense disap-
pontment, no letter was there; he only
waited to grasp this fact fully, and to
freshen up after his tircSome trip. when
once more he started ont.
1t was very d fferent woman from June
Heathcrton that greeted him at the end OF
his journey. Not tall, nor voluptuous. nor
passionate; but flower sweet and fragile.
with dreaming eyes. a sad mouth. and
radiant smile.
faint flush stole into her checks as she
came quietly to him AMI laid her hands in
his outstrctched ones for Il brief moment
she did not even see the love and longing
in his eyes 49, aud tEen he took her in
his arms.
"Mignon, l can wait no longer. Say you
love me.
She looked up Into his face. little
startled. and tremblcd like n bud the wind
has shaken too roughly; but she did not
strive to lNave her prison. and, after u
pause which WIS breathless and terrible to
Don Eastern. she said, graTely and sweetly:
Il love you.
My angel" he said, passionately. Il am
not worthy Of you--not worthy TO touch
YOUR hand: but love you so, little Mignon,
l shall make YOU happy"
And she laid her check against his, por-
fectly happy and listing and content,
STRANGELY enouEh he told her all about
juno Hcathertoa. He hid nothing not
even his long journey last week - and
Mignons face was Swallowed for u moment.
Did You ever love herr"
No, my darling; thought l did, but 1
know better now.
she is very LeautifuiE"
Yes.
And she loves YOU"
He bent down and kissed her. bu: did
not answer.
"Ale you sure-quite sure-that you love
me-"
MY blossom" he murmu 4. with in
enite tenderness, ii you are not the other
half OF my soul. pay God may go to my
grave bcreft."
but you would have married her. she
said. after a little.
Il don't think fate would have been so
crucl knowing my little unknown Mignon
vas my rightfui portion. Remember, dear.
did not know YOU then
Three months later Don brought her
June's wedding cards.
You see, dear" he said. that she did not
love me-
But in day or two came a mad letter 20
him. written bv June on her wedding dav.
And Don Eastern was sorry, indeed; for
Juno Heatherton. despit, her coquetry,
was u girl with a really fine nature. She
was good and n oble in most things, but this
hnreasoning love seemed 10 have over
whelmed her and swept her off her feet
He said nothing to Mignon. He DESTROYED
the letter and did not answer IL.
He was beginning to hope she found
now love to fill her heart, when another
letter came. She had tried to love her hus-
band: she had imagined. if she were mar
ried TO some good man. she could forget
boz wild love for him. But it was in vain,
ana sho vas the most miserable woman on
the face OF the earth.
He said nothing to his@Hu. 1t would
only grieve her, and she was too white &c.!
innocent 10 know anything of such stormy
passions.
third letter came, AMI a fourth. and he
oegan TO DO seriously annoyed. when one
day little nots came from June = Mrs,
Inn NEaWn IL.