Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-09-14

CHATTER T.
He had been telling her all no hat to toll.
and now she stood there quite still, neither
bN word nor glance Vourhsailng the answer
Tor which he pleaded.
I must know the best or tho worst,
/ ,hristinc," no whispered Speak 10 me,
darling"
She started Violently. and vivid color
rushed 10 her checks. Her broad garden
LAT Ind that. tut II could not shut ont the
Sigh which died away in low. half sob.
am sorry II ! give yen pain" she said,
softly. so softly that tie words came al
wiir."
understand" with short. hard laugh;
you will not PRAY. be frank"
~ tn : she silently removed Ter glove and
held out her hand. A soft, white hand il was
and one little finger was cncirclcd by heavy
band II gold.
Not vet" And Miss Ilcrton's voice grew
| ilrmer now. i am engaged TO Arthur
Cover.
Her companion was "a tall, dark man.
with suuuurnt face and heavy mustachc
aad honest brown eyes evidently not the
man 10 be- easily overcome by any passing
emotion. vet now he fairly staggered be-
meath the blow her words had dealt: So
when he spoke again il was with a calm
desperation.
Forgive me" said he; Il have had so
many hopes that
why did you not write TO me-" she inter-
rupted. turning upon him sharply.
Il waited to tell YOU. was u fool. that Is
all"
Let MS have done with folly" COM
menccd Christine, almost YEARLY. Then.
with sudden, passionate outburst All
why need YOU have done this: Could YOU
not sec could you not unde standy'
Now hc caught her outstrctchcd hands.
and. holding her in his arms. pressed
| her close upon his breast. For one lutte
moment the poor lips quiyrred beneath
| "A rain al kisses. for ono little moment only;
| then ad -Oitlv fre"in, herself. she said hat
| Ibis:
go now. Ralph"
"JhTiStine,
| Co." she Iepcated; 1T is too late; under.
| stand me too late! ! shall marry Arthur
Cover. and would not do otherwise now
| event. could"
| And so. quitting The deep shadow Of the
| willows, never looking back. Miss Ilcrtun
walked down the garden path. her dainty
| white gown Tutoring in the morning
breeze. her whittier face hard and fixed and
strangely stern.
Some one met her a, she crossed the
| hall.
Where is Mr.. Gresham, Christiuc?'
Gone"
Are you ill., dear"
No; | VIII be down presently Clara
| passing on quickly.
This abruptno,s would have offended al
most any other woman. but Clara NOlnoy
| being unlike almost any other woman,
| simply turned away, panied pitiiulncS-
| easily read in The troubled glance Of her
| blue eyes.
She stood leaning against the doorway.
| Just little tingc Of color in her checks,
| her slender little fingers mechanically
| threading an unruly yellow curl, when Mis-
lllerton sharply called 10 hcr from the gal
| lery above.
Clara"
Yes dear"
Il want Won"
Obedicnt Clara was presently in her
| cousins chamber, listening TO a hail con
| (ession born OF selt-rebukc and wild
| yearninG for some word OF tender cons OLA
| ton.
We have no secrets from each o'hcr.
have we, Clara commenced Miss lllarton,
NO. none"
From the timc-so long ago when my
| poor father dicd-from the moment when
| he put your hand in mine. and bado u love
| each other, not as cousins only hut "a
sisters dear, have ever. bv word or deed.
| put that last counsel to shame, Clara"
"NeVer, Christine"
Think again"
Never" reiterated the girl.
1T is false" cried Miss Iilerton. her
| checks abaEc now; i have wrongrd you
| by a foolish silence; have insutcd the
| dead by willhn diSOb"dicncc: IN uOlnInr
| have | acted like a sister; II sister would
have gone to you and said: Clara have
| promised TO be Arthur GowcI'- wife: this
| ring l Wear is the token Of love; | am
happy. share my content That IS what
sister would have done-what | should
! have done; i it mott"
Arthur Cover
The flush had quite faded from Clara'-
| checks. hut her eyes were bright with some
keen emotion of surprise or joy, or maybe
pain.
Yes" went ON Christine. never needing
this, and Just now, in the garden, who
should come but Ralph Gresham, and he
loves mo. Clara"
"Welly"
almost in undcrtone.
"Wha; did you tell hm?" asked her
cousin, eagerly.
What have told you-thGt II was too
late. and that | would no.. even II | could.
She spoke very slowly. marking each word
with lingering emphasis then, ~ the ld~t
fell from nor hUS she started up with merry
laugh. Just think Of II. Iiara-Arthur
Cover. Did tell you what h" said; LIS
ten. II was the drOllest wooing. He took
my hand and slipped that ring upon NV
finger: | knew then what was coming. aud
so kept very still. Christine said he. ~
is our parents wish. you remember, that
YOU should be my wIic-will YOU consent 20
And consented. of course. SO, therr.
now, that troublesome affair is arranged.
and am to marry him, and For heaN-
ems sake, Clara, open that window one
stiles here"
She came and stood by her cousin. and
in silence the two looked out upon IA"
stretch of land where the fa brown tracts
We're all cut by low fences, ana then be-
yond upon the dark belt OF " Gods. nov soft
tned and Swallowed by tho purple haze Of
the last falling night.
Presently, turning to Miss Illerton. Clare
asked. in IA hail. whisper
Are YOU happy, Chrstine?-
who? II What IA droll question: Why,
| am now the happiest woman in the world
The next gray daybreak stole in through
that same window upon IA woman who haj
passed the lvelong night crouched in thai
great chair, her head resting upon IN,
broad sill.
pale-faced creature. who looked M li-t.
lessly when the swallows commenced twit.
tcring in the fare aching caves and then
with sigh and shuddcr TUNED from this
ever new glory Of the coming day
20. Lord" she cried. and said no more.
You are not TO Judge. Surely this was
cry Tor Thanksgiving, for. by her own con.
iessi9n' she was the hsppiest woman in the
J world.