Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-08-28
beautiful golden fields with different

much has died out of her life that it
seems to her a small century has passed
and she wonders that Tony has not
tired of standing there waiting for her to
speak. But moment is soon over,
the dead soon buried. and drawing off
the big dogskin gloves in which she al
ways gardens, she lays both hands
frankly in his and speaks the words he
is waiting to hear. Memory is strong
within her just now, cruelty strong;
it recalls the long sweet days that are
past, when such shadowy, Transparent
excuses have brought Tony to Rose
mead; brace Of birds, 4 lucky MINI
rod has brought down, q string OF shin
ing fish to testify to the success of
Izaac Walton's jealous disciple, a rare
cutting from the rose houses at Cupid's
towers, over the setting out of which
their hands had often met, for Of course
Tony must assist, or how was he to
know if her work was well doneP
Though, for the matter of that, it is an
open question whether or not he can
tell the difference between . cabbage
rose and tea rose, and he has been
detected in sneaking preference
for the old York and Lancaster over all
tho idtei '"AeecS eh"I ha'o DeSh PhoPo-
gated.
How or when this easy friendship
which has characterized their relations
since childhood has grown into some
thing warmer with Lefty Coles the girl
herself does not know; but there It is
staring her boldly in the face, and
sending q sickening sense Of pain
through every fiber, while Tony. all
unconscious Of the feeling he has
awakened, proses on about his love.
''She is beautiful, Lefty Coles, this
dainty Perle des Jardins of mine, SO
beautiful! And Cupid's towers is but
. dreary place to which to bring her.
You will come to see her often. will
you noti You will brighten up the
dull old life for her as neither mother
nor can doP You will be Q sister to
her, Lefty Coles?"
So Lefty Coles promised; so Lefty
Coles sees him ride away on Gray
Eagle. the noble animal that has
brought him to her so often while she
stands idly at the garden gate. the
cluster Of Lefty Coles roses burning in
her hands. And she wonders, wonders.
wonders. in q dull, benumbed way, If
1t is true, If these crimson-heated fow-
ers would suffer more than the golden
Perle des Jardins yonder; il this fair
young love Of Tony's could over feel
this fierce gnawing pain, if she should
lose Tony, that she, Lefty Coles, is
feeling now.
All, very fair. very young. is Tony's
love, Lefty Coles thinks, when she
makes the miserable little first call on
the bride that Is expected Of her. And
frail! The girls heart aches within
her at the sight of the delicate creature;
and by-and-by the old crones begin to
shake their heads, and talk about 'de-
clines," and to ask each other II Vesta
Tadlock's family is consumptive. II
begins to be SO evident that she is slip.
ping out of life, away from Tony.
"You must send her SOUTH" says
Lefty Coles, one day. She had JUS
been for visit to the invalid, whom
she found free from pain, but terribly
weak. Tony, broken hearted, ant
almost beside himself, has been sittins
for two weary hours in the library. hi
brown head bowed ON the table. Lett,
Coles sees him as she Is passing throug
the long, gloomy hall, and of cours
she goes to him. Lefty has never il
herlife seen suffering in the humblest O
Gods creatures without seeking to al
leviate it, and her heart is bleeding TO
her old long-ago playmate's sorrow.
There is no hope" he answers
wearily.
There is always hope, always, Tony
as long as Gods gift Of life remains,
she says, gently. "Send her to Flor
ida. The climate must benefit her."
II cannot send her among strangers
Mothers nerves unfit her for nursing
and business complications will pre-
vent me from leaving home for months
/ must keep myself in position
supply her with every comfort Will
she needs it, and my absence would
financial ruin just now."
"Will you trust her to me Tonyf
laying her hands tenderly on his heat
as sister might. ''Seel i am stron
well; my nerves are like steel. Wi
you trust me to take your darlingi
Trust your As might trust q
angela saint-anything unselfish an
noble. But l have no right to ask sue
sacrifice of you."
Never mind that; there ought to b
no talk Of sacrifice between us, Tony
Once-dO you not remember itp yo
asked me to be to her o sister; yo
must let me fulfill that promise now
will you noti"
And Tony In his gratitude, think
there is not . woman in the Who'll,
world equal to this one, and even ha
his doubts Of the saints and angels, tt
whom he has just alluded. So they gc
to Florida, Lefty Coles and Vesta Tad
lock.
But not even Florida. with all its
sunshine and flowers and salubriou,
climate, speaks ought Of hope of health
to the lovely invalid, and Lefty Colel
fears that she has brought Tony's wife
here to die. Tony has written to pu,
them under the care of an old friend Of
his. an eminent physician, wintering in
the state. He pays daily visits to the
hotel where they are stopping. but he
gives no encouragement. though at
first he Is ready to lay down his life fol
Tony. and later for-well, Tony's
wife. let US say, for indeed he Is singu.
larly attracted toward the young crea.
ture.
lis there nothing to be doneP" Lefty
Coles asked of him one day, as they
are talking out of earshot Of the In.
valid, beside whom a stout, middle
aged woman Is sitting.
Nothing. / fear. There are in,
stances where. in cases like hers, trans
fusion has been known to be beneficial
but l doubt the efficacy of such al
operation with your sister,"
Miss Coles does not notice the wore