The Colfax chronicle., 1890-05-10

secretly jealous, was easily Influenced
by their insinuations, and petulantly
charged her with preference for his
rival, with faithlessness and duplicity.
s'Here, Charlie, take your ring" she
replied, not unkindly. 'sYou are only
boy; we never could make each other
happy. once thought that we might,
but it was not to be; 50 let us part good
friends, now, while there is nothing to
regret or forget
Angry and wounded in vanity, Charlie
left her at the gate, free, and went away
free himself. But this was the least of
her sorrow; the tears that dampened her
pillow that night were not for love
that was lost, but for love that had
never been told. what" said she to
herself, '.was the meaning, the only
possible Interpretation, of Melville's
embarrassment ut finding me on the
boat. his ccnstraint and subsequent
avoidance, If not that he didn't wish to
meet me, having discovered that while
l wore the ring of one, had given my
heart, unasked, unwanted, to another.
He despises me for my weakness-would
not attend the lawn party because he
did not wish to meet me. And yet we
were to be such friends; he warned me
that we were to be nothing more. IT
Is easy to be lovers or haters, he aid.
but harder to be nothing but friends !"
ALI the summer people were now gone.
Even Charlie had left, to pass the winter
In the city; and the village became again
monotonously dull. Maple-leaves grew
red and drifted to the ground, the snow
came and faded again from the hills,
and the clover-blossoms followed; but
nothing occurred to vary the joyless
dreariness of Laura's life. In hotel
corridor, however, of distant city, Mel
Vile now by chance encountered Char
lie, who was beaming with happiness
and holding out his hand frankly as he
advanced.
81 once had grudge against you, old
fellow" said he, twas awfully jealous;
but it's all over now that I'm married.
Come up and see my wife. Yes, you
really mustr' and taking him by the
arm and refusing mo" for an answer,
he led him to the parlor.
1t was with the utmost reluctance that
Melville consented to 60. He was Sc
cretly afraid to meet her, fearing that
his emotions would overmaster him;
and yet he was longing to see her: be-
sides which, Charlie was so persistent he
could scarcely help going, whether he
wished to or not.
| 81 thought you said she was here?'
said Melville, glancing around the room.
'sHere she is" was the reply, as a
winsome, pretty girl came forward to
meet them. Jennie, this is my friend
Mr.. Melville. 1t was case of mutual,
first-sight love-" he added, laughingly.
Wasn't it, my dear?"
"Why thought you married-that is,
that you were to marry-Miss Mayne?'
said Melville, in amazement.
'sOh! was" replied Charlie, "bui
she said j was only boy and broke
it Of. But we're the best of friends
See that pretty pin that Jennie wearsi
That's from Laura"
81 suppose she is still in Falltown?'
said Melville, with sorry attempt at
nonchalance; and hearing that she was
he excused himself rather unceremoni
ously, Jennie thought, and started .,
once, travelling night and day on his
way back to the village.
Though it was somewhat late wher
he reached his journeys end, he went
at once to the Mayne dwelling. As he
rang the bell he heard light step ad-
vancing in the porch, and q never-for
gotten voice spoke through the dark
ness. Father is not at home, sir,-il
somewhere about the village, though,
think"
"Is this Miss Mayne?'' he inquired
though he knew full we'll whose voics
it was.
.sIt is,". she replied, startled at some
thing strangely familiar in his tone, ye
unable to see him clearly as he stood il
the shadow of clambering vine.
He walked forward. ''And do yos
not know me? Have you forgotten? o.
is it that you wish to forget?"
mo, have not forgotten" she said
striving to speak composedly, though
her heart beat so loudly she thought h
must surely hear it.
81 thought you were married." h
went ON, s'were married to Charlie,-
thought so until twenty-four hours ago
and have come thousand miles sine
then"
He still held her hand, and his tom
and actions told her plainly on wha
errand he had come. Thus, with he
heart at ease, she could afford, woman
j like. to be tsntalizing. II am reall.
glad to see you" she replied. / feared
from your sudden disappearance with
out saying goodbye, that our friend
ship was not after all, SO eminentl,
successful as you had planned-"
mo; confess that / failed" he an
swered, my friendship grew into Low
long before dared to acknowledge II
even to myself; and now, in wild, sud
den hope, have come TO see what ha
become of yours. May I not hope tha