The Press., 1890-08-28

hoped for any change in her dull life she never spoke of it again. She tried to feel an interest in her pupils; she tried not to feel bitter toward the parents who would send them to school dirty and unkempt, and with lunch of soda biscuit and fried pork. She was gracious and sweet to all alike, and at home tried by smiles and cheerful words to brighten her mo- ther's lonely life and make her fathers weekly home coming one of joy.
 Unconsciously to herself she was gain ing the moral heights and finding the atmosphere that was gsod for her souls health.
 As the summer advanced and the dreaded hot days came the school closed and Jamie resigned. As Jamie went from house to house on errands of mercy she often saw her friend Dr. Selwyn. Once she inquired if he had heard from MT. Forester. He answered her almost curtly that he often heard from him, but that was all, and as he volunteered no further information she never spoke of him again.
 This summer seemed to tax Janie's strength. Toward it's close a languor
  she made no complaint.
 The 1st of October found her wan and istless, but more beautiful than ever. Her mother watched her with sinking heart. There had been consumption in the family at home, on the Atlantic coast, and she was dreading the first fatal signs of the dreaded disease. One day when Jani3 came in from ramble, with her arms full of the beauti- full spells of the woods, she was met at the | gate by Harry Forester, grown strong and very handsome. He greeted her joyfully, yet t,enderly, and relieving her of her lovely burden he sssi1el her to re- trace her steps with hi2n. She consent ed, and they took a winding path, car peted with fallen leaves and hedged in with all the glory of tine autumn woods. Suddenly Forester turned and took both hands i'll his. Well, Janie," he said, II have come back to offer myself | to you. If you scorn me, as you did the | house I offered to build for you, I shall feel awfully cut up, for upon my honor love you"
 ''I should be very sorry if that were so," she said, gently withdrawing her hands, "But don't think you do love me-" she continued, smiling brightly. "You love the girl who waltzed, and wore 8 rose colored dress. You talked | about her all the first week of your ill., | ness"
 "Oh, hang the girl who waltzed! She may go to Jericho. love you, say, and I want you to marry me. will build a nice house for your father and mother and help the boys to start in life, and, as for you, you shall be a l queen, as you deserve to be. You shall be at the head of as pretty house as there is in St. Louis and have everything you want. Then I hope nobody will call me an ingrate or a scorpion" | "No one has right to call you that, MT. Forester. You are noble and gen. erous, am sure, and when you are mar ried to some beautiful girl among your own friends hope you will bring her to see me, if am alive. Father has saved some money, and with that and what you gave mother they are going to build pretty little house about where we are now standing, and we will have a room for you"
 | 'tBut, Jamie, I took time to consider and know that I love you. I do not want to marry any one but you"
 'I cannot marry you, MT. Forester, for do not love you"
 'sYou do not love mer' he repeated with 8 look of wonder. "Why, I thought T really thought that you did, you know"