The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-06-27
The Correct Version.


the engagement because il has become
irksome to me. Isn't that enoughi"
The young man unorossed his legs,
got up, and reached for his hat.
"Seems strange he said, as yearn-
ing look came into his eyes, 'thst the
engagement didn't become irksome to
you until the oyster season was over
Miss Pankey did not deign any re-
ply, and Algernon Swackhammer,
with low bow, turned upon his heel
and walked out.
When the door had closed upon his
retreating form the young woman sank
nervously into a chair.
"The stupid wretch she exclaimed.
"He ought TO have had more sense
than TO take me at my word
Suddenly she stopped to the floor,
picked up small ivory tablet that
had dropped from Algernons pocket,
pressed it passionately to her lips,
bowed her head upon her hands and
sobbed aloud.
Years had passed. The afternoon
sun was gliding the pretentious spires
and cupolas of an ambitious western
town, and the soft, weird music of the
fish peddler's horn was heard in the
street, when middle aged man with
valise in his hand opened the gate
10 front of modest but neat and we'll
built cottage, walked briskly up the
steps and knocked at the door.
| A lady answered the knock--a lady.
well preserved but no longer young.
The stranger barred his head. His
hair was beginning to turn gray, but
time had evidently dealt with him
leniently, and care had left no deep
traces on his brow. He spoke;
SIS the gentlemen of the house-am
dreaming7 Isn't this Cashmere Pan
keyl Or rather"-and he smiled
isn't this the lady who was once Miss
Cashmere Pankey?'
81 am Miss Pankey," she answered,
and you are Algernon Swackhammer.
recognized you as soon as l saw
| you. Won't you come inf"
| "Well, well" said the middle aged
traveller, as he sat in an easy chair in
the front parler few moments later
and looked with interest at the face
of the lady. "Who would have
thought of meeting you heree Aud
you tell me you are still Miss Pankeyt
isn't this your home?
''It is my brothers He is widow
er / keep house for him"
"And you never married.
"No"
| "How have you prosperedi"
w-I have no reason for complaint.
Aud youl"
Il have hal great many hard
knocks, Cassimere-Mlss Pankey-
since we met last. BY the way, we
parted rather unceremoniously, didn't
, we?"
Il The lady sighed.
"And l always felt that owed you
, an apology" he continued, "for not
sending your photograph back after
l you had returned mine; but the fact
D is." he went on, awkwardly, I--er--
: couldn't find it. 1t got lost somehow.
|. Miss Pankey sighed again.
VI "That reminds me- pursued Mr.
n wackhammer, 'that | lost little
It book slate the last evening / was al
v your house. must have dropped il
/ out of my pocket in some way. i
wasn't of any particular value, aud
Is don't know when 1 have thought of i
p before, but the recollection of it hap
II pened to occur to me just now. l
lo was little black book slate, with
id Il think it was an ivory tablet"
OF "No. l am quite positive it was
ID little black book slate"
, ssIm sure il was white tablet.
70. Going to the mantle she opened
e. plush lined jewel casket and took OF
ID a little ivory tablet.
an "Here it is she said.
,is "And you have kept it all thes
rd years!" exclaimed Mr. Swackhamme
o. "Yes."
,er 81 see | was mistaken. But
as change the subject. Do you consld
IN. yourself - W fixed in life? Ha'
ter you uo-plans for the future?
as "Why, p
De- She paused, and her visitor pr
in ceeded.
"In sense, l suppose, you are
h fixture here? Your brothers childr,
nd are to some extent dependent up'
nd you3"
,el "Of curse, but
,bo "Then permit me, Miss Pankey (
hill the sake of old times,' said Mr.. Swac
led hammer, rapidly, as nc opened
ed. valise and took out number of doc
ep. ments, "to call your attention to /
Git fact that life is uncertain, disease a
death stalk abroad in the land, fa
be- accidents may happen at any tin
WIN. and it is the part of wisdom TO p
Jall vide against contingencies by seeuu
,wn those who are or may be dependt
re- upon US against want. In the polio
test of the Limpinlazarus Life lnsurar
ties company, which l represent, and
in which / have travelled for the |
TRY seven years, you will find the most 7
.er,. feet system, the surest guarantee,
this most absolute security offered by 6
God company in the field, and either on
ppv ten year, the endowment, or the
h of plan, as you may prefer, you will
Mrs. the premiums smaller in proportion
nun the gilt edged character of the ins
her anoe afforded than in any that
her ever come under your notice, while
ard non-toTieltable teature OF the pollc
A peculiar to our company alone,
Door gether with the dividends that acc
tage after the third year, thus steadily
hap. creasing the annual premiums, whil
This the same time'--
"Was this your object in cali
Nav Al-Mr, Swackhammer?"
yles. at was Miss Pankey. I've just
&c gun to work this town"
| the Opening the little ivory tablet
food began jotting figures down in it :
izaut great rapidly.
9 of snow here you will see" he +
yles. that on the ten year plan let me
what is your age, please"
"You will please excuse me sir
have some bread in the oven tha
must 90 and look at, and | don't l
rove any life insurance. Neither does
' bro,h,r I Nuicb vou suoaoyg