Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-07-02

As Barb listened to the murmur Of
Gaines voice, she fell into q painful
reverie, in which the past. the present
and the unknown future were mingled.
So deep was her abstraction that she
took no heed Of time. and did not notice
her. She looked at him with some sur.
prise as he gently took her hand in his,
and.he blushed like schoolgirl under her
gaze. He was a handsome, manly young
fellow Of three and twenty, who had
come to Las Cheritas in company with
Sandy and Capt George. when the ex-
element over the pewly-discovered
mines was at its height.
Barb" said he. i've been talking
with your father"
YES" she said, with an inquiring in
tonation, gazing at the hand which he
still held, but making no attempt to
withdraw it.
He can't last long. not moro than
couple Of weeks at most"
Barb drew her hand sharply out Of
his clasp, but spoke no word. Gaines
repossessed himself Of it, and with o
gentle force compelled her to look at
him.
Barb, my poor stricken Barb, I suf-
fer with you in your sorrow." he said.
''for love you. Dear. do you under
stand what mean when say that?"
do l understand what love is?" she
answered in tone Of anguish. ''Oh.
yes, I understand"
''Then listen, my darling" he con-
tinued; II have talked with Sandy, and
he told me might speak to you. 1t
would soothe your fathers last hours to
know that your future Is safe. VIII
you marry me. Barb?"
await, oh wait!" she answered.
''When he is gone I'll tell you. can't
think. won't think, Of anything but
pap"
But I may hope. Barb?" Barb
thought of her own suffering in the
weeks just past Here was one who
loved her: as she loved the man she
would never see again. Her future was
o blank. Why not be Gaines wife when
her father was dead, even though she
could never love him? She would try.
earnestly try. to make him happy.
"You may hope" she answered. ris-
Ing.
Gaines trembled in the excess Of his
great Joy and tears rushed to his eyes.
kiss me, Barb"
And Barb, who had refused and fed
bent over Gaines without blush, kissed
him upon the lips, then passed into the
house with a calm step.
On this same evening Capt George,
worn with his long journey, yet as
eager and ioJous as q boy, reached the
little New England village which had
been his boyhood's home.
1t was nightfall when the wheezy lit
tle engine puffed its way up to the sta
ton and he alighted from the train. but
il was not SO dark but that he could
recognize every familiar landmark.
"I'l go to Agnes first" he thought
RAY must wait this time" How high
his heart beat as every step brought
him nearer To the woman who had been
his inspiration all these years.
There's Deacon Gubbs' house." he
said to himself. AN I'm blest II there
amt the deacon himself sittin' by the
table rcadin' by the light of dip. Jest
a. he ust to twenty years ago, when ]
was little shaver an stole his water
melons An there's the meetln'
house. wonder II the parson breaches
ez long sermons ez he ust TO. and
wonder what small boy sets In my old
place an thinks 81 the speckled trout
IN the brook an the birds nests on the
hill I'll 60 to church Sunday and
fin out
AN here's The bridge where parted
from Agnes Dear girl. how glad she'll
be 10 see me-
he put his hand into an inner pocket
% assure himself az the safety Of two
little cases which reposed therein. One
Of these eases contained beautiful
gold watch with . gorgeous seal. for
Rav. and The other held gift for
Agnes. a pearl necklace. with "Fidelis-
i'm diamonds. npou the clasp,
Agnes promised when went away
that she'd Be a sister 20 Ray When
were married. know she'll be ~Illin'
~ have him live with us. and well all
be happy tov-ther.
As he neared the farmhouse, Agnes
home. he noted that every window ~aa
alight ard he heard the sounds ~
IaaUht~r and gay voices. - he seftly
entered the gate and approached The
door, ssradina upon the grass that bic
feosst<p might make 90 ss,und
They're hzyia' . party. reekon
IN peek ia aa' see If kasw sag d The
A