The Iola register., 1891-04-17
A LOVERS FIDELITY.

A LOVERS FIDELITY.
Sunset was deepening into purple twi
light as Jessie Burton threw open the
heavy shutters of the window, and
leaning out into the cool air breathed
a deep, quivering breath, so labored
and mournful that it seemed to end
with sob. In the gray twilight her
face looked worn and sharp. What.
ever grief she had, the f0unt of tears
had long been dry, and her soul had
gone down into the darkest ways, tear
less and hopeless.
All day long the great white house,
where Jessie lived with her mother,
had shown no signs of life. The shut
tiers were all closed, and callers had
pulled vainly at the bell. and at last
gone off, saying, fretfully, mot at
homes" for how were they to know
that early in the morning Jessie's
fingers had muffied the bell. and
Jessie's hands fastened the blinds?
| But why? Ali that was it. All day
long Jessie had fought terrible battle
ing spell to the window.
She bowed her head upon the sill
with another quivering. fearless sob;
and while she held it there the
gate clicked. and the sound of steps
and subdued laughter reached her ears.
She raised her head swiftly and
glanced down the garden walk.
Mary Pierce and Frank Dane, and
they have seen ME. Oh, what shall /
do?"
A merry voice came to her ears.
''How forbidding your castle looks,
Jessie, with never light from garret
to cellar! Come down and let us in."
And Mary Pierce turned her blonde,
good-natured face, with some remark,
to the gentleman at her side.
Jessie rose from her feet.
"Oh. why did | come to the win
dow?" she groaned. WAS it fate that,
of all men, Frank Dane should come
here this accursed night?"
She walked down hurriedly, lit the
gas in the parlor, and opened the hall
door. Miss Pierce and her compan-
ion walked in. The latter held out his
hand to Jessie, but she would not take
it.
Il have a terrible headache" she
said, as she led the way TO the parlor;
land am not in company spirits" She
sat down and tried to talk; but the
pallor of her face the reStlessness of
her manner, were noticed by her visit
ors. Once or twice she started out of
her chair as a slight noise came from
the hall. and after a time the visitors
declared it was time TO go, and they
made their adieux. Jessie. after their
departure. threw herself upon her
knees and buried her head in the sofa
cushions, and never moved for ten
minutes. Every nerve was stretched
to its utmost tension, and rs some one
came into the room, she started up
with a stiiled scream, and stood face
to face with Frank Dane.
Il beg your pardon" jessie" he
said, for startling you, but some.
thing in your looks and manner to.
night convinced nc that you were In
trouble and as go away tomorrow
for an indefinite length of time, could
not be satisfied with the thought Of
leaving unspoken all that l feel for
you"
A very miserable girl was Jessie
Burton as these words fell upon her
ears. She looked at him so that he
cried out. For heavens sake. Jessie,
tell me what ails you?"
Still that stony, terrified look--still
that strained position. He approached
and laid his hand upon her shoulder,
but ere she could move away there
came to her ears a strange moaning
cry, like that of some wild animal in
pain, followed by heavy fall. which
shook the windows. Jessie broke from
his hand and started to the door, fall
ing headlong at his feet.
Frank Dane raised her very tender
ly, with compassion and pity shining
in his eyes. He placed her on the sofa,
and then bounded upstairs.
On the landing lay a woman with
dishevelled hair and disordered clothes.
why. it is Jessie's mother" said
Frank Dane. Il suppose she has
tainted"
He lifted her up (what dead,
heavy weight she wasD and carried
her back into the room she had just
left. The door was open. and lamp
burning dimly. As he placed her on
the bed, he half smiled at the ludi-
crousness of his position-sole attend
ant on two fainting women; then lie
bent over Mrs. Burton with glass of
water and began to bathe her face.
He dropped the glass instantly, with a
cry of disgust aud horror, and rushed
from the room.
Down stairs. Jessie lay just as he had
left her-pale, hollOw-eyed and drOop-
ing and Frank Dane could not trust
himself to look at her any longer. A
sudden light had flashed over the dark
places 2f his previous acquaintance
with jesse Barton.
He understood now. Her days Of
innocent glee and abounding spirits
were followed all too soon by other
days of silence, unrest and marked
avoidance of all her friends.
Mrs. Burton he had known only
casually.
He did not stay. He would not
humiliate Jessie by letting her see him
when she awoke, and he was not actor
enough to conceal the knowledge of
the secret.
Poor jessie" he said; sud touching
the pale forehead and wan hands
lightly with his lips he went out and
closed the door softly. God comfort
thee in thy wakening, poor girl" he
said. and walked thoughtfully away
from the gate.
The night deepened. The moon
arose and sailed up the heavens, fol-
lowed by her silver-robed court of
stars. Mellow splendor crowned the
tree-tops and trembled around the
silent house, Upstairs Mrs. Burton