The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-04-16

trec-tops and trembled around the
silent house. Upstairs Mrs. Burton
still slept. untroubled by thought or
dream. Below stairs Jessie paced the
floor and bore the burden of anothers
sin and faced the ruin of her hopes
with wild eyes and fever-fushed face.
her awful loss. The hideouS curse,
the burning disgrace OF her life-she
must hold the red hot brand to her
heart without tear. and strove TO
smile while covering up the ashes.
DIED.-On the 10Th instant at her residence
on Chaplain Common. Of brain fever. Mrs.
Harriet Allen Burton, widow of George Bur
ton. Esq. in the year of her age.
So said the London papers, week
after Frank Danes departure. The
public read. and believed, and COM
miserated the lonely orphan. and only
the grim physician, who had shared
Jessie's struggle during that terrible
week, knew that family tragedy had
been hushed up in that seemingly open
announcement. Jessie had been forced
to trust DR.. Elton almost against her
will. He had loved her once and had
Sutd IOl I4Ct ilsib't " II'i i4iC Wv
quence of which he was capable; but
Jessie shrank from the fire of his steel
gray eyes and the hard lines about his
mouth. She feared him. and, fearing
him, she had to trust him. because she
dared not send for Il stranger, and
have the story Of her mothers weak
ness noised over the town.
DR.. Elton was very grim and very
quiet. His grasp upon the deliriouS
woman was as firm and as cold as iron;
his directions to Jessie brief and to the
point. But human skill was powerlcss
to save Jessic's mother; and so she died.
and was buried and the world wonder
cd and went its way, and she was for
gotten.
A month went by. Jessie took
housekeeper, and lived lonely life.
For in her dreams she saw and heard
nothing of Frank Dane. and even DR..
Elton stayed away for :. time. Bat
one day he came to her, aud taking
the chair she indicated, sat down.
Il came to present my bill, Hiss
Jessie; you are of aye, of course and
see no obstacle in the way of pay
ment?"
None" said Jessie, quietly; II can
pay you for your time all YOU choose
to ask; but money could never pay you
for that which keeps the world from
knowing all you know"
He bowed.
Jessie he sald Il will take no
payment from YOU. BY one act you
can cancel all YOU owe me, and make
my silence yours Of right and not of
courtesy"
She looked ut him; his steel-gray
eyes pierced her thoughts, and she
shrank away covering her burning
face with her hands.
You want'-she began, huskily;
and he finished.
II want YOU. Once before / sued
for your love vainly. This time | sue
for your hand, withoat your love.
That, | know, has been thrown away
upon one who does not value it; but
after YOU are my wife | can easily
chain your wandering fancy. What
say you. Jessie? VIII you be my wife?n
Il can not, DR.. Eton-I can not"
You can. Jessie-you will. Let
me put this engagement ring on your
finger. Once it is there. respect for
Your mothers memory will make it
light"
If you please, Miss jessie here is
gentleman TO see you, and the house
keeper ushcred in Frank Dane.
Dr. Elton seized her hand, pressed
the ring upon her finger and whisper
ed, You are the price of my silence
rcmcmber.n
Jessie flushed scarlet us Frank Danes
eyes met hers; then she drew the ring
from her finger and laid it on the table
Il have told you,@ she said, in clear
cold tones, that | will uot wear it.
DO YOU dare to refuse me, Jessie?
Know what | know"
.Pitiful coward she said scorn-
fully, ITO threaten woman. Mr.. Dane,
may ask YOU to show that mau to the
do0r?'
Dr. Elton caught up his hat Jessie
paled before the flash of his eye rs he
turned to Frank Dane.
Before | 70, Mr.. Dane. permit me
to inform YOU that the mother OF the
fair lady who loves you was an habit
ual tippler, and that she died of de-
lirium tremens while under my care.
Should your pity tempt you to console
the fair one, remember that the old
saving: Like father. like som is easily
made Like mother, like daughter and
trcmble for her future
To which Frank Dean replied coldly:
Il have long loved Miss Burton, and
respect her all the more for her devo-
tion to her mother. | have travelled
night and day since | heard of her
Il,
her mothers malady longer than you,
and am not all afraid to trust my
happiness in the keeping of so faithful
a daughter. | wish YOU good evening"
aud Frank Dane opened the door
and stood aside to let the discomfited
suitor pass out.
When he came back he said: Jessie,
will YOU wear my ring?' and when he
put it on it was not removed.
oh Frank" she whispered, Il
have suffered bitterly"
Il know it. dearest, for I saw YOU
suffer once when it almost broke NV
heart to 20 off and leave you; but [
hoped that YOU would suffer less if
were gone. especially Is | feared you
did not love me, Now it is all past
you will never suffer more"
What did Dir. Elton do? He had the
good sense to hold his tongue, and
made mp for his silence by sending
Mrs. Frank Dane Il bill 1T which even
liberal Frank opened his eyes very
wide. 1t was paid without murmur;
and soon after the doctor married Il
rich widow. None, however, was ever
heard to envy Mrs. Elton; but plenty
Of people quote Mr.. and Mrs, Frank
Dane as model couple, and her
mothers name is never mentioned III
1er presence save with tenderness and
respect.-N l. World