The Colfax chronicle., 1891-11-07

prevented him from sending Mary
written apology for his jealous letter
and OF course she no longer wrote t
him. He felt confident that by thi
time she must have become engaged t,
Bill Taylor, and if he returned hom,
she would treat him with scorn. II,
lost his appetite, he grew thin in thu
face, his manner became distraught
and he feared that he might go crazy.
The principal saw what his condition
was, and in a very considerate man
ner told him not to waste his money il
trying to effect cure that was impos.
sible under the discouraging circum-
stances. The principal advised him ia
go home at once, and expressed much
confidence that Miss Beverly loved him
enough to marry him in spite of his
stammering. John thanked his friend,
but would not allow himself to be
comforted. Several hours later, at
nine o'clock in the evening, John wan
dered to the bank of river. He chose
lonely spot beneath tree and sat
down. He looked at the swiftly flow.
ing and dark waters, and almost per-
suaded himself that it would be best TO
plunge into them and end his misery,
but his good sense and courage soon
asserted themselves. He would go
home and live like man, whatever
Mary's decision might be.
He took the train the next morning.
and at six p m. arrived at his destina-
tion- In the evening he went to Mary's
home. His heart beat rapidly as he
approached the door, His fate would
soon be decided, but he had nerved him.
self to expect defeat and to bear it
with manly fortitude. He rang the
bell Mary herself answered the sum-
mons
20 John," she cried; and weeping
with joy she fell into his arms
The amazed young man conducted
the clinging maiden to the parlor.
II have been SO anxious" exclaimed |
Mary. ''The principal of the institute |
wrote me a very kind letter and |
urged me to treat you as true woman |
should. Iknow all of the circumstances
ind feel SO sorry for YOU"
IF you still love me, there is no oc-
for ei-ei-ther of us to be
said John.
Il do love you. Now that you are
With me again am perfectly happy.
But too have suffered much have
'een punished for my frivolity and un-
Eindness. / thought how heartless
lad been in regard to our marriage by
he Episcopal service. 1t was who
rove you to desperate efforts to effect
cure. feared that you might COM
ait suicide, and resolved that if you
id do it would do penance and wear
'idow's weeds for you the rest of my
fe."
1T wo-ould be foo-foo-foolish to
0 that" said John, laughing. s.More-
yer, II you did it as a pen--pen-ance,
wo-would sh-show that you did it !
5 duty; not becau-cause you lo-
we'd me-"
"How can you talk so!' exclaimed /;
larry; and then in laughing manner !
he added:
You must be careful or I'll give you /
P for Bill Taylor" II
II un-un--der-der-stand that at '
he eti-time you did thin-think of Civ {
g me up for him.
whoever said so was mean and =
ltruthful person. said Mary with Il
irit. -
II be-be-lieve yon," remarkedl a
'hn as he administered judiciouss q
SIS. ~ =,
The rest of the courtship was salts.
ctory. The firm that employed John Sc
On handsomely increased his salary. Il
d two years after his return from p]
2 institute he was able to marry in | q
tie of the loss of his money by the re
lure of the bank. Meanwhile he m
actised the vocal exercises in which tn
had been drilled at the institute n,
tn SO much assiduity and intelli- nc
ice that his stammering was COM tn
tely overcome, and he and Mary in
re married by the Episcopal service nc
er ALL. A. Bolles, in Boston Bud. at
cia