Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-07-16

My only hope was to make full comics
sion instantly. Marcella was dear,
sweet. reasonable girl. A word would
be enough.
''Marcella." began, 81 think I must
appear somewhat confused-I have
something on my mind. l must tell
you very notifying"
"Oh, how do you do, Mr.. Parkin" said
one of those peculiar voices that have
won for American women the reputation
of want of meIlowness and softness OF
speech, which Is by no means universally
deserved. .'How do YOU dol IL is nice
TO see you again. Why didn't you run
up TO sec usf We are lovely in the au-
tumn, crimson naples and all that. You
must be quite an admirer Of nature;
your taste Is so good in other things.
Gems, for instance. Tho color of that
diamond is marvellous. You have artists
eyes-meancholy eyes,"
have no doubt they were melancholy
enough mt that moment.
II know gentleman, quite an artist
amateur, but could be professional. He
cannot wear many ornaments, but ne car
ries a little bag of unset jewels in his
pocket, and when he wants to refresh
himself, he pours them into his palm
and looks at them-gloats on them.
Really, could not trust him alone in
the room with Marcelia's ring, it might
make him dishonest.
So spoke Marcella's aunt. Nor did she
leave us until was obliged to take my
departure. / could not make confession
before her. resolved to write to Mar
celia. After all, it would be better.
And / wrote a dozen letters that night
and tore them up. The unlucky
thirteenth, penitential to the last degree,
posted. / remember that my excite
ment was so great that went out to do
SO without my hat, and was followed
home as suspicious character by the
policeman or our street in consequence.
bounced about in bed for hours that
night and slept the next morning in con-
sequence. Out OF breath and pallid
arrived at our establishment after hours
next day.
There's been person here inquiring
for YOU" said Briggs, the individual
who noted down our sins OF hardness
and the consequent deductions" "a
gent in gray clothes. Said his name was
Doughty, and he came about ring. He
said you'd understand"
Understand | did, alas! but too
well. The blow had fallen. However,
l could do nothing until Marcella re-
turned the ring, or babe me come and
get it. would not implicate her by
mentioning her name.
--ia-is as--at--vvs.sst-t 0-g0o-
that man yet, nor for a day or two"
"Owe him something, and don't want
to settle till salary timel" said Briggs.
let it pass by nod.
"Ah" said Briggs. "Well, as you
are on the second floor, can tell him
you are home i'll and that l don't know
where you live. But it's a lot of trouble
to take for nothing. Is it worth acouple
of dollars to youi"
put two silver dollars into his hand
and in an instant they clinked together
in his pocket.
Doughty called that evening, and
next morning. and the day after, and all
the while no answer came from Marcella.
What did it mean? l knew when my
letter was returned from the dead-lett
office, with "Not found" written all
over it as if it were an example in
copy book. l had addressed it to "Mar-
celia Darling. New York" Marcclla's
father being named Gillworthy, it is not
astonishing that it did not reach its des-
tination, especially without a number.
My full explanation had, perhaps, in
terested some clerk in the post Office de-
pdrtment, but had not reached Marcella.
Moreover. in the same mail was letter
from my bethrothed herself:
- ssH.
Charles. whit has happened? / have been
terrified by your absence.
Il sent Brother Bob to Lighter 4 Jowls
with note from me, and some one told him
you were i'll at home and they didn't know
where you boarded. i do not, either, but
perhaps the postman does so L put New
70 city uponit. send me at once. am
not superstitious, but your diamond seems
to be little dim, aud ! shver when re-
member the stories told OF gems.
"Why haven't you written: Did auntie
offe you? The worst OF it II my trunks
take me the evening on were here. oh, how
long it seemsl We shall be away three
months at least can't change my mind
now. A thought startles me perhaps your
io ssss fsSssa psrhePs y % love me no
to send you presents-above all, your vaiu-
abe ring. Your manner was not your own
when saw you last. MARcELLA."
What had donel Fear of losing my
treasure overcame all other thoughts. l
caught my hat and rushed to her dwell
ing-place.
''Oh, my, Mr.. Parkinl Is it youl The
family thought you must be dead" said
the girl who opened the door for me;
land Miss Marcella has gone with her
aunt to Europe. and master and missis
have gone to Chicago, and Master Bob
is at boarding.school, and there amt no.
body at home but cook and me except
Hammer, and she's got holiday. We're
lonesome and real scary."
So was l. staggered down the steps
with my hand to my forehead, and
through the open window heard the
waitress inform cook that it was plain
my heart was broken by Miss Marcella's
cruelty. What should l do nowl
Whittier fly? Invent as far as the cor
ner, and ran into the arms of q man who
was stalking along with bowed head
and general air of desperation. In
voluntarily we clutched each other.
THANK God il is Parkil p' said he
Doughty ~ said ], but added no
Thanksgiving.
'I've been looking for you for days
about that ring" said he.
"All right, said /. "But you remem-
Der you gave it to me 2"
~ did," said Doughty. "But want
you to save me from dismissal by saying
you picked it up yourself"
II did not" said /.
az have IA chance for promotion and a
capital salary lose it IL you won't say
/ that ~ aaid nnuuhfv tCThink If INV