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


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 fount 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 lifa The shut
ters were all closed. and callers had
pulled vainly ut the bell. aud at last
gone off, saying, fretfuly. Not ut
home;' for how were they to know
that early in the morning Jessie's
fingers had mutiied the bell, and
Jcssic,s hands fastened the blinds?
But why? An! that was it. All day
loag Jessie had fought a terrible battle
alone; now she came for a brief breath
iug spell to the window.
She bowed her head upon the sill
with another quivering fearless sob;
and while she held it there the
gaze CIiChC'i' 'tI4ti IIIc SOuuu VI Slcps
and subducd laughter reached her ears.
She raised Ecr head swiftly and
glanced down the garden walk.
Mary Pierce and Frank Dane, and
thev have seen me. Oh, what shall |
do?n
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 i'm
Aud Mary Pierce turned her blonde.
gOod-natured face. with some remark,
to the gentleman 1T 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 accurScd nght?n
She walked down hurriedly, lit the
gas in the paror, and opened the hail
door. Miss Pierce and her conpan-
ion walked in. The latter held out his
1t.
Il have a terrible headache" she
said, rs She led the way to the parlor;
"and 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 ont OF
her chair rs a slight noise came from
the hall, and after Il time the visitors
declared it was time to 90, 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 as some one
came into the room, she started up
with Stillrd scream. and stood face
to face with Frank Dane.
Il BEG Your pardon" Jessie" he
said, for startling you. but some
thing in yoar looks and manner 10.
night convinced me that you were in
trouble, aud as 90 away tomorrow
for an indefinite length OF time, could
not be satisfied with the thought of
leaving unspokcn all HAT | fee! for
you.n
J very miserable GIRL was Jessie
Burton as these words fell upon her
ears. Sine looked at him so that he
cried out. For heavens sake, Jessie,
tell me what ails yon?'
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 Il strange moaning
cry, like that of some wild animal in
pain, followed by Il heavy fall. which
shook the windows. jessie broke from
his hand aud started to the door fall
ing headlong ~ his feet.
Frank Dane raised her very tender
u. with compassion and pity shining
in lis eyes He placed her on the sofa
and then bounded upstairs.
On the landing lay Il woman with
dishcvelel 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 WASH and carried
her back into the room she had just
left. The door was open. and a lamp
burning d:mly. As he placed her on
the bed. he half smiled at the ludi-
crouSuesS OF his poSition-sole attend
ant ON two fainting women; then he
bent over Mrs. Burton with a glass of
water and began to bathe her face.
He dropped tine glass Instantly, with n
cry of disgust aud horror, and rushed
from tie room.
Down stairs. Jessie lay just rs he had
left her-pale. hollow-eyed and droop-
inc, aud Frank Dane could not trust
himself to look ut her auy longer. A
sudden light had flashed over the dark
places OF his previous acquaintance
with Jessie Barton.
He understood now. Her days of
Innocent glee and abounding spirits
were followed ali too soon by other
days of silence. unrest and marked
,,-0,;,l,rna Of oil bo,. frio,3-