Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-04-11

noped Tor any change in her d.ru life she
never spoke of it again. She tried to feel
an interest in her pupils; she tried not to
feel bitter toward the parents who would
send them to school dirty and unkempt,
and with lunch of soda biscuit and
fried pork. She was gracious and sweet
to all alike, and at home tried by smiles
and cheerful words to brighten her mo-
ther's lonely life and make her fathers
weekly home coming one of joy.
Unconsciously to herself she was gain
ing the moral heights and finding the
atmosphere that was good for her souls
health.
As the summer advanced and the
dreaded hot days came the school closed
and jamie resigned. As jamie went from
house to house on errands Of mercy she
often saw her friend DR.. Selwyn. Once
she inquired if he had heard from Mr..
Forester. He answered her almost
CURLY that he often heard from him, but
that was all, and as he volunteered no
further information she never spoke of
him again.
This summer seemed to tax Janies
strength. Toward its close a languor
and WEAKNESS took possession of her, but
she made no complaint.
lhe LIST of October found her wan and
istless, out more beautiful than ever.
Her mother watched her with sinking
heart. There had been consumption in
the family at home, on the Atlantic
coast, and she was dreading the first
fatal signs Of the dreaded disease.
One day when jamie came in from
ramble, with her arms full of the beauti-
full spoils of the woods, she was met at the
gate by Harry Forester, grown strong
and very handsome. He greeted her
joyfully, yet tenderly, and relieving her
of her lovely burden he asked her to re-
trace her steps with him. She consent
ed, and they took winding path, car
peted with fallen leaves and hedged in
with all the glory of the autumn woods.
Suddenly Forester turned and took
both hands in his. "Well, JAMIE" he
said, 81 have come back to offer myself
to you. If you scorn me, as you did the
house I offered to build for you, shall
feel awfully cut up, for upon my honor
love you"
81 should be very sorry if that were
so," she said, gently withdrawing her
hands. "But don't think you do love
me-" she continued, smiling brightly.
"You love the girl who waltzed, and
wore rose colored dress. You talked
about her all the first week Of your ill
ness"
"Oh, hang the girl who waltzedl She
may go to Jericho. love you, say,
and I want You to marry me. will
build nice house for your father and
mother and help the boys to start in
life, and, as for you, you shall be a
queen, as you deserve to be. You shall
be at the head Of as pretty house as
there is in st. Louis and have everything
you want Then hope nobody will call
me an migrate or scorpion"
mo one has right to call you that,
Mr.. Forester. You are noble and gen.
erous, am sure, and when you are mar
ried to some beautiful girl among your
own friends I hope you will bring her to
see me, if am alive. Father has saved
some money. and with that and what
you gave mother they are going to build
pretty little house about where we are
now standing, and we will have a room
for YOU"
"But, jamie, took time to consider
and know that love you. do not
want to marry any one but YOU"
II cannot marry you, Mr.. Forester,
for do not love YOU"
"You do not love me!'' he repeated,
with a look of wonder. "Why, I thought
Il really thought that you did. you
know"
"Well, do not, and never did. Nor
must you mistake gratitude for love
either, or imagine that you are under
any obligations to me. shall always
be glad that l had strength, and was
there to help you that night; the thought
of it is all the reward l want. / hope
you will remember me. am not very
strong. Perhaps l shall not live long.
If you hear that / am gone don't feel
sorry, for it will be best So"
"Now, see here" said Forester. again
taking her hands, ''if you are i'll you
are going to the best health resort in the
United States, and your mother is going,
too. swear that will do something
for you. Do you suppose that I am
going to accept my life at your hands
and do nothing to show that have the
feelings Of man? I will make Selwyn
take care Of you"
Ahl no pallor now! A rosy flush and
sudden pressure of her hand to her heart
told that the name was a shaft which
had struck home.
A light dawned on Forrester's hand
some but rather vacuous face. "Good-
by" he said suddenly, 81 will see you
again tomorrow" and he was gone.
An hour later he burst iato DR.. Sell
wyn's library. "Wellw he exclaimed,
II have offered myself to jamie Burton
and been rejected, by Jove, straight and
square. And see here, Selwyn, if hav-
ing a fine head stuffed with science and
intellect makes man as blind as mole,
l am glad to be classed with the brain
less variety. Have you seen jamie lately.
She is going to die unless you save her."