Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-05-07

tudt Ou8ut not 10 NC lVut "iic.
Mr.. Barclay, man-like, loved the
woman who was slipping away from
him at this moment, better than ever be-
fore, and he had loved her always in his
way; he had made a mistake in not
showing his affection more plainly.
Beth" he said, forgive me. l
didn't mean IT, was a brute. AS my
wife you will be free as air; you must
know that. Think moment; it is not
a. objectionable offence, is itp'
~ tell you it is not because OF what
you said" s>reiterated. 1T is because
know you "a, mot love me. and that /
am not sure tha,I love YOU"
Mr.. Barclays temper began to rise
again. He remarked:
This is nice statement for a man to
hear three weeks before his marriager'
''Much nicer than it would be three
weeks after" she retorted. 'sThe in
vitations are not out; no one outside Of
our families know that the day was set.
will take my finery," she added, with
smile, land go to Italy. Take your
ring. Tom, and say good-by,' drawing
off the diamond.
Mechanically Tom dropped the circlet
into his pocket. Suddenly he took
step toward her, caught her in his arms,
kissed her once-twice-three times, with
all the passion OF man who loves, then,
releasing her, turned and left the room,
while Miss Murray, white and trembling,
sank into her chair, hid her face and
cried bitterly.
Much to Elizabeth's surprise Mr.. Bar
clay made no attempt to see or speak to
her again. She explained, where it was
necessary:
MIR. Barclay and l have changed our
minds"
A month later she and Aunt Clare were
outward bound, with Italy for their goal.
The remainder Of the winter and the fol-
lowing spring and summer were spent
roaming from place to place; then one
of those financial cyclones called panic
swept over the United States, and Miss
Murray and her aunt were called home.
TIL mas Barclay, though n young man.
was a large dealer in coffees, teas and
spices. His was one of dozen firms
that failed that autumn. Dishonest and
unfortunate creditors had cost him a
hundred thousand dollars. Bet that cut
no figure in settling up his own affairs.
He cleared his stables sold every inch of
real estate, and when his own creditors
were paid dollar for dollar, Mr.. Barclay
had q clean conscience, a stainless rec
ord, and five thousand dollars in cash.
He went West, and Miss Murray heard
no more of him. Her father, an impor-
ter of silks and foreign fabrics, curtailed
exnenseS- and aided by "a generous
loan from Aunt Clare, weathered the
storm.
One summer two years later, Elizabeth
and her mother joined party who were
going to make tour of the northwest,
penetrating even the wilds of Alaska be-
fore their return.
1t was in Portland that Miss Murray
met with an accident, and treacherous
banana peeling was to blame for it.
She had gone out alone to make some
small purchases, and stepping on the
deceitful peel fell to the ground.
crowd was gathering. A gentleman
offered his assistance, and Elizabeth was
taken to the nearest store, while the
gentleman called carriage and then
accompanied her home. 1t was Tom
Barclay.
In spite of the pain, Miss Murray could
not help looking at the man who was to
have been her husband. That individ-
ual met her eyes and said:
"Well2"
Miss Murray blushed painfully, con-
scious that she had been staring.
1t is so long since l have seen you.
and we used to be such good friends, +"
she replied gently.
"Whose fault is it that you have not
seen me for so long," he demanded; and
then, noting her fading color and pale
lips, he said. what a brute l am to
question you so, when you are suffering
such pain |. was never gentle enough
to win your love, Beth"
Did you ever try, Tomw
81 thought did,"
"Did you take everything for
granted that you loved me, and that /
cared for you, and that in the course of
human events it was natural and proper
that we should get marriedp
"Perhaps So" he answered quietly
and then the carriage stopped, the driver
was at the door, and Elizabeth was
carried up to her room.
1t was an ugly, obstinate spraip, and
held its victim a prisoner for six long
weeks. The party went on to Alaska.
leaving Mrs. Murray and her daughter
at the hotel, and quite as a matter of
course, Tom Barclay called often. He
was wonderfully gentle toward the
woman who had refused to be his wife.
Elizabeth did not know that he was try
ing to win her love, but Mrs. Murray
was we'll aware of that fact, and well
satisfied too. Tom was established in
the old business in Portland, and again
on the road to wealth. She had always
liked him, and shrewdly suspected that
his presence on this planet had some
thing to do with her daughters strange
indifference TO certain brilliant matrimo-
NAL chances.
AS for Elizabeth, she was utterly con-
tent and happy during the period of in
validism that confined her to the house
What cared she for the beauties of
Alaska, of which her friends wrote such
glowing descriptions Did she not have
long talks with Tom every other even
ing. Though she took care that he
knew nothing of her quickening heart
beats and bounding pulses whenever he
approached.
Elizabeth had been able to walk for q
week. Her friends were due in two
days on their return trip, and she and
her mother were to join them and start
Immediately for home.
Mr.. Barclay asked the convalescent to
take ride with him. He was thirty
one, Elizabeth twenty-five. Mrs. Muir
ray did not think chaperon necessary |;
neither did Tom. They went alone.
| fTbau marc for hatfar ooounintad than