The Newtown bee., 1892-09-30
!. Perhaps Miss Perkins

She had sat there less than half an
hour when the gate opened and form
familiar came up the walk. Her cold
heart seemed for moment to stand still. |
Then it throbbed painfully.
GOOD evening"" she answered very
quietly to his 'sgood evening"
But she didn't give him her hand.
The rest all came about very swiftly.
Q pride, for thy stern sake how many
hearts are wrung!
He should never know that she had
learned his treaehery. He should sim
ply believe she did not care for him.
'sHere are the letters and the ring she
said swiftly, glad that the darkness VEIL
ed her pallor.
Jason Hawkes. received them in bitter
silence.
GAS you choose, then, coquette," he
muttered and, turning, strobe away.
Minerva Woodford tossed wakefully
upon her pillow that night. 1t was the
first great trouble of her life. First
troubles are so bitter.
Everything required to her; every
thing that Miss Perkins had told her con-
corning Mrs Darrell. The widow was
young and pretty. Why should Jason
care for her? She had come from the
city and was bright with city ways and
city talk. She seemed to have money in
abundance. Oh, it was cruel! The
whole thing was cruel.
Minerva fell asleep only toward the
dawn. she rose pale and heavy eyed
for the morning, yet stro%g in the inten-
ton of concealing her grief.
! The Summer day dragged heavily to-
ward noon, more heavily after. Time
was so long, so long. 1t seemed GEN.
with her tale of Jason Hawkes. devotion
| to the young widow. But the dream
was over. It was Minerals task to for
get their plighted vows, to forget the
handsome face that had been so dear to
her.
Probably he would leave the village
when he married the widow.
Minerals eyes grew dim; she felt a
choking sensation and stepped to the
open door, hoping the soft Summer
breeze would cool her hot forehead.
AS she stood there, she suddenly
heard a sharp cry of distress, then some
thing tore past in the road, beating up
the yellow dust in binding clouds.
IA runaway" she said and her heart
seemed to stop beating for an instant.
She ran down the path and out into
the road. The horses had dashed on,
but something of a wreck was percepti-
BILE short distance off.
Minerva thought she could see some
one lying by the roadside. She ran to-
ward it at her utmost speed.
"Oh, Jason, Jasonr' she moaned,
bending down over him.
Not dead, thank heaven, only stunned
perhaps. She raised his head, loosened
his collar and asked herself what next
, Turning for a moment, she looked
| back down the road and saw some one
: going 10 at her own gate. Ir was wo
man. She flew back toward home tx
/ SIX help of whomsoever it might be.
1t was Mrs Darrell. She was yer,
pale and addressed the girl very anxious
: ly.
"Em afraid an accident has happened
; Mr. Hawkes.. His team ran away
"He is lying in the road unconscious,
t Minerva interrupted. "Will you hell
me some way to
''Let US go quickly" said the other.
And so they had not lost an instant.
Jason had come to himself.
} BADLY shaken up, that's all, he saiC
with an unnerved laugh and, leaning OF
their arms, limped back to Minerva
home.
Minerva drew up the arm chair in the
sitting room and left him there with Mrs
Darrell, going herself into the kitchen tt
make a cooling drink for her guests, per
force.
Through the open door between the
rooms, she could hear .Jason's voice
gloomy and disturbed.
Good thing perhaps, if had been kill.
ed. Wouldn't have cared much.''
"Oh, but you shouldn't say that" the
soft voice of Mrs Darrell replied. "You
ought to care. Things may come right,
you know
Minerya's heart seemed to twist up
within her in a sudden jealous frenzy.
She could fancy just how the widows
dark, soft eyes were gazing into his just
how her white and graceful hand lay on
his arm.
Yes, things might come right. But
why should Jason speak gloomily? She
had given him his freedom.
The hand with which she offered him
bly,.
Did Jason observe it?
| II am going away tomorrow, Miss
Woodford,' he said rather stiff1y. "Per-
haps l may carry your good wishes with
me. | greatly regret having made you
this trouble
The widow had slipped out on the
porch.
"It is no trouble whatever, Mr.
Hawkes." replied Minerva. :
'Miss Woodford,'' said soft, smooth
voice from out among the roses, won't
you please eoule ouo mere d nloulenI!
Minerva obeyed.
The widow came near the girl and laid
her gentle hand on her arm.
II have heard SO much of you" she
said, in low tone. II feel as if we
might be friends. l have been trying to
come and see you for so long; | was on
my way, this morning. I'm afraid you
feel unkindly toward poor Jason.
Please, please don't feel so. He has not
been to blame
Minerals heart was boiling within her.
Che ouarad With IN aff,ort