The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-02-20

never moro rcpuiSivc to me than
when it was lifted to mine with n
pleading smile, that asked for the
affection and confidence Iowould not
give her.
The winter was an unusually severe
one ut Staplcton that year, and just
after New Years Lizzie knit for her
teacher pair of scarlet wooden nit.
tens, which she asked me to finish in n
pretty fancy stitch she had not yet
learned. Both my sisters were enthu-
siastically fond of their teacher, and
had not carried my jealous fury to the
point of trying to deprive her of their
love. SO, with some show of willing
ness, knit the tops of the mittcns in
meshes of scarlet wool and white silk,
and in an odd stitch have mover seen
except in my own work.
1t was about three weeks after Christ
mas when, looking over at Ramsay's,
as did. oh, far too often for my own
peace, 1 saw in the brightly-lighted
parlor Alice Hall and my Frank, stand
ing near the fireplace, talking more
earnestly than usual. Suddenly, she
covered her face with her hands, and
could see her shake with violent sob
bing For moment he looked at her,
his whole face pitiful andatendcr and
then he put his arm around her and
drew her into close embrace, smooth
ing her hair and bending over her with
caressing tenderness The door of the
room opened. and Alice sped away,
while ], shutting the opera-glass 1 had
long used for spying with snap. re-
solved to break my engagement Frank
NO - e..
the last time.
But the next day he did not come. In
his place l received brief note:
"My father is dangerously ILL., I 60 to New
York on the next train"
Restless, miserable, wandered off,
taking the Stapleton road, and walked
purchases as my errand. 1t was at the
store where l bought some ribbon that
1 heard two ladies convcrsing, one of
whom said:
They have smallpox at Carriers"
This made no impression upon me,
and l had forgotten it by the time 1
turned my face homeward But as I
passed Carter's lane l remembered it
and looked idly down the narrow foot
way. Suddenly all the blood in my
veins seemed to stand still, for just be-
You'd the turn lay, upon the ground,
little scarlet mittcn. 1t flashed upon
me in n moment that it was Wednesday
afternoon, when Alice Hall gave the
Carter children their music lesson
turned down the lane, and took up the
red mitten rs cautiously as if it had
held snake.
Yes, it was Lizzic's gift to Alice Hall,
with my fancy knitting on the wrist.
How proudly Lizzie had told her
teacher she need not teach again with
cold fingers, and what gentle kiss
thanked her! She, this fair, sweet rival
of mine, was on her way to Cartcrs-
to danger, perhaps to death. Would
Frank still love her when her face was
Scared and pittcd? Would all his love
be mine if she died? If she died, and
had murdered her!
The thought seemed to be shouted in
my ears and drove away my demon.
started at full run down the narrow
lane, never pausing until before me /
saw the slender figure l sought, when
/ sent my voice ahead in ringing
shout:
"Alice! Alice IIall!'
She did not hear me, and already she
had entered the gate. o for those mo-
mcnts lost in irresolution! Up the
steps, into the house! Should /, too,
risk contagion to save her? Yet still
sped an, rushing into the house, and
Selling her as she stood before the fire
in the great farmhouse kitchen
Come with mc!' gaspcd; and she
obeyed instantly. She told me later
that she could not but obey such n
voice and such look as mine.
Out of the infected house, down the
lane, led the way, until I sank down,
painting and exhausted.
what is it?" she cried, kneeling be-
side me on the frozen ground. SIS
Roberts father dcad?"
They have the smallpox at Car
ter's," gasped.
And you have nearly killed yourself
to tell me?"
But" said, recovering some
BREATH "who is Roberto"
II must tell you!" she said; you will
keep my secret?"
| promised that
Robert is my husband" she said,
gently; but his father does not know
OF our marriage, and am willing to
wait nntil Robert can be Independent
of linn. That is why | came here
Frank, Roberts brother, you know, is
so good to me, brings me Roberts let
tcrs, and does all he can for me- /
have so lonGed to tell you, because il
seems as if you were already my sister.
Frank loves you sou
you knew Frank before you came
here, thcn?"
''Oh, ycs He told me about you, and
he wanted me to be near you, SO that,
when YOU knew. YOU would have