The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-10-21
You at Vera Cruz, and that you should
remain there for the winter

you at V era OruZ and that you should
remain there for the winter"
Eyes. did think of that or of stav-
ing near there. Vera Cruz itself, YOU
know, is beastiy place. But changed
my mind and went over on the other
coast, and only came back there on
my way out. The letters followed me
to one or two points, reaching them al
ways after / had gone on, and finally
were sent forward to New Orleans to
wait for me-"
"Well, he felt very badly about it. It
would have been a comfort to him if he
could only have heard from you. But
he kept on hoping until tlS end of the
month; then he went to Mr.. Rodney. the
president, and told him all about it."
'He did that before there was any
suspicion of wrong?"
eyes, he did it of his own accord. I
think he expected that Mr.. Rodney
would help him until they could hear
from you. You see, he never quite gave
! you up"
"What did Rodney say?"
"He sent at once for an officer and
had George arrested"
Miss Tenant could not control her.
self sufficiently to continue the story
further, and Chalmers forbore to press
her with questions. He paced thought
fully across the room, his eyes fixed the
while upon the young girl who sat with
her face bowed upon her hands. Her
pride could carry her no further along
this difficult path and she bent before
him and gave way to the abandon of her
grief. He passed and repassed her
silently; he could see the outline of her
cheek, and fancied it had grown thinner
since he had seen her last. Her form.
too, seemed more slender, and the coiled
masses of black hair rested like burden
instead OF crown upon the small head.
He paused beside her at last, longing to
put out his hand and stroke the shining
hair and speak words of comfort to her,
as an elder brother might. But he dared
not trust himself
Perhaps she felt the sympathy of his
presence, for she raised her head and
looked at him trustingly.
"Would money have saved him after
that? [ mean after he told Rodney?'
asked Chalmers.
"No." The answer was positive and
hopeless. The tone in which the girl
uttered the single word carried weight
of conviction that nothing could have
intensified. So positive was it that
Chalmers was startled by it.
'No! Why? How do you know" he
asked.
81 tried it."
"You! Lima! You tried it,"
eyes. You knowI have some money.
l went to see Mr.. Rodney as soon as I
knew"
"What did he say to your
"That the law must take its course"
"But would you have given up every
thing for him? 1t would have taken all
you had"
eyes. Why not7 He is to be my hus-
band"
"Then you will still marry him-after
this?'
eyes; why not?" She flashed the an
swer at him as if there could be but that
one reply. II tell you he did not mean
to do any wrong"
Chalmers took out his watch and
looked at it.
81 will see Rodney myself in the
morning. 1t is too late now-and l will
see others. I must have time to think
whom l need. After that shall go and
see George. Good night, Lima"
AS she took his hand at parting the
girl looked at him again confdingly.
She had put away the defensive armor
now 1t was not needed with this man,
who avoided so carefully and chival-
rously any word or sign that could dis
tress her, that could reflect upon George,
or that could stir up memories of the
past that it were best should remain
buried. She even smiled at him hope
fullyas she said good night.
''You will see me again soon," she
said.
"Just as soon as have learned any,
thing of Importance; as soon as | have
decided upon anything. Some time to-
at least"
at is tomorrow now," she answered,
glancing up at the long hands of the
hall clock, And then she added mean
ngly, "Time flies"
"Yes, that is the trouble with Time,"
Chalmers musingly. "When
we want him to go quickly he limps
along like lame old man. He has been
going at that pace for me for years.
And now that would like him to. wait
4 little he courses like a race horse"
Il suppose he cannot suit us ALL" she
'aid, For me time has been going so
last. 1t was because we We're happy;
out since, while have been waiting for
you to come, it has passed so slowly. l
nave thought the days-and nights
would never be done"
Again, by both words and manner,
she let him see how much she had de-
pended on him and on his coming. He
vas sorry for her-even more sorry than
or George or for himself.
ITO BE CONTINUED.