The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-02-27


GONE WITH ME-"
long used for spying with snap re-
solved to break my engagement Frank
would come the next day to see me for
the last time.
But the next day he did not come. In
his place received brief note:
"My father is dangerously i'll. I go to New
York on the next train"
Restless, miserable, wandered off,
taking the Stapleton road, and walked
into the village, making some trifling
purchases as my errand. 1t was at the
store where / bought some ribbon that
| heard two ladies conversing, one of
whom said:
''They have smallpox at Carter's."
This made no impression upon me,
and l had forgotten it by the time l
turned my face homeward. But as l
passed Carter's lane ! remembered it
and looked idly down the narrow foot
way. Suddenly all the blood in my
veins seemed to stand still, for just be-
yond the turn lay, upon the ground, a
little scarlet mitten. 1t flashed upon
me in 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 as cautiously as if it had
held snake.
Yes, it was Lizzie'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 Carter's-
to danger, perhaps to death. Would
Frank still love her when her face was
SCARED and pitted? Would all his love
be mine if she died? If she died, and 1
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 pausng until before me
saw the slender figure 1 sought, when
sent my voice ahead in ringing
shout:
"Alice! Alice Hallr'
She did not hear me, and already she
had entered the gate. o for those mo-
ments lost in irresolution! Up the
steps, into the house! Should /, too,
risk contagion to save her? Yet still |
sped on, rushing into the house, and
seizin2 her as. she stood before the fire
in the great farmhouse kitchen.
"Come with me" gasped; and she
obeyed instantly. She told me later
that she could not but obey such a
voice and such look as mine.
Out of the infected house, down the
lane, ] led the way, until sank down,
painting and exhausted.
What is it?" she cried, kneeling be-
side me on the frozen ground. ''Is
Roberts father dead?"
"They have the smallpox at Car
ter'S," | gasped.
"And you have nearly killed yourself
to tell me?"
But" l said, recovering some
breath, "who is Roberto"
81 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 l am willing to
wait until Robert can be independent
of him. That is why came here,
Frank, Roberts brother, you know, is
so good to me, brings me Roberts let
ters, and does all he can for me.
have so longed TO tell you, because il
seems as if you We're already my sister
Frank loves you sou
"You knew Frank before you came
here, then?"
"Oh, yes! He told me about you, ant
he wanted me to be near you, so that
| learned to love me. | thought yol
never would, but you must love me 1
little to run into that infected houst
yourself, to save mel"
81 love you dearly" | said, humbleC
to the heart.
Then we went slowly homeward, anC
Alice took tea with us, while Lizzie
and Fannie stared with wide eyes a
me in my new character of friend t.
their teacher. But it was the last day
of teaching for the patient little wife
The next one brought us the Telegram
announcing Mr.. Blair's death, and Sta
pleton again lost its music,
1t was not until long afterward that
in rummaging over some of my ole
clothes, in home visit, | took out
cloth sacque, in the pocket of whicl
was Alice's scarlet mitten. Lizzie,
matron herself, recognized it at once
but it was not to her that / made IN,
confession.
l told Frank, for could add to m!
story the assurance that l was cure'
forever of jealousy on the da.
when / picked up the red mitten il
Carter's lape.-Anna Louise Harris, il
N. Y. Ledger.
|
T.A1 Oa MI TA a.