Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-06-02

window and shattered tho chandelier.
The music stopped with dis6ordani
crash. There was instant confusion.
and above it all there we're the hoarse
cries for Jere Hartman.
! sprang through the piazza window
and faced the men. They knew me
we'll, and Big John shouted:
We've naught against you John
Spencer We mean no harm to any,
but the master must hear Us Bring out
the master =
Come like honest men. in daylight,
aud talk it over calmly" | urged, mot
at night like mob of rufiians with
stones for arguments.
Jere Hartman had come out to them
They greeted him with an angry shou
"We are to DO put of no longer. Is
It our rights by fair means or by foul,
Jere Hartman 2"
your rights -" began Jere
Hartman in his harsh, stern voice.
saw that Nellie Hartman had slipped out
to her fathers side and laid her hand
pleadiugly on his shoulder. She did
not fear the angry men, for willingly
not one Of them would have harmed a
hair of her dainty head saw that she
would have pleaded with her father TO
BIO gentle with them.
eyes, our rightsv' yelled voice in
the crowd with an awful oath. He was
drunken or blind with rage--surely he
did not SEQ the girl at her fathers side.
A stone whizzed through the air. 1t
might have been Jero Harman's DEATH
blow; instead, it struck her. II cut a
great, cruel cash just above the temple.
They sprang toward her--her friends,
her lover--but Nellie Harman put her
two hands out to inc with sharp gasp
ing cry.
Jack, Jack !" she said, and caught
her in my arms.
have lived over the agony. the joy
Of that moment all through the long.
lonely hours Of this night.
II was big John himself who brought
the doctor and cried like child whep
they told him she was dying. HIS little
crippled child she had loved and cared
for, and it had died in her arms. AYE,
and that harm should have come to her,
who was more good and innocent Of
wrong than the angels T" muttercd Big
John brokenly. as he went away soft
ened and sorrowful.
Jere Hartman sent me out to tell the
men that he had yielded. aud in the
silence Of death they went away.
The strike is over.
As | sit here in the gray dawn, wait
ing, fearing, dreading tho coming Of
the morning and the news it may bring,
hear the chatter Of horses hoos. Il
is servant from the Hall riding to the
village on some GRAND
What news2' call out hoarsely.
and learn that the worst is over and that
she will live.
Nellie Hartman lowered between life
and death for long weeks, and worked
as had never worked before. Jere
Hartman left much Of the management
Of the mill in my hands. and put heart
and brain in the work or | should have
gone mad in those weeks with the long
ing to see her face. When she was we'll
again | spent many evenings At the
Hall talking business with her father.
who came seldom TO the Office in those
days. lie had broken 10 health with the
recent troubles and had lost energy, but
he was gentler and kinder than Of old.
Harry Desmond was always there. I
was but dull guest could not en-
dure his light heartedncss, the triumph
in his eyes, the happiness in his laugh
| could not endure that he should call
her by name or smile on her
| was a mad fool
| told Jere Hartman that must 90
away; that | must have rest, change =
vacation. Gordon. the young fore
man. could take my place. | urged, aud
he consented. though grudgingly.
Tho last evening | promised him to
spend at the Hall aud go over the ac-
counts with him.
Never had Nellie been brighter or
gayer. | felt vague pang that my
going was so little 10 her.
II was early when Desmond loft, and
| Immediately rose 10 go. Jere H-sa
man grasped my hand cordially 10 fare
we'll. and Nellie said simply Good
bye" and | went down the path slowly
and sadly.
Suddenly I heard light, flying step
behind me as reached the shadow OF
the trees.
1t was Nellie.
| stepped back In the darkness. She
stopped. As il listening. and then came
toward mo.
IL thought | should overtake YOU"
she whispered, slipping her arm through
mine. odd you think | could lot you
go away tonight without last word 2"
There was something 10 her voice, a
tenderness, that explained all. She had
come out TO meet her lover. Desmond,
and mistaken me for him 10 the dark
ness. But TO have her so near was very
sweet She seemed not 10 care for speech.
She was very still--just clasping my
arm and leaning over so gently against
my shoulder. Tho temptation was
great was going away-just 10 take
away with me the memory Of a mo-
ments heaven
kissed her.
Forgive me-" pleaded. desperately.
"You thought me your lover, Desmond,
and | was cruel, mad, 10 take that kiss.