The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-02-03
VOL. XIV. RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY, MD, FRIDAY FL
"When will you be ready to start ?"
k,P1 9 o'oIonp fo D,n nrrOu

"When will you be ready to start ?"
".By 8 o'clock tomorrow.
"Goodl Constance, whatever hap.
pens, you must never return to the fac
tory. Prof Arnold's daughter was in
tended for better things"
"All work is shonorable-but we shall
see, said Constance.
1t is needless to describe in detail the
next few months Of Constance Arnold 8
life. Her uncle received her with open
arms, and strove to atone for his long
neglect as far rs possible. He was a
broken oil man, fast sinking under an
incurable disease, and Constance de-
voted every moment to him. All else
was forgotten she lived only for duty s
sake. When, at the end of three months,
he died. blessing her; she was sincerely
sorry, and not even the knowledge thai
as heiress of his mouey she was now a
comparatively rich woman wholly con.
soled her for his loss. She liked her
quiet, uneventful life and the few
friends she made, and she decided to
live in the old house for the present,
rather to the disapproval of her legal
adviser, who thought it would be lonely
for the girl. However, young widow,
who needed home, for slight con-
sideration, took up her abode with Con-
stance, and made most charming
chaperon. Soon after tine business OF
her uncle was settled, Constance wrote
true, womanly letter to Jack Will
lington, stating that at last the "unex-
pected" had happened, and that she
could now take stand in society
much higher than that of factory girl
This letter was not answered, and eight
long months had rolled slowly by since
it was written. Constance Arnold s
heart was very heavy. A year had
elapsed since that night when driving
through the twilight Jack Wilmington
had asked her to be his wife. Only one
year and how long it seemed She had
not deserved this treatment from him.
In her woman's heart she believed him
true, but his silence-she could not
account for it.
That evening, as she dressed for a
small dance, one of the first she had at
tended since her uncle's death, she
looked in the long mirror and was
startled to see how beautiful she was.
She was dressed in gown of lustrous
white silk, made long and sweeping.
Its bodice, cut low on the shoulders.
was nearly covered with full of rich
white lace. Her hair, beautiful, dark
and abundant, was brushed back from
the forehead in soft waves, and coiled
in knot at her neck. She wore no
ornaments, but her eyes were bright
enough to rival the most brilliant dia-
monds.
She drew on her long gloves with
something of a sigh.
eff Jack could only see me-" she
said, 81 should almost be happy"
Later. in the evening, as Constance
sat in Mrs. Jones' beautiful home sur
rounded by group of men, she heard
a young man say in answer to an evi-
dent query:
"Yes, Jones was expected home last
night. He has been travelling in
Europe since last November with a
party of college chums. He is going
to bring friend with him, Wellington
by name. I knew him at college; q
fine fellow. Father a rich manufac-
turer. They live in Ashford and have
fine place"
Twas all she heard, but it set her
mind in whirl. Jack, her Jack, COM
ing to Deane? Oh, at last she might
see him But what was all that com.
motion in the hall-a great embracing
and handshaking? He had arrived,
and on that of all nights Her head
grew light, and she grasped the arm of
the sofa for support. She had caught
sight of familiar figure in a light
travelling suit ascending the stairs fol.
lowed by another. In q short time
both entered the room In evening dress.
In quiet corner of the large veranda,
sheltered by immense palms, not long
afterwards might have been seen Con-
stance Arnold and Jack Wilmington,
They were talking earnestly, not
loudly, but through the soft passages
of beautiful Strauss waltz were
distinguished these words:
"You believe. then, Constance, that
I never received the letter ?"
Certainly, Jack"
'And you will love me always ?"
"Forever, Jack. Exchange.