Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-06-19

her ABOUT marrying you"
"She will see me, won't she, just for u few
minutes?" he said pleadingly.
"She can't help herself if you go right in
there. She's sitting in the window looking
at the moon coming up over the hill"
In an hour Or little more the young man
came out, walking unsteadily like one
from whom some sudden blow had stricken
all vitality
He paused an instant by Mrs. Denning,
and his face shone CHASTITY in the moon
light.
"She is quite right" he said in strained
and unnatural voice. She'll tell you why
some day. But don't plague her about it,
She's unhappy enough, God knows. God
help us both"
Mrs. Denning got up. staring at him af-
frightedly.
"Goodby. shall go to New York in the
morning. / couldn't stay here now Begood
to Violet, won't you, Mrs Domingo"
One morning, about month after Chris
topher's departure, Mrs. Denning's ever
watchful eye discovered from an upper
window very spruce looking gentleman
coming up the walk toward the house.
Every inch of the man shone, from his
sleek beaver to his patent leather cased ex-
tremities. A very SNOWY watch chain gilt
tered across his brilliant shirt front, and he
dangled little whalebone cane in his hand,
"for all the world" Mrs. Denning said to
herself, ''as though he were going to offer it
to somebody to trounce him with"
IF that man amt Violet's secret, she
hain't got any," exclaimed Mrs. Denning
triumphantly as she marched down stairs
and met him at the door with her arms
akimbo.
Mrs. Augustus Comstock lives here,
believer" questioned the man blandly.
mo, she don't. live here, and my name
amt Comstock-it's Denning."
"Ah, yes, to be sure. Mrs. Comstock's
name was Denning till she married me.
My pretty Violet viii you be good enough
to tell her I've come, madamw
The widows teeth began to chatter.
Never suspicion or fear of hers had gone
so far as this She was literally dumb with
CONSERVATION and led the man into the lit
tie sitting room where Violet was without
uttering word.
Violet, who was sitting quite across the
room, lifted her eyes absently as they en-
tered and rose at once, her face changing to
snow as she looked at the man.
He came smiling toward her, extending
his hand, but she recoiled from him MS
though he had been serpent.
80 you have found me-" she said briefly.
Sweet wife-at last" he said, smiling.
She shuddered, and look of passionate
anger darkened in her sweet eyes.
HE says you're married to him, Violet"
pouted poor Mrs. Denning, laying her trem-
bling hand on the girls arm.
The mans lips opened, but Violet 81.
fenced him with look.
"Yes, mamma" she said quietly. "This
is the secret have tried so long to keep
from you-for your sake quite as much as
my own, God knowsl
II met this man at party last winter.
had never seen him but twice before and
liked him less each time At the party
they were acting charades and CHANGED
to be placed beside this man to play a mar
riage. | shrank even from the Jest, but
the rest insisted that should fill the part,
and as l could not well refuse without
rudeness finally did so
"By trick of this creatures the mar.
riage which | supposed Jest was made a
legal ceremony Upon learning the wicked
truth, fled from him here, forbidding him
to follow me-"
81 loved you, and | could not obey you
upon his heart and rolling his eyes lugu-
briously, while Mrs Denning, too much sur
prised and overcome for words, sank into a
seat, with burst of hysterical sobbing.
Quite oblivious Of either her agitation or
Violet's, Mr.. Augustus Comstock coolly
deposited hat and cane upon the table, and
taking possession of Mrs. Denning's own
easy chair proceeded to make himself at
home with cigar and the remark that 1t
was "a deuced fine place anyhow"
Evidently this wretch had come with the
intention of remaining. Indeed he present
ly told her SO, adding an insolent intima
tion that he knew his rights and meant to
maintain them.
suddenly there sounded outside step
seyet al-but one that made the color flash
over her ir"e ike red lightning
in another instant the door was flung
wide, and Christopher Lansing stood frown.
ing within it. Behind him were two men.
who at gesture from him entered, and
approaching Mr.. Augustus Co, stock pr -
ceeded to lay violent hands upon ina. -
tleman.
He tried TO stand upon his dignity
but word from one vi the men
him, and looking crestfallen enol
leaving his cane. behind him hei
away
HE will never trouble yclI
let," said Christopher simp
ready married at the tima
impertinent farce with.
now at the suit of his
He extended his ARM
Violet crept into them soS0ihA
ness.-Boston Globe
Collecting Bills.
If the creditor would strike the iroi
it is hot, he should push collection
time it is due.
At that time he will usually find
debtor in favorable frame Of mind
many men in debt view with indiffererl
the near approach of the day when tn
money is expected.
II has disturbing effect has the sensf