The Van Buren press., 1894-03-10

culiar interest. In the package were
three or four written while Newman
was away on o business "trip, others
were written to her at mountain re-
sorts. others still were nothing but
mere formal notes asking for an en-
racement-all breathed the spirit OF
love. She could understand his actions
even less as she read them, which she
did with marked eagerness. Out OF the
CONFUSED tangle OF odds and ends that
filed her cabinet she searched for let
tiers in Newmann's we'll known hand
writing. The letters had been tossed
in promiscuously and hidden from view
since.
bright, crisp. new-looking envel-
ope dropped from her fingers as she
drew out bundle, and, picking itup,
she examined it curiously. As her
glance fell upon it the blood left her
face and her heart stood still. 1t was
in her own handwriting addressed to
Newmann-h her answer to his letter OF
three years ago.
As she sat there regarding 1t in Devil.
derment Mr.. Newmann'S card was
handed to her.
No traces of agitation were visible
in Miss Bragg's manner when she smil-
ingly greeted Newman minute later.
He nervously shook handa Miss Bragg
did not sit down. II believe we are to
walk?" she said, as ii the matter was
OF SO little Importance that she had al
most forgotten. Yes. h 9 said, getting
up hastily.
As they reached the sidewalk they
stopped undecided which way to go.
"It's nice walk out in the vicinity oil
jefferson Heights" Newman said.
hesitatingly. "We used to walk there
often, you remember" ''Oh. no. not
jefferson Heights" she said, as If the
place was not to be considered, "it's SO
stupid detest the place" She slow.
ly set off in an opposite direction
Newman walked silently beside her
for few moments. Presently he an
nounced the discovery that it was q
fine day for walking. Next he OBJ
served that the day was just like that
on which they had taken their last
walk together. This was followed b,
another and longer pause, broke BY
Newmann's questions: "You semembel
what fine day it was. Miss Bragg"
She made an effort to remember, knit
ting her brows and looking thoughtful
Utterly failing to recall it, she excused
herself, aYou see we walked togethe.
more than once and the DAYS were al.
ways flne-I knew they were, because
| wouldn't have gone otherwise And
then three years is too long to remem.
Der such thing as the state of the
weather"
After that Mr.. Newman evaded the
weather and that last walk as perilous
topics. He talked about people. and
had the air of man who wanted bad.
" to talk of something else. He grew
nervous when Miss Bragg at last turned
round aud faced homeward. The walk
had grown to be dull. miss Bragg"
Newman said at last, I'm going to
Europe in few days, and there's some.
thing want to ask you before 60
II your answer is what hope it will
be will not 20. WHY dill YOU not an.
swer my letter three years ago?" Miss
Bragg's face assumed the expression OF
ono who has an unpleasant something
to say. "Such letters are not easy to
answer" che said. Zone has to think
before replying. did write letter to
you, but did not send It. thought /
would wait-I thought could tell you
better" but you did not tell me, I"
Newman burst out eagerly. "You did
not ask me-" she said, quite calmly.
Newman looked flushed and disap-
pointed. "What did You write me?"
he asked as they walked on. Can you
guess?" she asked. His face showed
his disappointment 'Oh, guess
know what 1t was," he said, bitterly,
land it has caused me hours Of anguish
and pain, nights of sleepless unrest
oh, Miss Bragg, you can't guess how
much it has cost me- / have seen no
pleasure, no peace, no rest 1t will al
ways be the same. You will pardon
me for botherinr YOU again, but had
hoped. after waiting three years and
seeing that there was no other man,
that YOU might change YOUR answer. l
could not 90 to Europe without asking
you"
They walked along in silence.
They were already within sight of Miss
Hrarg's home. At the door he stopped
before her and asked. half impior-
ingly: Am to accept your answer as
final?" She nodded an affirmative.
"My answer is final. she said. "Miss
Bragg" he said. TREMENDOUSLY. 81 can
never forget YOU. shall think of Won
while l am abroad. I'm
sorry to have caused YOU the pain of re.
jectinp me a second time. Good bv.n
He held out his hand and took hers
in a strong grasp. "Good nv. Mr. Nav.