The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-07-19

times working for a week or two, but
accepting no permanent situation. At
last [ tired of the life and returned to
Chicago. arrived at night
and went to the Office
where had formerly worked.
While chatting with the boys I noticed
a woman who sat before case in dis
tant corner. ..z
8 How is that asked. There used
to be no women employed in this ROOM
. 1t is a concession which we have
all agreed to in this instance one of
the boys replied. she is relative of
that friend of yours who died several
months ago. The story she told the
chief was so pitiful that he submitted
her appeal for work to US, and the vote
was in her favor. I am afraid that she
is not long for this world, however,
II crossed the room hurriedly to see
who this woman was. She was dressed
in deep black, and she turned towards
me instantly recognized the original
of the picture that Jack had shown me.
''She must have read the amazement
in my face, for she stopped work as if
to hear what I had to say. I happened
to raise. my hand slightly, and she
caught sight of Jacks ring. She
turned as pale as death as she gasped:
!" Where did you get that?'
& 1t was given to me by one of the
noblest men that God ever put life in
his last gift to the only friend on
earth who loved him as he deserved to
be loved ...,...
'Hush!' she cried, passionately
you do not know what you are saying
L know that you abandoned him
for another, and that. the blow killed
him as surely as if you had driven a
dagger through his heart. I was his
roommate and his friend, and am fully
aware of your perfdy.' H.. -.
''Hush! You do not understand.
[ tell you'll she cried again, and then
hastily scrubbed an address upon a slip
of paper she handed it to, me. Come
and see me tomorrow morning, and
spare me your reproaches until you
have heard my story. I can bear no
more now.' IT,. =
II bowed and left the room at once,
cursing, this woman in my heart for
having slain my friend, and yet-so be-
Ewildered by her loneliness that I al
most dreaded to meet her again. But
the next morning I was as hard as
adamant, and on the way to her abode
thought grimly that no spell should
lure me from my loyalty to the dead.
''She met me at the door and ushered
me into a little parlorr facing the
street. After we were seated she
said, abruptly:
" You probably saw the letter which
caused my poor Jacks death. Did it
never occur to you that it might be a
forgery?' ~
"A forgery!' I blankly echoed.
Yes, a forgery. It was written by
my roommate in a spirit of mischief
We practiced the same style of hand
writing, and the task was an easy one
for her. Professor Budd was an eccen-
trio, sour-visaged man, and she
thought it would be the greatest joke
in the world to write to Jack as she
did,. God forgive her, she was young
and thoughtless. She told me what
she had done and I Immediately wrote
to Jack, explaining the matter. Nc
answer came, though I wrote again
and again, and mad with fear left the
| seminary and came here to learn the
cause of his silence. Then [ found that
he was dead-dead and buried
''She was weeping violently, but
could not utter one word to comfort
her. There was something in my
throat that almost choked me. .a. ~
g I have been here ever since she
continued, mastering her emotion, and
I shall remain here until I die. The
waiting will not be long, however. See.
ssShe pressed her handkerchief
against her lips for an instant, and
then held it up before my horror.
stricken eyes. Oh, that crimson stain
It seemed to set my brain on fire and
clutch my heart with grip Of steel
And yet I had met this woman but
twice, and only a few hours before
cursed her as a murderess!
''Why did fate throw her across my
path? She had no heart to give me
for it lay buried in the grave with her
first love. But she was friendless and
alone, and I could not turn away from
her, even though my future peace 0:
mind depended upon such a course.
could not and did not. I let mysel
drift on, giving her the fierce love Q:
my young manhood, and accepting il