Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-07-05

1 'AAeSCh w hCT mountain re-
sorts, others still were nothing but
mere formal notes asking for an en-
gagement-all breathed the spirit OF
love She could understand his actions
oven less as she read them, which she
did with marked eagerness Out of the
confused tangle of odds and ends that
Tiled her cabinet she searched for let
tiers in Newmsnn's well known hand
writing. The letters had been tossed
in promiscuously and hidden from view
slice.
q bright, crisp. new-looking envel-
ope dropped from her fingers as she
drew out a bundle, and. picking it up,
she examined it euriously. 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- her answer to his letter Of
three years ago
As she sat there regardingit in bewil-
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 a minute later.
He nervously shook hands. Miss Bragg
did not sit down. II believe we are 10
alike" she said, as if the matter was
OF so little importance that she had al
most forgotten, Yes, h said, getting
up hastily
As they reached the sidewalk they
stopped undecided which way TO go
Its nice walk out in the vicinity of
Jefferson Heights" Newman said,
hesitatingly. 1--WE used to walk there
often, you remember" ''Oh, nc, not
Jefferson Heights" she said, as if the
place was not to be considered, ''it's so
stupid detest tine place" She slow
ly set off in an opposite direction.
Newman walked silently beside her
for a few moments. Presently he an
nounced the discovery that it was
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 by
another and longer pause, broke by
Newmann's question; you remember
what fine day it was, Miss Bragg?n
She made an effort to remember, knit
ting her brows and looking thoughtful.
Utterly falling to recall it, she excused
herself You see we walked together
more than once and the days We're al
ways fine-l knew they We're, because
! wouldn't have gone otherwise And
then three years is too long to remem-
Der such a thing rs the state of the
weather"
After that Mr.. Newman evaded the
weather and that last walk as perilous
topics lie talked about people, and
had the air of man who wanted bad
ly to talk Of something else. He grew
nervous when Miss Braggat last turned
round and 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 ] 90,
If your answer is what l hope 1t will
be ! will not go. Why dil you not an
swer my letter three years ago?" Miss
Bragg's face assumed the expression Of
one who has an unpleasant something
TO say. ''Such letters are not easy to
answer" she 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-,
Newman burst out eagerly. you did
not ask me" she said, quite calmly.
Newman looked flushed and disap-
pointed. What did you write me2'
.e asked as they walked on. Can you
guess?n she asked. Ills face showed
his disappointment "Uh. ! guess |
know what it was. he said, bitterly,
land it has caused me hours of anguish
and pain, nights OF sleerless 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 bothering you again, but had |
hoped, after waiting three years and
seeing that there was no other man,
that you might change your answer. |
could not go to Europe without asking |
you"
They walked along in silence.
They were already within sight of Miss
Bragg's home. At the door he stopped
before her and asked, half implor-
ingly: "Am to accept your answer as
fnalp" She nodded an affirmative.
My answer is final, she said. Miss
Bragg" he said. TREMENDOUSLY, II can
never forget you. shall think of you
while l am abroad. I'm
sorry to have caused you the pain of re-
iecting me second time. Good-by."
He held out his hand and took hers
in a strong grasp. 'Good-by, Mr.. New
she said II trust you will
have a pleasant trip abroad THANK
you" he said. ''Good-by." He gave
her a last look and turned to go. "Mr
Newman, stop moment" she called
He walked back to her, his honest face
flushed with pain. II am awfully sor
~" she said. Believe | esteem you
1ighly and regret that this has oc-
.urred Your letters-I want to return
hem. Wait moment till get them"
You may burn" he started to say,
1ut she was gone.
She found them just as she had left
hem in her cabinet She picked them
-. o,,a ax-anad their ends so as to make