The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1894-11-24

ing and foaming angrily; the gulls
whilcd above my head, shrieking and
dipping into the white-cspped waves.
And then, watching the sun go down,
] began to wonder at Rogers delay.
We had walked upon the beach every
pleasant evening, but never before
had awaited his coming at this spot.
And, thinking how pleased lac would
be to find me SO much nearer than he
anticipated, / smiled to myself as
marked at last his familiar form NOV
ing along the beach. But-where
was he going? He directed his steps
to little nook or cove on the shore,
which had never visited. for he had
warned me of its danger when the
tide was in.
AS he enter ed the sheltered nook.
perceived that the place WAS occupied,
for there was the gleam of q gay
dress, and then l saw slender form.
1t was Milly Dean, the daughter of
fisherman. living near, and my heart
gave great, angry bound, rs saw
that Roger evidently expected her. l
saw her turn to meet him. and fling
ing back her long, dark hair from her
pretty face, she seized his hands with
passionate gesture.
But ! waited to see no more. Down
from the rock l dashed, and turned
toward home. Then, ] composed my
self, and walking quietly to the hotel,
l sought my own apartments. My
mother-gentle soul-attributirg my
agitation to my parting with Roger,
tried to soothe me, and l was too
heart-sick to explain. In short
time, | heard his voice asking the
servant if we were engaged, and re-
gardless of consc qucnces, ! sent down
word that / was too i'll to see him, ON
that, the last evening we were to be
together.
The next morning, before the ship
sailed, / wrote line to Mr.. Roger
Dermott, and returning u book which
| had found awaiting me, / told him
that he was free; our engagement
was at an end. And, with quiet scorn,
/ warned him not to write to me, for
if he did, | W ouid burn his letters
unopened. And Roger Dermott
knew that never b rolic my word.
slipped his ring into the envelope,
and so, it was all over.
After that we returned to our
home in New York; and there the
fever seized me. went down to the
gates of death. but my feet were
staid at tn, portals; so l came back to
life, with its duties and stern realities
One blow foil owed another in quick
succession. Hardly had l regained
my strength. when my mother set
forth upon that last lonesome jour
ney that we all must take alone.
With her dear hand in mine, /
watched her as she fell in sleep"
She died uncons cious Of what had
come between Roger and !. and
our two names were the last upon
her lips. Died. And we, who had
always been together. were part ed
forever now!
stood alone in the world. God
help the poor w oman who has that to
say of herself, and with woman's
prccarious chances of ear ming an hon
est livelihood. But, was fortunate
in finding friend, and just at the
blacklist hour of my night, the hour
before the day-dawn, just when my
heart had failed me, and desolate and
alone l felt "hedged in" by all the
pitiless world, a kind hand was
stretched out to save me from de-
spair. An old time friend of my
father offered me the charge Of cir
library, and too thankful for
words, wrung his hand in gratitude,
and turned my face in the direction
Of my work
1t was in the beginning of winter,
and glad was l of the employment
which would secure me from want
during that inclement season, and 1
was ready for the hardest most irk-
some task.
Mr.. Lee, my employer, was gen.
ial old gentleman, perfect book
worm," and l So on found my work
engrossing. Among books / could not
be very lonely; and so the days wore
away, and at last / grew quietly
happy.
Some three years had elapsed sin ce
my mothers death, when one day,
going into an unus ed room, stun
bled over a small wooden box.
"Bless me!' exclaimed Mr.. Lee, IF
there isn't that box of secondhand
books which l purchased two weeks
ago! They comprise some valuable
works, and are worth somethingw
So saying. he removed the lid from
the box. / assisted him in asserting
the contents. Almost the first vol
ume touched was copy of Longfel-
lows poems, with Roger Dermott's
name on the fly leaf. Well did l re-
member the book-which he had sent
me the day before he had sailed for
the Indies.
AS opened it, folded paper flut-
tered from between the leaves to the
floor. 1t was q letter addressed to
me, in Rogers well-remembered
hand. Trembling like leaf, read
these words:
DARLING MARIAN: Forgive me II lido not
come as early as usual tonight Little Mile
Dean has begged me to do her q favor. The
poor little girl has lover, an honest steady
fellow, but her father, who Is hard hearted
old man, is opposed to the marriaye; and, as
/ have somo influence with him, have con-
sented to- try and induce him to consent I
send this note, darling with the copy of
y