The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-17

laugh and a careless Jest about old
time being still a-fiying. He fancied
he- gown was a little too reckless
her manner too pronounced. He
found himself watching through the
dancers for a glimpse of slim, airy
form, in soft little white dress
cit was good of you to send Jes-
sic the howers,'' declared Miss
Madelle. 81 assure you,'' with an
arch smile, ''for a moment I felt
almost jealousI" He smiled, but did
not speak.
The next morning he went down in
the wood in search of Jamie. He
found the boy in his favorite nook,
under spreading maple.
WELL" he began, you made fine
mistake yesterday, ] amie.".
The lad looked quickly up. GA
mistake, STRIP
Yes 1 told you to present those
flowers to the pretty Miss Madelle.
You gave them to her sister,
''I gave them to the pretty Miss
Madelle," insisted Jamie, sturdily.
"You gave them to Miss Jessie"
stOf course. You didn't mean me to
give them to the 9th er?''
Gwynne laughed out at JAMES in
dignant query. 81 did, indeed"
The boy was sorrowfully silent for
a while. Then he spoke. ''I wish it
was Miss Jessie. 1 can't help think
ing of how, a few days after I got
here, L was walking along the road
when the dark one came driving
along in her pony carriage. Look
outr cried Miss Jessie, who was with
her, you will drive over the boyT' .
Let him look out" answered the
other. ''What if there were one beg
gar the 1ess?'
$50 on commanded the squire, in
a low voice.
'I don't know anything more
against her, but I do know heap
more in favor of Miss Jessie. Who,
when old Mrs. Myers fell and broke
her arm, went every day and did up
her bit of work for her until she was
able to help herself? Who wrote to
the governor when Jane Sanders boy
was given a heavy sentence for bit
of a youthful lark, and got him par
doned? Who went down to Doxly
mines, when the accident happened
there, and got the neglected children
together, and washed and ted, and
minded them while their mothers
were moaning at the shaft? Miss Jes-
sic, sir-that s1ip!"
''Ah," commented Gwynne billiard
grave1y, and went away. That even
ing he called at Rockhaven. Henri
eta was most smiling and gracious.
He asked for Jessie.
''We sent her up to the city this
morning." was the reply. ''To be
confidential, we are anxious to break
up the affair between her and that
wild young Murray. You must have
noticed how outrageously she hirted
with him last evening"
s'No," re- urned Gwynne, somewhat
shortly, 81 cannot say I noticed any
thing of the sort. 1 shall be in the
city in few days. Can you give me
her address,"
''Oh, DON'T" in hesitating confusion,
"don't ask it-please!"
She paused in apparent perplexity.
'sWhy not?'' he demanded, b1untly.
CT am afraid she might act rude
1y. She is so young and Uniformed,
she expresses her prejudices openly.
And she has always had a most unac-
counta BILE aversion"
She broke off entreating1y.
s'To me?' he questioned, steadily.
''Oh, it is absurd. of courser' she
Gwynne billiard went up to
the city He searched assid-
uously among the mutual friends of
the Madelles and himself, but could
learn nothing of Jessie's whereabouts.
And on the very Gay he walked
down to the depot, to take the train
for home, wondering if he were not a
fool for his pains, Fate interfered in
his behalf in the most abrupt and de-
manner imaginable. Three
plainly dressed shop girls passed him
on their way to lunch. One-a slim
little fair-haired creature, he instant
ly recognized.
'sMiss Jessiel'' he exclaimed, lifting
his hat.
81 have been hoping to meet you
our friends Gwynne said,
''but none knew of your whereabouts"
''I've been staying with my old
nurse, Diane, and working in a MILL
merry store. Henrietta told me how
hard-up poor papa was, and that it
was necessary L should work for my
living, but that no one at home-only
she-must know. You will not tell,
I'm sure, Mr.. Hilliard.'
His eyes grew moist as he gazed
down on the pale, plain, earnest little
face. The squire did not go back to
his luxurious home that day. He saw
Jessie repeatedly during the few
weeks that followed, and he marveled
1T his former blindness.
jessie" he said one day, GIVE
grown very fond of you, dear. But
I'm afraid to speak my heart out,
when 1 recollect what Henrietta said
Of your dislike of me-"
'sOh,'' cried Jessie, did she say
that? She knew better-she knew
KNEW what2" he insisted quizzic-
ally.