Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-03-03

| three or four written while Newman
was away on n business trip. others
were written to her at mountain re-
sorts, others still werc nothing but
I mere formal notes asking for an en-
gagement--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 tho
confused tangle of odds and ends that
filed her cabinet she searched for let
| ters in Newmanns well known hand
writing. The letters had been tossed
in promiscuously and hidden from view
since.
A bright, crisp, new-loolsing envel-
ope dropped from her fingers us she
drew out a bundle, and, picking 1t up,
she examined it curiously. AS her
glance fell upon 1t 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 to
walk?" she said, us if the matter was
OF so little Importance that she had al
most forgotten. Yes" h G 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. I'VE 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 detcst tine place" She slow
Newman walked silently beside her
for 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
Ncwmann's question: "You remember
what fne day 1t was, Miss Bragg?"
She made an effort to remember, knit
ting her brows and looking thoughtful.
Utterly failing to recall it, she excused
herself You see we walked together
more than once and the days were al
ways fine-I knew they were, because
l wouldn't have gone otherwise. And
then three years is too long to remem-
ber 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 q man who wanted bad
ly to talk of something else. He grew
nervous when Miss Bragg at last turned
round and faced homeward. The walk
had grown to be dull. "Niiss Bragg"
Newman said at last, I'm going to
Europe in few days, and there's some
thing want to ask you before l go.
If your answer is what hope it will
be will not go. Why dill 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 1
would wait-I thought l 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 me?"
he asked as they walked on. Can you
guess?" she asked. His face showed
his disappointment "Oh, I guess
know what it was" he said, bitterly,
''and 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. l have seen no
pleasure, no peaN, no rest. 1t will al.
ways be the samS. You will pardon
me for bothering you again, but l has
hoped, after waiting three years and
seeing that there was no other man,
that you might change your answer. l
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
final?" She nodded an affirmative.
"My answer is final, she said. Miss
Bragg" he said, TREMENDOUSLY, II can
never forget you. l shall think of you
constantly while am abroad. I'm
sorry to have caused you the pain of re-
jecting me second time. Good-by."
He held out his hand and took hers
in strong grasp. 'Good-by, Mr.. New
mann," she said. ~ trust you will
have a pleasant trip abroad" THANK
you," he said. "Good-by." He gave
her last look and turned to go. "Mr.
Newman, stop u moment" she called.
He walked back to her, his honest face
flushed with pain. 81 am awfully sor-
ry," she said. Believe l esteem you
highly and regret that this has oc-
Cured. Your letters-I want to return
them. Wait a moment till get them"
You may burn lie started to say,
but she was gone. ..|Itt.
She found them inst as she had left