The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-02-22
as ne tore It open. 'sMotherI Read

DEAR GUY" the note said, 'you are coming
now to take my place, and l can leave your
mother to your care. The Irene you loved Is
gone; only a hideous mask. My poverty your
heart overlooked, but your mother said to me-
on that happy day when knew you loved me:
| Guy could never have married an ugly girl
He worships beauty. May some happier love
replace that OF IRENE
The servants were summoned and
could only say that Miss Curtis drove
away in q hired hack.
Mrs Hazleton thought at once Of the
! uncle's letter, but she had taken no
note of the address, but remembered
the name-Hugh Conway.
cit is some comfort to know there is
a home open to her." he said, sadly.
but she is mine. have been fool
ish fop, with my absurd talk about my
sensitive nature recoiling from per-
sonal deformity. / will find her, l
must"
One year passed, and in the little
town of Deepdale, and the country
seat of Col. White, gay party had as
sembled to pass the summer. Clara
White. sparkling brunette, was the
acknowledged belle of the gay circle;
and rumor coupled her name with
that of Guy Hazleton, one of her
fathers guests.
Those who knew Guy Hazleton be-
fore Irene Curtis fed from his moth
er's house would scarcely recognize
him now. lie had become an earnest,
thinking man, something of a poll
tician, and had resumed the study of
law, meaning to adopt it as profess
sion. 1t was not an easy matter to
coax him from his mother and his
office to visit at Deepdale, but he had
consented to spend a month there, and
the gossips had decided Clara's black
eyes to be the magnets that drew him
from his seclusion.
"Will you ride to the village with
me?" said Clara, as she rose from
breakfast one morning. Il have to
buy some trifies. and want an escort"
Il am at your service said Guy,
readily. This is my holiday. But
want to send a dispatch, if you will go
to the office with me-
The shopping over, the dispatch
came next in order, and the young
people entered the little office where
the wires connected Deepdale and the
metropolis.
''How soon can have an answer
from New York?" asked Guy, as he
handed Slip OF paper to the lady who
answered his tap at the office window.
Clara shuddered us she saw the face
of the operator, and even Guys heart
| thrilled at the painful spectacle.
in about an hour" was the answer.
''Can we wait here?''
''Certainly."
The window was closed, and Guy,
placing chair for Clara, resigned him
self to an hour Of waiting.
In the little office the telegraph OPP
orator sat down, faint and white,
looking at the dispatch, which was
directed to Mrs. Hazleton, and worded
thus:
went to Auburn yesterday. Hugh Conway
is dead No trace OF /. Have you any
| news? Answer. GUY"
Auburn! The village where she had
sought and found home with her
uncle, learned his business and left
upon his death. How had Guy traced
her there, and why had he done so?
The message was sent and silence
reigned in the little office.
From the outer room came murmur
of voices, and Irene heard Clara say:
81 have had no chance to speak to
you since you came from Auburn,
! Cousin Guy. No success?'
tN0naf opI vybo1o xro,r hoe ~>oerol
since Irene fled from me-
"And you love her in spite of that
| alterations"
''Does it not make her a thousand
times dearer?'
II wonder if Charley would love me
as well if l were to be disfgured." said
Clara.
eff he would not his love is not true
Did l love only Irene's beauty my love
would now be dead. But we're she
hideous beyond description my heart
will be hers till death stills it's throb-
bing.''
While he yet spoke a gentle hand
was placed upon his shoulder and he
looked up. A tall, black clad figure
stood beside him; pale, agitated
face looked into his
Has my answer come already?" he
asked.
A gentle voice answered:
you see how fearfully am altered,
since you do not even recognize me,
Guy"
In an instant his arms were around
her.
How you have suffered, my dar-
ling. Your heart is unaltered, Irene?"
The carriage took two ladies back to
Col. Whites. The telegraph office had
a new operator, and Guy Hazleton had
three-nile walk home. Did he know
how he walked? Did he think of time
o. space?
CO.. White claimed Irene as Clara's
guest until Mrs. Hazleton could be
summone,. to double wedding, when
a young Bo>stonian claimed Clara's
hand, and Guy Hazleton married the
only love his heart had ever known
Irene. N. Y. News.
Generous japanese.
Among the reasons for fha ain ,OSt