Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-03-16

"It's this way, Jack. She's in
trouble"
"Jack, you know I'm a friend OF
yours; I have been ever since I've
known you. If you don't take what
I'm going to say as I mean it, you're
not the man think you are"
''Go on, Fred, 1 understand you. ]
was only thinking"
"Perhaps you don't know it, but
the town is agog with what it is
pleased to term your infatuation for
Mrs. Brown" Jack smothered pro.
fame exclamation, and Bennett con-
tinued: dorothy is eating her heart
out over the baby. She was in the
cemetery tonight sobbing over his
grave, and talking to him like mad
woman. 1 came up the back street,
and after little overlook her and
walked home with her. That's how I
happen to know. And don't think for
moment that she hasn't heard the
gossip. She has, only she's too proud
to speak of it. And, Jack, old man,
l don't believe you've neglected her
Intentionally, but begin again and
show how much yod care for her.
Good night"
Bennett left him abruptly, for the
old love of Dorothy was strong to.
night; not the fitful, flaming passion
of his boyhood, but the deeper, ten
derer love of his whole life.
Jack was strangely affected. Dear
little Dorothy! He had neglected
her. II don't deserve her," he said
to himself. "but l will" He passed
florists shop, and tender thought
struck him. He would buy Dorothy
some roses. He went in and ordered
box OF American Beauties. A stiff
silk rustled beside him, and he lifted
his hat courteously.
"Going home, Mr.. Ward? It's
early, isn't it? But" with scarcely
perceptibie emphasis, "it's-none-
too soon" Then, as her eager eye
caught a glimpse of the roses, "Ah,
but you men are sly! For Mrs.
Brown?"
Jack took his package and respond.
ed icily, 'No. For Mrs. Ward"
"Catl" he muttered under his
breath as he went out. And that lit
tie word in the mouth of man means
great deal.
He entered the house, and was not
surprised to find that Dorothy had re-
tired. She never waited for him now.
He took the roses from the box and
went upstairs.
"Hello, Dorothy |" as the pale face
rose from thepillow, in surprise. 'I've
brought you some roses!" Dorothy
actually blushed. jack hadn't brought
her rose for three years; not since
the day the baby was born. He put
them in water, and came and sat down
beside her.
'Dear little girl, your head aches,
doesn't it?" He drew her up beside
him and put his cool fingers on the
throbbing temples. Her heart beat
quickly and happy tears filled her eyes
as Jack bent down and kissed her ten
derly. "My sweetheartl I'm SO sor.
ry for the paint"
1t was the old lover-like tone, and
Dorothy looked up.
"Jack," she said, "you do love me,
don't you?'
His arms tightened about her. "My
darling, I love you better than any
thing in the world. You are the
dearest little woman 1 ever saw. 1t
isn't much of heart, dear, but, you've
got it all. Crying? Why, what is it,
sweetheart?'
"The baby" she answered brokenly,
and his eyes overAowed, too.
Dorothy dearest, you know that
was best. He wasn't like"
Jack could not say the hard words,
but Dorothy understood and drew his
face down to hers again.
Then she closed her eyes, and Jack
held her till she slept. The dawn
found his arms still around her. and
when the early church bells awoke her
from happy dream she found the
reality sweet and sbeautitul, and the
heartache a thing of the past
Munsey's Magazine.