The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1896-04-24

MY dear" he said gently, lit was
i given to me by one who is dead.
She was m ON .ntarly silent, then be
gun again:
IL have never noticed it before"
And vet | always Wear it.
"Whv?'
"Oh. Cynthia, YOU asked me that
once Because value it more than
anything | possess.
"WelI, | will give You one, quite as
| qlain'. m with an original inscription
will ynu Wear it for me!?''
Harpretty eagerness made him smile.
"Of course | will
She flushed a little. II mean, will
YOU wear it instead of this?'
NO: | cannot promise that"
His answer startled her; it WIS so
| srlve and resolute. She renewed tie
! attlcl: bat, don't YOU see, il [ gave
it t. You. it would be your m,st pre-
cious possession. Don't you care for
me better than any one else in the
| world?''
II, drew her to him fondlv.
| Yes: | can answer that with truth,
but YOU would not have ma break my
promiseT'
"What PROMISE"
Il vowed to Wear it as long as live.
If it be possible. i shall he buried with
me-"
1.-The dying have no right to eNtort
such promises from the living, she re-
marked sententiously. Your friend
was extremely selfish.
"Oh, Cynthia, she was an ANGEL
There was more SORROW than anger
in the tone He did not look for much
depth of feeling in Cynthia-Ihe had
been too spoilt. 1t was his task to
bring out the lovable points in her na-
ture that her luxurious life had left
undevelopcd, and in which his love
dimmal eyes had seen great and noble
| possibilities.
.She was-vour first wift!" asked
Cynthia. slowly. and showing no dis
position to retract her former opinion.
YES; the ring had been in the fami-
| lv for many generations She cOnsid-
cred it kind of talisman, and wore it
always, till, dying, she bequeath it to
NE. There is my story"
1T did not bring her lnck,' said
Cynthia, her voic. sounding hard and
unnatural.
1T had no power to prevent the ac
cident that ended our three Years of
happiness he assanted, bitterly. "Still
she believed in its power, and said it
would link m with the past, which,
Cynthia interrupted, passionately.
But there is your future, and my
future" she said, rising and pacing the
room rapidly. II don't want YOU to
he always dwelling upon what has been,
making useless comparisons. | want
YOU only to care for me-onl V to think
of me. Look she went on, facing him
suddenly, with wet eyes. you have
mdae me cry. But it is better that We
understand each other before it is too
late | want to tell YOU what | feel
but it chokes me-" She put her hand
to her throat.
Her agitation alarmed him. This
foolish rivalry, this .jealously ofthe dead
was unaccountable He strove to calm
her
"Cvnthia. what have | said to hurt
YOU. How shall the past affect the
promise of our lives! The shrine that
pure and simple spirit hold in my heart
dpprives You of no fraction of the love
that is ever yours: it is something sa-
cred and apart will not believe you
can misunderstood me-
She had hardly listened to his argu-
ment, feeling only from his tenor that
she was being thwarted. Now sic
| tarncd, speaking vehemently, an angry
| patch of color on either cheek
Then there is always t. be Il shldow
between us. | am to give all-all-
and share Your devotion with the men,
DRY of the absorbing love you hardly
need that baublc to recall"
You are unreas onably excited.
Pause Il moment. Cynthia; sit down."
She ob,.yed, shrinking Il little rs he
seated himself hesid. her. and clasped
one small, unwilling hand.
"'rhcr,. is ~ need for discussion
that pains and surprises IN. Eeyond
measure. You knew of my first mar
riaye when You consented to make me
the happiest of fmrn. Nothing has oc-
fd"nrt in til. depth of my feeling. 1t
is wrong, it is unfair. to reproach me
with a rem mrmhranc | would have held
in silence had You not forced the sub
ject on me But | promise it shall
trouble You no more Come, seal the
compact with kiss
But Cynthia was ohlurate; her red
lips closed torbiddingly. All her pretty
girlishncSS had vanished, leaving 4
look of mature resolution on her fac e
that betrayed nnsnspected depths OF
character. He waited edeNpectantly but
she did not move.
This is beyond me- he began at
last, impatiently. What more can |