The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-02-04

would have acted upon his chivalrous in
stincts and forced him to stop. But as ne
did not look in her direction he did not
notice this, and cruelty commenced.
''Some years ago-I forget how many-a
young fellow, who was my chum at Oxford,
spent his vacation at Milfeld, a little village
in the North. While there Fred-Fred
Cover was his name-met and fell in love
with the wears daughter, Annie Raleigh.
They became engaged, and shortly afterward
he went out to India in order to represent his
fathers business house in Calcutta.
F0rsome months q correspondence passed
between the two, but at length Fred received
word from some friend in the village that
the squire's son was paying close attentions
to Miss Raleigh, and it was rumored that
they were engaged to be married. In q fit
of passion, Fred wrote, breaking off the en-
gagement, even before he received any cor
roborative evidence. The lady was either
stung by the letter or the rumor was correct,
as she did not reply, and from that day he
has never seen or heard Of her. He did not
make any inquiries, he did not write to his
informant, but simply waited at Calcutta un-
Til he had set the business affairs in ORDER
He then went off into the hills, intending to
lose himself there, and cut himself off from
all things which would bring to mind his
unfortunate love.
ssPOOr fellow /! often wonder what has
become of him. He has not written to any
of his old friends, and is, / suppose, almost
forgotten by all. But really, Miss Raleigh, !"
he added, turning to her and noticing her
agltated countenance, you don't look wesi.
Can get anything for you?"
No, thank you, Mr. Hardinge. But
no doubt YOU will think me foOlish-yOur
story has quite upset me.'
Il am awfully sorry. I would not have
related it, had known. But why should it
upset you?''
WelI," said the lady, her pale lips
trembling. Il am the Annie Raleigh you
have been speaking Of Fred Cover was my
lover. Poor Fred" she added, meditatively,
"and all through misunderstanding
ga misunderstanding !" said Hardinge in
an incredulous tone How was that !?
Pardon my curiosity, but no doubt you will
understand why should be curious"
Well, as you were q friend of his, and
know one part of the story, perhaps, it would
be as well if You were acquainted with the
other part" She sighed deeply and went
on: "It is true that the squire's son did
pay me attentions. We were busiIy engaged
in organizing some amateur theatricals at the
time, and as we were both taking prominent
parts, we were thrown into each others So
ciety great deal. But / was entirely faith
full to Fred, and when Hinton did make love
to me promptly gave him his answer.
But am sorry to say the idle tongues of
the villagers had already commenced wagging,
and l heard some of the rumors Then
Fred's petulant letter came, and I felt so
piqued and offended at his suspecting me
hot In,r f1,<,f Iry1cr
wore off, and / wrote explaining all. But
the letter never reached its destination and
was returned to me- Twelve months later
my father died, and gradually was forced
to adopt some means of obtaining a living,
and always having taste for literature,
have tried to make my way in the literary
world. Poor Fred, his petulance and my
pride ruined two lives, am afraid. But,
Mr.. Hardinge," she said, raising her sweet
blue eyes, now suffused with tears, 50 / have
remained faithful to my lovers memory"
For heavens sake, Annie, look at me-"
cried Hardinge, springing to his feet and
seizing her hand. 'Do you not recognize
me? Do you not know my voice."
Startled and surprised, the lady rose, and,
prompted by a sudden impulse, gazed into
his eyes. She paled, drew back, and then in
voice of mingled agony and delight, cried:
"It is-are my eyes deceiving me mo,
it cannot be-Fred Cover is dead-and yet
oh, merciful heavens-it is !" and in fit
of passionate tears she threw herself upon his
breast = 'i.'4' = -tss - -1s-.f'2ii''z
Hardinge-or rather Gower-pressed her
closer to him, and in a sweet, low voice con-
soled her, begging her forgiveness for all he
had done.
"My life, my love, my ALL Fate strangely
united us. You are mine now forever"
Forever" was the almost inaudible
reply, as she raised her glistening eyes to his.
-1Id-Bits
"Don't Tobacco-Spit or smoke Your Life
Away"