Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-05-29
FROsTBURG, Md. SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1897.

He stood looking at her a moment,
his heart smothered with pain and long
ing and love. Then he leaned slowly
forward and took both her hands from
her face and held them in the firm clasp
of his
Nell, dear" he said softly, "you
talk this way because you don't know
what love is. Why, do you suppose for
a moment that mere pleasant compan-
ionship would satisfy a man who loved
you? He would be only half man to
accept what you suggested. AS for me,
cannot go on with our friendship. I
will not take crust when have asked
for bread. You cannot help it, dear, and
must drop out of your life and live my
own as best may"
He dropped her hands, and, turning
away, began to finger mechanically the
little string that regulated the lamp un-
til the flame began to flicker and finally
went out.
81 beg your pardon. have a match.
can light it again., he muttered has
tily.
She watched him in silence as he
struck light and with steady hand
once more sent a soft glow over the
room.
Her eyes travelled to his face, with
the light shining full upon it. 1t was
strangely still. She felt peculiar little
fluttering sensation in her throat
Jack" she whispered falteringly.
He turned in sudden passion, and
OofChi,,u hot how ho~Ie Lo,
to him-so near that his white face was
almost touching hers.
She did not move, but deep flush
crept over his tanned cheeks, and his
arms tightened convulsively. The force
of his clasp crushed and hurt her His
face came nearer, nearer. Their breaths
mingled. Then, with sharp exclama-
ton, he loosened his hold-so quickly,
SO suddenly, that she almost fell back
ward.
Forgive me, e,"h he muttered hoarsely.
Don't speak to me. Good night. Say
good night to your mother too
He pulled aside the curtain with
rough hand and stepped into the hall
She could hear him getting into his coat.
Her hands were still lingering the cards.
From the force of habit she turned three
up. Her eyes fell upon them as they lay
under the lamplight.
A mistake-he was getting his cane
now. A-the door was opening-a
heartache She felt the cool night wind
on her neck and turned slightly. Then
there was the sound of the closing door
echoing through the silent house-a
mistake.
Her eyes chung to the cards. They
seemed to mock her. She stretched her
arms out blindly toward the door and
tried to call his name, but her lips did
not move.
Then in frenzy of pain she scattered
the cards on the table. Her eyes fell
suddenly upon one. She snatched it
recklessly from the pack, and rushing
into the hall flung the door wide open.
Jack! Jack!" she painted.
He was half way down the steps. and
as he paused and turned toward her, she
impulsively threw the card at his feet.
He stopped wonderingly, and raising it
held it up to the light
It was the five of hearts.
A>oA1! uC SAlcu, . opI1uS1uS up Guo
steps, His voice was hardly to be recog-
nized.
A sudden flutter of nervousness swept
over her, and with throb Of fear she
slammed the door tight, but he knocked
heavily against the panels.
"Nell, Nell. openl What do you
mean?''
The door did not move.
"Sweetheart!''
Then there was a little uncertain
turning of the knob and crack of light
appeared. Crushing through it, he
caught the slight, trembling form in his
quivering arms.
''Nell, Nell, what do you mean?''
II mean," her words falling spas
medically from her lips, Il mean that I
want to give you my-guarantee. -
Leigh Ford in Truth.