Gloucester County Democrat., 1897-02-04
NUMBER 26

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cally no difference.
Poor Mr.. Carsoni'' l ventured to
put in. "Is he 30 too?' But nothing
would stop Jane or turn her from her
purpose.
"You have only to give him little
encouragement" +" she went on, and if
you don't the widow will marry him.
Remember, you are no longer young. .
| (Ye gods, here it is again!) "Your
beauty is going off. and in another year
you will be quite stout Encourage him
little, just as | used to do with Ned
With your experience
But at this stage the worm t. rna /
can bear no more, and with the refrain,
your last chance, ringing in my ears,
the door is closed, and am left alone
What am to do? Ought l to take
Mr.. Carson, my last chance?" Or shall
go on making fool of myself over a
man whom have not spoken to for the
last 10 years? Poor Harry Why was I
SO obdurate?
Next afternoon, with James candid,
even cruel, expression, ''last chance, .
still ringing in my ears. went out to
make few purchases. At the corner of
our street stepped into car, when,
oh, horror, whom should sit down be-
side but Harry Summers
He looked at me very hard, but I
stared straight out at the opposite win
dow. Unluekily, my umbrella dropped
on the floor. Instantly be picked it up,
cauiY,cs IIox., 80 NTs-. VHoA.-,.
/ thanked him and stole a glance at
his face.
Charming weather. he remarked.
tIt's dreadfully wet,n I returned.
81 mean it's delightfulp' I gasped in
horror at my mistake, for the day was
lovely. My veil was down, fortunately,
and might hide my bushes, but / had
no time to recover mysslf, when be said,
with the utmost audacity:
''We have not met SO much of late,
Miss Watson? Can you tell me if that
is your fault or mine?''
was quite taken aback by his ques-
tion, but managed to articulate the only
word could think of-"No"
At this moment the car stopped, and
then thought of Jane, and with o
smile and pleasant Good morning.
hurried out. Scarcely had Preached the
pavement when Harry was at my side
with the words:
"Your umbrella, Miss Watson" :"
which had most unfortunately left in
the car
Again thought of Jane, the merci-
less, and smiled and thanked him in
quite friendly way, expecting that he
would hurry after his car. Instead Of
that he walked on at my side and began
talking as if we had been meeting every
day for months back. I must admit,
even if Jane were here, that I forgot
everything and became quite happy.
At jewelers. window l stopped to
admire lovely diamond bracelet, when
Harry said. 81 never pass this shop
without remembering something that
happened long ago.
I glanced up in his face, the hot blood
mounting to my cheeks, for l felt the
crisis had come.
Twelve years ago I bought a ring in
that shop Would you like to see it,
Miss Watson?' be asked.
thought of the horrid words 'Iast
chance. :" and looking up in his face an
swered with very faint Eyes"
Taking a small case from his pocket,
he opened it and held it before my eyes.
/ could not but admire the ring, for
1t was lovely. Then Harry said: ''Bar-
bara, it was meant for you. Try if It
will fit you now"
Yes. Harry" managed to reply.
am certain that Jane herself did not
give Ned more encouragement than 1
did Harry, for Ipulled off my glove and
allowed him to slip the ring ON my fin
ger, and that was all.
After little Harry said quietly, ''We
have been pair of fools.
'No. was my answer, II have been
the fool; you the victim of my follyl'
The same afternoon, just as had fin
ished cup of tea, Jane bounced into
the room.
"Aunt Barbara, she said, ''Mr. Car
son has come to spend the evening with
us, and want you to meet him. "
l could not help smiling at James
eagerness, and, leaning back in my
chair, assured her that was not equal
to going out.
"Why, aunt, I never saw you look
ing so we'll. You look quite young to-
night, she continued
THE result of being happy, my
aear," was my quiet reply.
Jane for once was puzzled. "Were
you out today, and did you meet some
one?'' To her two questions Iquietly
replied, Yes.
Jane opened her eyes wide. "And,
oh, Harry SummersP' she gasped.
YES, Jane, dear, have had lucky
escape from my ''last chance.
But Jane, the practical, was not con-
WINGED. ''Mr. Carson might not have
asked you, after all, you know" she
says, "and Aunt Barbara, you were
wise to accept Harry, for really it might
have been your last chance. Scottish
Nights.