The Penn's Grove record., 1897-03-19

slowly forward and took both her
hands from her face, and held them in
the firm clasp OF his
"Nell, dear" he said softly. 'sYou
talk this way because you don't know
what love is. Why. do you suppose
for a moment that a mere pleasant
companionship would satisfy a man
who loved you? He would be only
half a man to accept what you suggest.
As for me, I cannot go on with our
friendship. ! will not take q crust
when l have asked for bread. You
cannot help it, dear, and / must drop
out of your life aud live my own as
best l may"
He dropped her hands and turning
away began to finger mechanically the
little string that regulated the lamp,
until the flame began to flicker and
finally went out.
II beg your pardon-I have o match
Il can light it again." he muttered,
hastily.
She watched him in silence as he
struck a light and with a steady hand
once moro sent a soft glow oyer the
room.
Her eyes travelled to his face. with
the light full shining upon it. 1t
was strangely still. She felt a pecu-
liar little Guttering sensation in her
throat.
Jack" she whispered, fa~lteringly.
He turned in a sudden passion and,
catching both her hands, drew her
near to him-so near that his white
face was almost touching hers.
She did not move, but u deep flush
cropt over his tanned cheeks, aud his
arms frightened conyulsively. The
force of his clasp crushed and hurt
her. His face came nearer, nearer;
their breaths mingled; then, with n
sharp exclamation, he ioosened his
hold--so quickly, so suddenly, that she
almost fell backward.
Forgive me-" he muttered hoarse-
ly; "don't speak to me. Good night.
Say good night to your mother, too"
He pulled aside the curtain with a
rough hand and stepped into the hall.
She could hear him getting into his
coat. Her hands we're still lingering
the cards. From the force of habit
she turned three up. Her eyes fell
upon them as they lay under the lamp
light.
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 clos
ing door echoing through the silent
house-a mistake.
Her eyes chung to tho 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 a frenzy of pain she scat
tered the cards on the table. Her
eyes fell suddenly upon one. She
snatchcd it recklessly from the pack,
and rushing into the hall, flung the
door wide open.
"Jack, Jacki" she painted.
He was half way down the steps, and,
as he paused and turned toward her,
she impulsively turned and threw the
card at his feet. He stopped wonder
ingly aud, raising it, held it up to the
light.
1t was the fivc of hearts.
"Nelli" he cried, %springing up the
steps. His voice was hardly to be
recognized.
A sudden futter of
swept over her, and, with q throb OF
fear, she slammed the door tight; but
he knocked heavily against the PAN
els.
"Nell-Nell. opcni What do you
mean2"
The door did not move.
"Sweethearti"
Then there was o little uncertain
turning of the knob, and q crack of
light appeared. Crushing through it,
he caught the slight, trembling form
in his quivering arms.
"Nell-Nell-what do You mean?'
az mean," her words failing spas
medically from her lips, II mean
that I want to give you my-guaran-
tee. New York Truth,