Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-03-25

| . smile charmingly confidential. 1T
something tho same way with gossip
don't your" !.
II was Miss Murphy's turn to gasp
Such girl! But then one never coult
understand Jessica Ray. Miss M1rph,
thought It was time to go. With thu
cessation of conversation concerning
personal affairs her interest died nat
ural death. She was averse to vadin,
In foreign waters. The inodorous poo
scummed over with village scandal sui
feed her. She feared aught else.
"Good-by, my dear. with bewilder'
ed shake of the tinseled bonnet. II am
so sorry had to tell you. Life il full
of unpleasant duties. / never like Il
interfere in other peoples affairs
Charity l always say; charity and
silence II there Is anything partic-
ularly detest 1t Is tale-bearing. Well,
as I said, must be going. Good-by,
my dear. I'm so glad you don't mind"
"Good-by," cordially.
I'VE all thought" pausing at the door
for parting thrust. that 1t was to be
not only a marriage de CONVEYANCE,
but genuine love affair on both sides. "
Indeed" said Jessica, brightly arch
ing her pretty brows.
And then at last the door closed on
her visitors broad, black-silk back.
The blitheness born of bravado died
out OF LILLE Miss Rays face. She went
slowly back to the rose-ribboned rock
er and sat down therein for a good,
heartsick, discontinued, mortified, mis-
cradle cry. When she had been very,
very young and charming, and Jack
Sutherland an awkward lad of ten,
their fathers had planned a marriage
In the future. The planning stood, by
the way. upon an agreeably substantial
basis, looking at the affair from a finan-
cial point of view Soon after Jacks
father had died and Jack had gone to
live with his mothers relatives in Eng
land. He carried with him the memory
of pair Of sweet eyes, for all the world
like big, blue, dew-wet forget-me-nots,
for wee Jessica had parted from her
playmate with particularly tender and
protesting farewell. Twelve years
passed. Neither chafed-as in novel
istic traditions bound-against the
paternal decision of their childhood. No
fair English maiden displaced his first
love in Jacks loyal heart. AS for Jes-
sica, she had grown to think of Jack
as hero who was coming across the
sea to claim her. When she antici-
pated that coming before her minds
eye forth pranced a snowy charger
bearing plumed knight.
On day, just two weeks ago 1t was,
she went down to the drawing room in
response to the servants announcement.
A gentleman standing in the window
turned at her entrance. He came swift
ly forward, both hands extended, his
face Frightening with gay admiration.
1T is-it is-little Jessica!"
She knew him then. Without cur
veted no splendid steed. BY his side
swung no jeweled scabbard. Around
his neck was swung no mandolin. From
his shoulder fell no cloak Of ruby vel
vet. Not stalwart statured was he,
nor raven haired, nor flashing eyed.
Not the grand creation of her girl
hoods sweet foolish dreams, in truth,
his rivals would have said, very or
binary young man. But he had come!
Jessica's heart gave great throb. A
true woman, though, ego, an arch
hypocrite she put her hand in his with
an air of cool surprise, touch OF we'll
bred reproof in her greeting.
And you are-Mr. Sutherland"
Neither had in any way suggested the
odd relation in which they tacitly stood
to each other. Both felt the chain
that bound them, for all it's massive
golden links a very frail and brittle
one in the passionate strength of
youthful impulse. Neither would be
slow to fling it off il the bandage proved
however, 1t did not. The
ignorant romantic affection
which had been smoldering in their
hearts since the sorrowful parting of
the playmates, at word, a touch, a
look blazed up into a pure, and strong,
Jack Sutherland made short work.
Putting aside the understanding be-
tween their fathers like the man he
was, he woed her for her own sweet
sake. Just two nights ago he haG told
her in his own direct fashion how dear
ly he loved her. And Jessica-well, last
evening had come the sappnlre ring
that-only last evening and to-day
this!
II Miss Murphy's neat little shell had
not brought death it had caused pain
akin to it.
Its the money!" moaned Jessica.
cts the horrid detestable money he
wants. 1t isn't mel" And then face
with clear brown eyes and kind grave
smile arose before her and she broke
down crying afresh.
But after awhile she sprang up rub
bling two small resolute fists in two
very pink eyes. II won't see him to-
night. And I'll be in the library at 10.
And I'll hear what else he has to-No,
I won't! / won't eavesdrop. But I'll
look my very loveliest-I will Will"
And she did.
AS she came up the parlors at Mrs.
Bryant's small and early" Miss MUIR
first on the field-looked
at her in amazement. Quite bewitch-
ing vision little Miss Ray tonight,
star-eyed, smiling, her slim,
dusk draperies of lace trailing softly
behind her, huge cluster of violets
at the bosom. 1t was after 10 before