The Van Buren press., 1897-11-27

them. Not passionately now, only rev
erentls. as ii they were something holy
-tenderly as a mother would kiss her
sick and sorrowful child.
MY darling my darling. If could
only take it away from you'll
eYon see il never could be as-as you
wish it." she says, dropping her face.
4 never could give another nan what
I paye him. And he never will know ii
now. or know I'm sorry-but that is my
punishment. Jack, don't talk about i
to me-" she breaks off, drawing her
hands from his with sudden shiser of
min. Its all hopeless and over and
done with. and l shall never care for
myself again, whether ! live or die; but
| do care for you, dear, and want 10
help YOU, if you'll let me; if you show
me the way to make some one living
creature little happier or better be-
cause of me"
Her voice and her eyes are fuli OF
tears. but he does not seem 10 see OF
hear them.
"Help me. is no use. little cousin
he SAYS. bitterly. NO use fighting the
devil. for he was born in me-it's in my
blood Ethel grasping her hand back
again in his, If | ever said a prayer, 1t
wouldn't be for my own worthless soul
bat for von-for your God TO bless you,
my darling. and bring you back your
Then Jack Dangerfield's voice gets
stifled in his throat. and the words halt.
He cannot bring his lips to say your
lover
There is Il soft roll of carriage wheels
outside in the night; Mrs. Dangerfield
Is coming from her ball.
As Ethel hears il. she springs up; and,
So doing. gives little cry as something
falls flashing from her dress and rolls
on the carpet.
My loeket!-oh, take eare.n for Jack
steps aside quickly-too quickly.
The little blue-and-gald toy that he
has seen every day round her neck lay
Just at his feet, and his boot-heel has
crushed it as Ethel cries out to him.
He drops on one knee TO pick it up.
.By Jove, I'm sorry--l didn't see it.
Its too bad. I'm awfully sorry, Ethel
What had Mr.. Dangerfield discovered? !?
4 name inside the golden eirelet, and
The small colored likeness OF mans
fsee-a comelv face enough, blue-eyed
ard fair. and full Of right royal pride.
His eyes rest greedily on it for sec
ond. and then flush up into hers. They
ask a single question, and they have
their answer.
give il TO me-" cries Ethel, hurriedly.
the blood rushing hotly to her face.
~oh. let me go. Don't lei them find me
here.s
He let her 90. There is no more now
to ask or hear And when the night key
rattles in the lock, and Mrs. Danger
field and her daughters troop rustling
into the hall, they see Jack standing
alone in the parlor. lighting a cigar as
he leans against the mantelpiece, star
ing at the mirrors faithful reflection
of his nonehalant. handsome face.
"Iael., have you any engagement for
Tuesday next?s
~ positive one, my dear sister" Jack
answers, decidedly.
Il should like to know"
where it is? On the Union Pacific
railroad. BY Tuesday next I devoutly
hope to be steaming across the conti-
nent.'
Jack Dangerfeld, what do you
mean2" cry three voices in chorus.
That I'm tired of the customs of the
east. and intend TO shake the dust of
this section, in particular, eff my feet,
please GCd. the day after tomorrow.
Going back? Why. you haven't been
home three months from San Fran
cisco."
Judge of the tugging at my heart
strings that draws me that way after so
brief an absence
Mr. Dangerfeld rises deliberately.
then straightens up his six feet of come
Z ly proportion. and then looks downin
his listleSs. half scornful fashion AT ;he
wondering faces of his family.
As he looks. his eve catches Ethers.
His own sallow. colorless face turns
shade paler, and he gnaws his mus,
tache savagely.
Its very extraordinary" begins the
elder Miss Dangerield.
Il leave you to con il at your leisure,
her brother interrupts, coolly. Il have
the proud satisfaction of knowing that.
for once in my life. my movements meet
your full and exact appreciation.
With which last speech he turns and
walks ont of the room; and he has not
heard one word from Ethel. either OF
wonder or remonstranee or simply Curl
osity.
50 Jack Danserfeld. according 10 his
suddenly motnred plan. goes steamiRg
aeroSs the continent. Nobody IS very
sorry that he is goue-except his
Cousin Ethel. perhaps-who misses the
. kindly. gentle eourtesies Of this good
for-nothing. and finds blank where
she had seen his dark. comely face.
with its bitter. unmistakable stamp OF
s-5iety.
Vow that he s fairly out Of New York.
and 3.0oo miles lie between the family
ears and the rumor of his miSleets.
there is a sort Of breathing space
sense Of relief At the intervening space
II Is night-a dark. stormy nighi-in
she midst OF the Californian sierras
7-a-..-a "a - .-rr~-. .,s ~.-s~sr --r -,ss, -s-1