Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-07-11
provoked me to it; but it was pleasant

provoked me to it; but it was pleasant
to have such a devoted attendant.
All, me! what's done cannot be I'M
done, however. and there he goes, as
fast as ever his horse can carry him.
Never mind, there's as good fish in
the sea as ever yet were caught they
say, and at least am now at full lib
erty to make the trial"
Six months later, Charley Vascoe-
whom report said had been killed in
a terrible railroad accident in Switzer.
land, but who was in reality travelling
in Italy-received letter from home,
containing these words:
"Your old favorite, Blanche Custar
is to be married soon, they say. He1
engagement was announced soon after
your reported death, which rumor, as
you requested, we have not contra
dicted. 1t struck meas a little singu
lar, though, that before your sup
posed death, no one in the villag,
knew that Miss Custar had a suitor
and then not three weeks after youl
reported decease her engagement was
announced. Odd, wasn't it?"
Charley Vascoe's laconic answer was
"Do not contradict the report of m.
death. am coming home"
And that very night he started OF
his homeward journey.
1t was showing heavily as Blanch,
Custar turned her face homeward from
the cottage of poor invalid, once
valued servant in the family, and tt
whom, in old age and sickness, Blanch,
had been ministering angel
"What shall I do?" she asked her,
self in dismay. ''It is a good two
miles home, and there is no hope Of
their sending for me, as, until after ]
left the house, l was Intending to &c
in an exactly opposite direction. Well,
l may as well start first as last, for
walk must"
For time she walked briskly, bui
the snow fell faster and faster, and her
heart sank as she saw how rapidly il
was deepening on the road before her.
Ere mile had been passed, Blanche
felt her strength begin to fail; but
though chilled to the very bone, she
struggled bravely on, thinking:
II must keep up; it is not 30 fai
now; and if 1 stop to rest I am lost
lost even if in sight of homer'
But darker grew the sky, and more
piercing the wind, and when hardly
more than hundred yards from hel
fathers gate, Blanche Custar sank
upon the snow, murmuring between
her stiffening lips:
ooh, it is hard, hard to die so! and
yet perhaps, after all, shall be hap.
pier, for L do not love Will as 1 loved
Charley, and know now that I should
be wretchedas his wife. Oh, Charley
Charley! I am coming to you, darling
coming, COM"
The white lids closed over the weary
eyes, and sweet Blanche slept the sleep
OF insensibility.
Ten minutes later a man came
whistling along the road, stumbling
occasionally over a tree branch OF
other obstacle hidden under the
treacherous white frosting, and at such
times uttering an exclamation more
forcible than polite; and at last the
unreasonable promenader quite lost
his temper, and exclaimed wrathfully
"Confound it! I believe I never
know when [ am well off. There ]
was sitting by a cozy fire and all the
folks delighted to see me; but, instead
of being contented, as any reasonable
man ought to have been, ] must need
start off up here just for the sake OF
seeing Blanche again; and-yes, per.
haps, get only cold good evening
for my pains. Well, / Hello
what's this? A woman, as I am o
sinner! Dead? No, her heart beats.
Who can it be, I wonder? Good
Heaven!'-as the pale face of Blanche
met his view-''it is Blanche-Blanche! I!
darling! sweetheart Look at me.
Open your eyes just once-see, it is I,
Charleyl Open your eyes, darling!
Speak to me, if only to say you hate
mel" pleaded Charley, wildly, clasp.
ing her to his heart and raining hot
kisses on the still, cold face.
A low moan answered him, that was
all; but it was hailed with Joy by the
half-frantic man, who tore off his over
coat to wrap around her and chafed
her hands as he watched eagerly for
other signs of life.
And presently his efforts were re-
warded, for the dark eyes were un-
veiled and looked up at him wonder
ingly; then, as she comprehended who
it was that held her so close, Blanche
gave a low cry of Joy and flung her
arms about his neck, sobbing rather
than saying:
"Charleyl dear Charley! Oh, they
told me you were deadr'
"Darling!" ard he pressed her
closer to him, 81 have come back.
did not die, and could no longer live
away from the sight of your dear face.
Oh, Blanche, tell me, it is not true
that you are going to wed another
tell me, my dear one, tell me you love
but me alone, that 1 have not only
come back to my native land, but-to
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