Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-07-11

NANMNNy4NyylM oueehS; the young
N\MMSSYyXA man at her sid e
\<%SS&MlEr blonde and hand
some, very Adonis
in form and features-and a ) theyrode
along, the girls laugh rang merrily
out, in response to some remark of
her companion.
He, however, seemed far too serious
to laugh, even smile, and far too en-
crossed in his subject to heed the
beauties of the morning; and grasping
the lady's rein he exclaimed, impetu-
ously:
Il tell you, Blanche, I will not be
put off So cannot bear it. Don't
you see how you are torturing me?"
II, Charley" and the dark eve
brows were arched prettily, in pre-
tended surprise. II torture youl
Well, really, that is pleasant to hear,
especially as I grant you double the
favors I accord to any other of my gen.
tlemen friends"
Il know you do, dear; but that is
all the worse, if you don't intend to
accept me; for here linger on and on.
hoping for favorable answer to nv
suit; one day basking in your smiles,
the next hardly favored with q glance.
1t is maddening-indeed 1 cannot
bear it, Blanchel"
And his voice quivered.
"Well, what will you have?" she
pouted. II have told you before that
1 cannot decide just at present. You
are on trial, you know; but if you must
know the truth, there are one or two
others on trial here Also"
"Blanche!" cried Charley Vascoe,
his blue eyes expressing the disgust
he felt, lis this thing true? Do YOU
mean to tell me that those fellows stand
an equal chance with me of winning
your hand?"
"Why not?" queried Blanche, with
q proud lift of her head.
Nothing; only if you can calculate
so calmly the respective merits of all
three of US, you don't love any one of
is very deeply-not myself, at all
events" replied Charley, dejectedly.
Indeed! Well, since you seem to
understand my feelings SO we'll, per-
hsps you will save me the trouble of
deciding"
"I-oh, Blanche! Blanche! How
strangely you talk! Do you not COM
prehend how madiy I love you? Do
you not know how vainly 1 have
sought to tear myself away, when I
have seen the attentions you have
vouchsafed to others? And yet you
ask me to decide for you. How can
| decide but in my own favor? And
If do that, will you-will You marry
me, my darling?" breathed Charley,
in breathless excitement.
REALLY, Mr.. Vascoe," and her tone
was ley, "you misunderstood me. I
intended you to infer the opposite"
"AhP murmured Charley, with
half-gasp, as he dropped his hand
from her rein; 'then you refuse me?"
II fear 1t must be so, since you in
sist upon an answer, and am not at
all sure OF my own heart; but we have
been friends so long, since our earl
lest childhood, that it would not seem
natural for us to be enemies, or even
strangers; so friends let us remain.
Mr.. Vascoe-Charley, are you con-
tent"
he gave her look, only one; but
IN that glance was expressed mingled
love, despair and chagrin. Then he
spurred on his horse, in utter silence.
She followed him in silent surprise;
she had expected stormy outburst
of reproach and beseeching, but not
such still despair.
At last, as, they drew rein at her
fathers house, he turned to her, say
ing simply.
"Since you do not love me, Blanche,
would not have you wed me. God
knows | would willingly give my life
to shield you from sorrow; but 1 can
not love you less, and cannot bear
to see you happy in the arms of an
other, at least not now. / shall leave
this country at once; but if 1 ever re-
turn, | trust we shall be, as we have
ever been, friends, dear friends.
Adieur
And he seized her hand, pressed a
hot kiss upon it, touched his hat, and
cantered rapidly away.
Blanche gazed after him, little
astonished at his sudden departure
then murmured to herself:
Poor fellow, am not quite sure
but do love him, after all. I'm al
most sorry gave him his congo: but
A