The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-09-22

wandering away from her. People re-
marked on how much good it did Har-
riett to have her sister at home. They
little knew that all this gayety cOrer-
ed an aching heart, full of sad fore
bodings. | shudder when think Of
what Harriet suffered in silence, giv-
ing no sign Of her trouble.
john was not man enough to be "off |
with the old love before he took on
with the new" He neglected Har-
riett, who had the pleasure Of sitting
10y while her fiance talked and walkod
with her sister and singled her out for
conspicuous attention in every assem-
bly,. She was not without consolation,
however, for more than one young
spark who had been quenched in the
lustcr of Johns brililance now made
essay of his fortunes with her.
Through it all she never gave John
cause to reproach her with unfaith-
fulness.
Finally old Mr.. Dacy became aware
that gossip was linking Debbie's name
with John Bakers. And then there
was trouble.
Deborah, with blue eyes blazing
steel gray in pallid face, confronted
father as deeply determined as she.
John Dacy, senior, had ruled his fami-
ly with a firm kindness aud an exact
justice that had made him both loved
and respected. 1t was the first time
in all her nineteen years that Deborah
Dacy had deliberately deded her faith
er's authority.
81 love John,n she said. "He has
asked me to marry him and [ have
given my promise. We are married
in the sight Of heaven and | will nev-
er give him up, any more than | would
were he my husband in the eyes of
men"
"He is a light-minded, wild young
young num-" "quOth the father "Ile
cOnsorts with lewd men and women:
he is no fit husband for a good girl.
And this you know, daughter"
Il know he has been maigned by
those who are jealous of him. But
were he all you say, still l would mar
ry him for l love him."
And Harriet as wan and white as
her sister, and far more deeply strick-
en-, crept noselessly from the room.
On her finger she wore the little gold
en- hoop John had sealed in its place
with kiss as sign of their betruth-
al; his portrait still pressed her throb-
biEg heart; and what ado she had had
to hide from pryine eyes the letters,
breathing love and devotion, he had
written her That night gifts and
letters were returned to the unfaith-
ful lover, and the two sisters slept in
each others arms, Deborah still up-
consciousness Of the secret wrong that
blighted her sisters life.
A few weeks went by; some hint Of
the relations of John and Debbie got
abroad and one whom John had made
his confdant betrayed him with in-
tent. 1t was a shame for John to
make girl suffer martyrdOm as he
was making Harriet suffer. AT least
Debbie should know the truth: then
if she chose to build her happiness on
the wreck of her sisters and wed a
: false, forsworn lover, it would be with
eyes opened to his true character.
And so from the lips Of faithful
friend, not afraid to wound, Deborah
heard the story.
81 don't believe it," she said.
81 do not ask you to or my wore
alone. Ask your sister; or, ask Johr
: himself. He will not dare deny it,"
Deborah went straight home. "Har
riett, is it true that you and Johl
Baker are engaged?"
"We are not engaged" answered
Harriet. 5000
D "Were you ever engaged?"
t "Yes."
$ "Who broke the engagement"
u 81 did,"
"When?"
i' No answer.
u "Iell me, Harriet. / must kno'
! the truth. This has been kept fron
o me too long already. When did yo
q break the engagement"
y Still there was silence.
A. "Harriett, MUST know. You sfal
tell me-"
/, "Sister, do not ask me. Let bygone'
Ii be bygones. John loves you. Trus'
,r him and be happy with him, and leave
J. me out of it,"
70 Ibid you break your engagement
IS with John Baker before you knew hi
a had asked me to marry him?"
J. The stronger will dominated. Har
+ riett was compelled to answer.
9 "No," she said, simply.
y "That's all l want to know" sal,
il Debbie.
: What it cost the proud girl to di'
. cover the character OF her lover an
+ to relinQuish him, was known only
a herself. She left the house immed
ately, walking sedately down Il
It lane toward a grove Of trees on h
It fathers estate. There they found ht
it unconscious, three or four hours late
n- A long Illness followed, during viii