The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-05-24


then, and / said to myself That's
part of the story! Say, Nell, you
and / are contributing pretty in
teresting little serial to the world,
don't you think?"
With wrench she brought herself
to raise her eyes from the fire and
look at him.steadily. II there was
film of moisture over them he did not
notice it.
"We have both had great good for
tune, Bob," she said. "We never
dreamed of anything quite so grand as
this, even in our story. Think OF me
with servants and a chaperone-n one
ever doubted that l could take care of
myself as long as l was poor, but now
it is quite different. And home
think of me with any kind OF a home
l had lived in rented houses all my
life, and very poor ones at that. And
here am, my own mistress"
"And that reminds me-you haven't
heard the best of my fortune yet"
cried the man, growing more radiant
as he came to the piece Of news that
would please her best. He was feel
ing for something in his breast pocket,
and he drew it forth presently--a pho
tograph of girl, with a apetted, baby
ish face and pert upward tilt of the
chin.
"There she is, he said, smiling and
reddening with pride and pleasure be-
meath the tan. "Her father is presi
dent OF the company, and she and her
mother have been out here most of
the fall on q visit to him..
She held the photograph with
steady hand and gazed at it for long
time-so long that he grew tired of
waiting and went on with his jubilant
explanation.
"She ldoesn't like living at the
mines" he said, $50 have sold out
my interests there. They are all COM
ing on in week or two, and we are to
be married next month. You are to
be first bridesmaid, Nell--I have told
her all about you. You'll never be-
lieve that at first she was inclined to
be jealous!"
"Poor, silly little grill" said Nell,
laughing softly at the idea.
leb-tuHJ Wuub lOlu H6T. IL
she could only know you, 1 said, she'd
never have another feeling of that
sort. But at any rate, she's over it
COW. 1 am going to try to get home
somewhere near this, where you can
be with her most of the time-unless
you'll come and live with us, Nell,
which would be the most delightful
thing in the world. She's such
child, you know, aud she must have
company most of the time"
She stirred at last. slowly and pain
fully, and laid the photograph down
on the table. The flame had died
down in the CRATE, and its glow had
suddenly slipped from her face.
"You were 80 kind to think of it,
Bob" she said, with a smile on her
pallid lips, "you know that would be
lovely. 1 couldn't have dreamed of
anything better myself. But-didn't
I tell you? / am going away next
" week-to-morrow-and will not be
here when she comes. Give her my
best love, won't you? and tell her that
/ know she'll be happy with the best
fellow in the world"
"Going away!" cried Bob, in dis
may. "Why, Nelll And leave your
new homeland just when l have
come back, tooP
"Selfsh, isn't it?" she replied,
rising as no arose, and leaning one
hand lightly on the mantel-not for
support surely? "But / was always
selfish, Bob; and the passion for travel
is on me. You can't expect me to re-
member friends when / have worlds
of money and am my own mistress.
am off to California-Japan, perhaps
i haven't decided yet"
"And L had been planning such
lovely continuation OF our story" he
said, dejectedly. "You might stay
awhile for my sake, Nell. Away out
there in the mines have been think
ing what jolly times we'd have to-
gether-with her-and how we'd
laugh over old times-and over that
story Of OURS"
Eyes, they have been so amusing" +"
! she said lightly, yet with a thread of
agony running through the note Of
gaiety. II shall never think Of them
without laughing. You can always
picture me wandering around the old
world-always with my chaperone--
and laughing to think of the old
| times. But the story is at an end,
Bob"
: She shook hands with him, and he
{ went away with puzzled frown on
( his brows. She stood where he had
Q left her, white faced, and yet with a
0 smile on her lips. The cat came to
| her and rubbed against her delicate