The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-03-16


the pale, excited face of his preserver,
sit is-it's Adelaide Ralston!''
And then the world seemed to reel
dizzily around him. and everything
grew dark. For the first time in all
his strong healthy life, Grant Ward
we'll had tainted.
When he came to himself, he was in
his own home, which the miners had
christened Saints Rest. His friends
were around him. Miss Ralston was
sitting in Carolnc's rocking chair.
His arm had been bound up, and
Symmes had been to the postoilice, and
was waiting with letter in his hand.
"Cheer up, pardner," Symmes said,
kindly. "There's a letter for We. It's
from her, maybe. It's a woman's
writin'."
Wardwell snatchcd the missive from
him and tore it open. He glanced at
the page. There were but few lines.
A mist came over his vision. He gave
the letter back to Symmes.
"Read it for me- he said, family,
"I-can't seem to make it out right"
Svmmcs was a SOW reader. hut he
managed To spell vu' the contents Of
r no ! T., in
voice, interspcrsed with profanity at
the sentiments of the writer.
Caroline wrote: Dear Mr.. Ward
well, l have changed my mind. | do
hope you will not be SO very badly dis
appointed have married MIR. George
Martin, who has been wanting me for
some time. He is wcll-to-do, and |
don't think | am suitable to be a poor
mans witc. My folks don't think so
either" Signed "Caroline."
"Confound her!' cried Symmes, saw
agely. "Jest like the rest of the on
sartin sex!''
Wardwell did not speak, but his
broad chest heaved convulsively. and
he clenched the fingers ofhis uninjured
hand IN the folds of the bed-clothcs.
Its a blasted shamc!'' said 1.-THE
Weasel" drawing his big fist across
his eyes-"all them six years wasted
building house for woman that
warn't suitable. If it was mine, I'd
burn it to the ground.
NO." said Warlwell, drearily; "Ill
keep it to remind me that in all the
| world no one cares enough for me to
live in it, ald make 1t home for me"
Then Adelaide Ralston rose from the
little chair where she had been sitting
and came toward the bed. Her beau
tiful face was pale, but her black eyes
shone with a steady light. The circle
of rough men fell apart to allow her to
come near to Wardwell. For a moment
she stood looking down at him, and
then she spoke. Her voice was sweet
| but firm, and no one who heard her
could mistake her sincerity.
"a little more than seven years age,
Grant, l refused you because | did not
know my own mind. Only when |
had learned that you were bound to
another, did | realize what | had cast
away. The woman in whom you
placed your trust has deceived you.
Grant, before these men, who are :. on,
friends, offer to take this false wo-
mans place. l offer to make Saints
Rest my home and yours"
A faint tinge of color swept her face
as she dropped her eyes upon the
ground and waited his decision.
But wild cheer went up from the
meE-a cheer that was caught up by
the whinnying of the horses tethered
near, and echoed 10y the mountains I'M
til every cliff resoundcd.
A light broke over Wardwelrs white
face. He struggled to his feet and
took step toward her.
"Adelaide," he said, "are you sure
that you are not doing this because
you pity me-"
81 am doing it because love YOU"
she said, steadily.
With his one good arm he caugh
| her to his breast, aud, with the touch
Of her lips on his, he knew that in all
his life he bad loved but this woman
| with his whole heart.
SO, after all, there was wedding
a. Miles Flat that day, and a fairer or
sweeter bride the grim old mountain
never looked upon than she who went
in unto Saints Rest as its mistrass.
Wardwell? Oh, yes he recovered, Of
course, and if ever thought Of Caro-
| line Martin crossed his mind, he smiled
at the wife he worshipped, and Won
dered within himself how it was that
he had ever been so happy fashioning
cupboards and cosy corners for George
| Martins wife.
Here is newly found epitaph, one
which is likely to give rise to a few
thoughts:
NV wife lies here.
All my tears cannot bring her back.
| Therefore | weep.
But it would be hard to outdo this
one for brevity, clearness, and Chris