Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-09-29

I TWO FAILURES;
/ ONE SUCCESS.

meath the trees, ami he paced moodiy w
and down before her.
Il can't understand It," he said, paus-
ing at last. You refuse me fatty, and
yet you soy You love me-"
I'm sOrr,. .iohn-awfully sorry-but
you must un,!r' s'and now that it's final.
l have told y". " reasons for the refu.
sal, and Won u,G~t see they are good rea
sons. And. aS for the love, | don't feel
any of that hysteric and overpowerinG
passion that the story books tell about,
but love you"
"Humphv'
Indeed | do. But just look. Neither
you nor have Il dollar, and we are both
orphans without prospects"
Il can make money, Kate"
Il don't believe it,"
"Iou ought to give me chance, Kitty.
It's not fair. Wait year and only give
me a grain of hope, and I'll prove to you
what | can do"
ITS of no use whatever" said the girl
firmly. "You can't make money. You
haven't got the gift. You're not thrifty.
No. | won't wait Mt all. | won't delude
with even n grain of hope. In fact. l
have decided to put a speedy end to this
nonsense. | am going away-off to the
city to seek my fortune, John, and if I'm
lucky"-and she laughed n little sadly
Il shouldn't mind to send for you to come
and share my fortune with me-"
The young mans face flushed.
you've got n very poor opinion of me,
Kitty"
How hard you make 1t for both Of
u.s.! she exclaimed. But listen, John.
IL | should marry you and hard times
came upon us, as they would surely come,
poverty and humiliation and grim and
grimy want and desolation, should hate
you, John. And you would perhaps take
to drink or commit suicide. Oh, it's too
tragic! 1t would be sinful to tempt fate
that way"
81 didn't think of all that" he said
brokenly. 81 only knew that l loved
you"
"And now, John, dear, dear John, good
by" she said, rising. LET us part
friends"
He turned and caught her passionately
in his arms and covered her face with
kisses, swearing that he would never let
her go.
For moment she drank In his ca
resses. Then. more angry with herself
than with him, she pushed him back.
bulu. Will never
speak to you again"
1t was late in the afternoon Of a sum-
mer Sunday, and the park was filled with
the usual restless and motley throng-gay
ladies in gay turnouts, toll worn work.
inGmen with their wives, babies rolling
under the trees, troops Of bicyclers whirl-
ing along the graveled ways, maidens
shy and sweet, lovers whispering divine
nonsense into eager ears-all the breath
and blood and brain and bone of the
great city stretching itself out for an
hours rest and enjoyment.
a young maiden, standing alone by the
shore of the lake, looked YEARLY at the
stream of life that flowed by her. What
did it matter to one of all that throng IL
she hungered for sympathy and compan-
ionship? How much alone and how lone
ly she felt!
A little farther down young man
stood, and he gazed, not at the boats, nor
at the water. but at the girl who seemed
so forlorn.
at looks like her." he murmured;
colder and winter and thinner, yet so
much like her-as she might have looked
after sickness"
He came closer, and the girl turned
about. racing him.
"Johnw
kitty"
1t seemed n lame greeting. They clasp
ed hands. Each looked at the other,
thinking of the day they parted beneath
the trees, uncertain as to how their
friendship should be renewed.
''IIave you been sick, Kitty|'
"No; do | look dilapidatedT
"Iou look pale" he said gravely. Has
the city treated you unkndly?"
1T has given me my fortune, John"
81 am glad to hear it, glad indeed"
yes" she said, with a nervous little
laugh. 'look at this dress, John, and at
this last years hat and at these shabby
boots. They tell the story | might be
only too glad to conceal"
'Why. thought you were in the very
height of the style" he exclaimed. 81
am sure | never saw you so handsome"
There was look of glad pleasure in
her eyes at this praise, but she shook her
head.
I'm failure in this big town. John.
And that's the fortune l found"
''Mine is no better. have been here n
year now, and my career has proved the
truth of your prediction. When you re-
fused me that time, Kitty, you were n
fortunate girl"
ado look fortunate. John?" she asked
softly.
You look like an angel" he said and
looked as if he believed it.
But you, you," and with critical gay
ETY. she surveyed him from head to foot,
you are well dressed, sir. You have a
watch and diamond and patent leather
shoes. Why, John. l declare, you are a
regular swell"'
81 get $12 week." he said. laughing.
"Thnk Of it, and only get S.. Twelve
dollars a week! Why. John. l tell you
that's riches"
You wouldn't advise n man to marry
on it. would you. Kate?' he asked, try
ing to look in her eyes.
But she turned her head away and
pretended not to hear.
"You wouldn't advise that, KateT he
insisted
81 know two young people who live in
luxury on So" she said shyly.
Suppose we try it, KateY' he whis-
pered.
81 don't deserve it," she said. 81 have
been a proud girl" and there were tears
in her eyes, "but have found out how
we'll love you. John, and have been so
lonely. "-Exchange.
This Is Not True.
TT