Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-06-21
THE END OF THE STORY.
BY JULIAs TRUITT BISHOP.


originated was unat L was to come
back rich, and after that you wouldn't
have to teach, or to have any more
hard times-and-all that, you know"
Her hands were in her lap, and she
did not stir; but insensibly her fin
gers frightened over one another, to
keep from trembling. He did not see
it. He was looking at her with amused
reminiscence in his eyes.
81 don't know when I'd ever
thought of our story BEFORE" he went
on, until your letter came, six
months ago, telling about your Uncle
Waldemar's death, and how the home
and the fortune and everything had
gone to you. 1t all flashed over me
then, and I said to myself, That's
part of the story!' Say, Nell, you
and 1 are contributing a 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. If there was a
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 chaperone-noo one
ever doubted that could take care of
myself as long as was poor, but now
it is quite different. And home
think of me with any kind of 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 bis breast pocket,
and he drew it forth presently-a pho
tograph of girl, with 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 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 doesn'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 jealousl"
''Poor, silly little girlw said Nell,
laughing softly at the idea.
"Yes-that's what 1 told her. If
she could only know you, said, she'd
never have another feeling of that
sort. But at any rate, she's over it
row. 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 a
child, you know, and 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 fame had died
down in the CRATE, and its glow had
suddenly slipped from her face.
"You were so kind to think of it,
, Bob," she said, with smile on her
: pallid lips, "you know that would be
lovely. I couldn't have dreamed of
anything better myself But-didn't
tell you? I am going away next
ek-to-morrow-and will not be
/ here when she comes. Give her my
| best love, won't you? and tell her that
I know she'll be happy with the best
, fellow in the world"
!. "Going awayl" cried Bob, in dis
may. "Why, Nell And leave your
} new homeland just when I have
, come back, tool'
"Selfsh, isn't itP" she replied,
rising as he arose, and leaning one
[ hand lightly on the mantel-not for