The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-02-16

only the primary school, the little kin
dergarten. Let us learn our lessons
WELL and neglect none of the tasks set
before us. d pctor Leigh, | am really
now
During the two-mie drive to the
house Of death, not 4 word was spoken
and when they approached the bedside
Of the dying man it was plain that
there was but few moments left.
Il am so sorry, Hugh" was all
| sufferer.
"Don't say you are sorry" he groan-
ed. Don't pity me. but blame me-
curse me! that is what | wanted you
! for"
"Lct us hear all that you have to
say, Hugh" she answered. Come and
sit down here, DOCTOR drawing a chair
to the bedside. ale will feel better
after he has told ALL
Doctor Leigh approached the couch
with look of undesirable disgust up
on his pale face.
With angelic pity Ms D,l, pushed
the chair back, AMI shielded tn. suffer
er from the narrowing sight.
Il lied to the DOCTOR" whispered the
miserable man. 81 told him you loved
me. | forged a letter, all | showed it
to him as coming from you-that you
were wise in heart, and was only be-
throthed to him because your father
desired it, And he believed me-aEd,
oh, merciful heaven, Will you forgive
mc?'
"As l hope to be forgiven, Hugh!"
said Miss Dale, tcnderly wiping the
poor face. already damp with the dews
of death.
"And the doctor-will he not speak
to me?'
Doctor Leigh shook his head.
For second Miss Dale's hand rest
ed in his as Of old; then, drawing it
toward her, placed it upon the sufferer
saying, as she did so.
Gas he hopes to be forgiven, too,
Hugh"
With mighty effort the dying man
turned his head and looked into the
eyes of the man he had dcfrauded.
''He does not forgive mel he almost
shrieked, land God will not forgive
me! What shall l d.? What shall I
do?"
A look from Miss Dale, that Doctor
Leigh will never forget, compelled him
bending his head very low, he said,
kindly.
81 forgive you, Hugh. Think not
of me, but of YOURSELF"
Five minutes later, the spirit had fed.
and the strangely separated pair were
once more alone together.
This tragedy had consumed only
about two hours, and Miss Dale dress
ed again to receive her New Years
callers.
Notwithstanding all she had passed
through, her heart was lighter than
when she dressed in the morning. John
Leigh had not left her without cause,
and life was not so utterly VOID and
hopeless as it had been.
Fourteen years ago since all this
happened today she is forty.
She has met Doctor Leigh in society
many times since then, and all the allu-
sion ever made by either to their pecu-
liar positions has been the earnest
query, and the quick, heart answer, as
to GLOW has it been with you?" And
the beautiful woman's eys always add
ed "Are you growing to be more of
man? Are you more constant to your
duty? Are your lessons we'll learned?"
To which his eyes always answered.:
at is hard, but l am doing the best I
cam
Now. on this fortieth birthday, Miss
Dale had just arrived in New York,
after three years sojourn in Europe.
During all this time not one word had
been heard from Doctor Leigh. For
all Miss Dale knew, he might be dead
and, as she dressed again to receive
her callers, the old maid looked in the
glass and sol;loquized. She saw pair
of gray eyes, brilliant complexion, a
face from whom whose delicate oval
age hal MT snatcael 4 single charm,
and she knew that she had not changed
as much as most women at the age Of
forty.
ooh, dear! what are looks, after all?"
she murmnred. "Therc is nobody to
care about it if | d. look well-;f | do
carry my years with grace and dignity"
and she sighed, as what woman would
not. at the vision Of h.r loneliness-a
loneliness which must last as long rs
life, an life bl l. fir to h)l | ont we'll.
Miss Dale had never been i'll day in
her life
"Miss Dale at home spread about
quickly, and the elegant parlors were
again filled with appreciative guests
A good many New Years had passed !
since the last call of Doctor Leigh,
and on none of these anniversaries ha |
Miss Dale expected him; but tolay he
was ever before her At noon her
father dropped in, and a lull ofvisitors