The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-09-07

NJ She evidently re
EMI CARDS the earnestncs'
of his tone with amusement, and
seems impatient at his talking.
He only sees before him the 1.-THE
figure OF the girl ne loves. with hei
saucy gray eyes now and then glanc'
ing at him in mock surprise.
"Effie, yOu'll think of me, won't you
dearT he says.
"Of course | shall, just ms much as
shall of other folks" she replies.
But want to be different to other
folks. Effie, darling, you know that
love you. And ! don't thins that you
care for me at allr' he adds impetu-
ously.
At this outburst the :irl breaks into
ringing peal OF laughter.
81 know thatr' she cxclaims "You
have told me so many times. Then
why care for me. Why don't you say
IN hate herr"
Because" he interrupts, II cant,
dear. Fancy hating you, my darling.
whom | love best on EARTH!
"Ob, please do not worry me! Here's
the train, so talk sensibly.P
The young man heaves sigh, and
once more catches hold of her hands.
kiss me, my darling before | go.
You know, dear, may be killed-who
knowsp .t,
At this the girl raises her eyes TO his
and looks more seriously at him
"Well, Jack" she says, you used 10
-
glorious death"
The young man feels sharp stab
of pain at her words, spoken so un.
thinkingly but he knows that she
does not mean To hurt his feelings,
Still. he reasons that IL she cared for
him at all would she not 'betray some
dread at the bare idea Of his death oc-
curringi However, there Is no time
for thought, and, stealing n kiss from
her which she tries TO cvade, he
springs into the train, rather dlsap-
pointed at his farewell leave-taking.
Ehie glances at the moving train.
then up at the young man who bends
forward and whispers eagerly:
Goodbye. my darling. Remember,
/ trust to you to be true, and | shall
come TO you as soon as | can
Ellie. smiling, waves her hand, and
soon sauntcrs of the platform. Jack
watching her until the train takes him
out of sight
Left TO his own reflections he won
ders how things will end; he tries to
comfort himself by thinking that per
haps she will learn 10 care for him
while he is away.
All, If only she might! And so his
thoughts run on, always Of Etlie, until
De joins his regiment, and then begins
stern duty in earnest.
A year later, at Empford, Eflic Dal
las sits In the little low room at the
rcctory. She is quite alone, and sit
ting dreaming, which perhaps accounts
for the fact that somehow her thoughts
will stray to this same day. year
ago. when she badc Jack Rosslyr
goodbye. Only one letter has reached
her from him; letter telling her of his
still devoted love for her, and of the
dangerous struggles they are having
with the enemy But Etiie. light
hearted and thoughtless as ever, has
quite forgotten her letter aud every
thing else.
She does not have much time now
for reflection, however, for she hears
step outside. and low knock, ant
Hugh Pendennis, the squire of tn,
village, enters the room.
"Ah! good morning, Mr.. Pcndennis
You are early this morning. Eff,
says pleasantly.
EARLY, Miss Dallas, Nay, | coul,
never be that where you are con
cerned." Pendcnnis replies.
Somehow this would-be complimen
lacks the ring of sincerity, and Eff
perceives il, and gazes earnestly a
him. He is good.looking man at
first glance. and yet on closer inspeC
tion one would notice the rather Gun
ming expression of the eyes and tn
scornful curve of the lips.
81 come early. Miss Dallas, for
purpose" 'e says, "and that is TO as
you for my answer
II have waited months for your cor
Senl 10 Dc my Wllcs ana now tnc tim
has come when | must have it decide
one way or the other.
His tone. unlike that Of n humbl
lover has debating style. sufiicier
in itself to he very Objectionable.
At once, with calm but unfiuchin
gaze, she replies
"Mr Pendennis, | may as well te
you. once and for all. can never I
your wife. Please do not say nm
more about it, but still let us renal
friends"
Even while she is speaking 81
knows that that will Ice impossibl
for Hugh rendennis's face on hearr
her answer is white With suppress,
passion and rage
NAY. | am not quite so easily III
posed Of he returrs "Such n lo'
rs mine will not bc satisfied until
has gained it's object: and. furthC
more. have II in my power to ma
you my wife. Well. az least. win
you know my conditions. I think v,
will hardly refuse"
Efiie rccoils with terror for nev
before have such words been address
90 her. and the mans words sound 4
ribly omnOus.