The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-09-12


than mt first. only two peculiarities
having developed on her part One
was her eagerness TO sean the news.
papers: the other her anxiety to avoid
the front windows. and to keep out
of the way OF any but the members
| of the household.
Ii was in Difference to this last de-
sire that, after reading over her letters
one morning. Mrs. Button said to
her:
Jessie. my dear. / am sorry to tell
you that | shall have n guest for a
week or two, because | fear his pres
cnce will Danish you to your own
apartment"
Jessie changed color.
you are kind to consider me, dear
madam" she said
Mrs. Button nodded.
II am very fond of the young man
expect. His mother was my best
friend i'm girlLood, and her boy Is very
dear to me: but we were getting on
with our readings so nicely that | wish
his visit had been earlier or later"
Jessie answered her kind smile with
a look of deep gratitude.
"As he will be here to dinner. he
says, this Is our last morning together
for a little while, at all events
so pray let us enjoy our book
True to his promise, the stranger
arrived half an hour before the dinner
hour, aud was shown 10 his room
like familiar guest. He was young
man of frank and attractive appear
ance, not yet thirty. and evidently,
when In good spirits. what is general
ly termed excellent company.
He was not in a happy mental con
dition at present however as Mrs.
Button, soon discovered.
why. my dear Milton" she ex-
claimed before they were half through
dinner. what has become of your
appetite and your usual good humor?
You surprise and distress me. l was
impressed by something sad in your
letter but hoped it was imaginary on
my part Now. however, see thnt
you look i'll, and seem like one bereft
of hope, and you tell me that within
this very week you have fallen heir to
nice round sum from an eccentric
aunt who had lived hermits life"
THAT Is true. Mrs Button an
swered Milton Arlington. land Aunt
Mary's legacy, had it come earlier.
would have been the greatest blessing
I oSlr Il, ;t
would have given me the means of
marrying the only woman | ever did
or ever shall lovev'
And Is she now lost to you?"
He bowed his head, bit his lips
nervously, and changed the subject.
Milton Arlington had chosen his
profession rather late, and was a
preacher of only one year and a half's
standing. He was thoroughly in
earnest, fine speaker, and was be-
ginning to be known; but his income
was yet quite small. and his private
means had been almost swallowed up
in building up his church.
a few evenings later he entered
Mrs. Buttons drawing room, flung
himself. with listless air, into an
easy chair. and looked at his hostess
with the dull, hopeless look that was
becoming habitual to his fine eyes.
DO you know, Mrs. Button" he
said, Il am accusing myself of selfish
ness in remaining here. You are my
mothers oldest friend, and owe 1t to
you to be frank, so l will confess that
my object in coming was to catch a
glimpse, If possible, of-of Jessie st.
John, the girl loved. before her hand
was irretrlevably given to another. |
was drawn by species of torment
| could not resist TO haunt the outside
of the mansion in which my favored
rival lives. 1t belongs to his father,
Jessies guardian, and .he maker of
the match | felt sure from the first
that the poor girl never favored the
arrangement. and that | could win her
If was rich enough TO speak my love;
but remember Mrs. Button, she is an
| heiress, and what motive would be
given to penniless wooer, as | was
them
But You are not now, AIllton" cried
Mrs. Button, eagerly. you have
money now: why need you feas to
offer yourself?'
1T Is too late-too later groaned the
young man. There was IL wedding
at the Jackson's mansion last night
and she Is Jacob Jackson's wife now"
No, nor cried n joyous voice at the
door. and. to Mrs. Buttons supreme
amazement, Jessie Pallama dashed
excltedly into the apartment. Jacob
married his cousin Fannie last night
See here; read it in the paper. l saw
1t there, and ii set me crazy with joy
Poor Fannie! overheard Jacob and
her lamenting together over their hard
fate, and Fannie said:
oh. II Jessie st. John would only
disappear, rever to be seen again
uncle would get over this desire to
keep her fortune in the family, and
could be happy, Jake
THAT gave me courage to do a
desperate thing. | wrote note tc
my guardian, telling him | had gone
away, never TO return, and slipped
down stairs, took my maids hat and
shawl, and ran all the way to Fifth
avenue to Mrs. Button's-for ny
maids cousin lived there once, and
| told me what n good. noble lady Mira