The Republican journal., 1901-05-09
MEL1NDA's SMILE.

raised my head to find Melinda "a
dazzling vision in blue cloth and white
fur-by my side, with the same irresist-
ible smile, and her face and voice as
fresh and sweet as spring itself.
Good morning." she said, gayly
enough; but somewhere behind her
smile caught a glimpse of anxiety and
could it be?-appeal.
Good morning." | knew that, if l
stopped, the little-very little-peace of
mind | had gained in my long, lonely
ride would vanish like smoke: but Blue
bell, from long habit, took the matter
upon herself, and dropped her head to
Craze by the roadside.
Melinda drew small, bare hand from
her white muff and stroked the sleek
skin. noticed how cunningly the bunch
of violets nestled in the soft brown of
her hair, and wished that was dead.
is it true?" | asked, knowing well
enough that it was.
Melinda's head was still bent; perhaps
that was why her voice was mufled.
Yes she said, sit is true"
"Do you care for him." l went on,
and at this Melinda raised her head in
dignantly.
you have no right to ask" she said,
with flaming cheeks II am very
fond of him, indeed"
No." ] said bitterly. 81 have no
right-no right beyond the promise
made so easily, broken so lightly. | will
ask no more questions. It must be easy
indeed to be fond of such an income as
Leonard's = with good looks into the
bargain. Goodby. | wish you luck,
Melinda
She caught my rein, and Bluebell
Ctonpo6 aCain Cho know mo and she
knew Melinda. l had hired her many
times before | went away, and we had
always, somehow, met Melinda.
You are very unkind,' Melinda said
quickly 'It isn't the money-at least
not much. You know how hard it is at
home, with no money for anything nice
I'm sure we couldn't be much worse off
if we were beggars-and mother grum-
bling and grumbling because Lisette
and l were both engaged to poor people,
and Margaret and Mabel both growing
out of their things as fast as old Nurse
makes them, and father worried awfully
with beasJly bills
/ glanced at Melinda's tailor-made
costume with a smile.
She flushed again. Her complexion
is like pink k-and-white apple blossoms.
81 had to have some decent things
l. wa ClSoSSo, oilC Va P'NAiiSN3
hurriedly, because of Leonard's rela-
tives and things calling; but they aren't
paid for yet, so you needn't smile in that
horrid unbelieving way. . And
them she went on, you went away all
that time in South Africa about those
wretched railways and everybody said
you would never make any money, and
they said | was selfish and horrid and
cruel. and Lisette would get engaged to
the curate and Margaret was always
crving because she couldn't go to par
ties and things and Leonard
was always here, kind and nice to every
body, and always doing generous things
till at last got quite fond of him. :.
You know ! am very affectionate by
nature
Evidently said l.
&. And then you said you
might be out for years and years more
Two years was what | said
8. And everybody kept bother
ing and bothering. and Leonard was so
kind and patient, till | thought and
thought, and made up my mind at last
to write and break it off. . And
| did"
Yes I said quietly. you did. I
found your letter waiting for me direct
Iy | got back. 1t was a pleasant well
come home. The woman at my rooms
knew | was coming, so she did not for
ward it, There is nothing more to be
said, is there?"
Wait a minute said Melinda.
''When you were away, l-er-wrote to
YOU
You did" said I-''once week for
two years. | have got all your letters.
They begin with VOWS of eternal con-
stancy and they ended in
thisn'
Her eyes filled with tears They were
almost the color of the violets in her
hat, and | wished she would finish what
she had to say and let me go,
'I didn't think you'd mind so much, -
she said wistfully-
81 don't want to be rude, L repned.
''but that is leland you know it.
Will you say what you have to say and
get it done??''
q want you to send back all my let
ters-that is ALL
'All?" said /.
"Yes. I have sent back yours, and
with the nugget-and--oh, everything
you gave me-"
why should l send them back at
ALP l asked. They can't be pleasant
reading to you now
1T isn't that" she said; 'it's because
of Leonard He doesn't know we were
engaged, and he has such ridiculous
ideas about broken engagements. He
has sort of theory that he won't marry
girl unless he is her first love"
you are very foolish. There is not
likely to be much happiness for you in
the future if you begin to deceive him
already. How can he help knowing we
were engaged?"
There is no reason why he should"
said Melinda quickly. Il haven't told
anybody outside-mothers said there was
no telling what might happen. Mabel
and Margaret are too anxious for me to
marry him to let that out"
But said |, ''while have the let
ters you know they are safe
II suppose So" she said doubtfully;
1but should never be quite sure, and
l should be SO uneasy always, and you
might die or something, and then just
think how dreadful it would be for me
if Leonard found OUT
''Ye-es," | said slowly. But, on the
other hand, l don't see why you should
expect me to mind that Why should
boya oov arotin,, for uo1,S ro,,