The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-03

large sheet of paper from under 4 chair
| by the door and handed it to me with a
| grunt.
rs this something o. yours?" she asked.
and | took It In my hand. 1t was the last
| page of a song. | read the words Of the
! refrain:
| And girl never looks at onc-and-nine
| With possible two-and-three.
Yes" | said. hurriediy; 'fts-it's A
| part OF hymn l was singing to myseIf-a
| kind of requiem. Mrs. Leach, don't both
er any more about the letters; ii doesn [
really matter; they We're worth nothing
/ This was true in more senses than one.
MTs.-Leach went heavily down the pas
| sage and 1 was left alone.
| had ample time for reflection during
| tine long hours before morning, and soon
made up my mind what to do. it seemed
10 me that / owed duty to myself. l had
resolved, much against my Will. to be gen
| erous Ia Melinda. but she had forestalled
me with little plan of her own. Now -
| said to myself, Il shall play for my own
| hand
/ walked boldly up to the Red House and
asked for Melinda. | noticed as | went
through the hall that the liuoleum was
worn threadbare, and that the stair car
pets were in the same woeful plight-Oth-
erWisc the place was much as ii had been
two years ago. Melinda's twin sisters met
me in the hail. They were seventeen. and
! almost as pretty as she was herself. Mar
garet was surprised to see me. and held
out plump. unwilling hand.
john she cried-.yOu"
Yes" 1 said. 1T IL John. You needn't
try to hike the extreme pleasure you feel
at my presence. | quite understand your
feelings. WIN vou tel Melinda that
wish to see her alOne?"
Margaret gathered her scattered wits
Melinda is out" she said, sweetly: and
my heart sank. am afraid | was longing
for the fray. | turned to go; but / was
wise enough at this moment to look over
my head. Melinda was hanging over the
banisters, listening with evident interest
to our lively conversation.
Il think you must be mistaken. | muir
INJURED. politely. Melinda Is just coming
down.
She descended with hanging head and
burning cheeks. and after n short but ami
mated discussion ! fsund myself alone
with her in the dllapidated old school
room. | shut the door and crossed TO
where she stood by the window.
- congratulate you on yCGr success" I
said.
Melinda evidently expected more.
"What-what do you meant" she fal-
tered. what success
| smiled. Your success in getting rid
of your headache. of course. You look
wonderfully well this morning."
She didn't quite understand whether she
was safe or not She looked up enquiring-
y. Had found out yet? Did | suspect?
She didn't venture to speak, but she turn
ed on the irresis tible smile.
Il am glad you are quite well, | said
cooily, for ! am afraid you will lind what
/ have to say a little trying. You had
better sit down.
Melinda looked frightened She seated
herself on the arm Of the big untidy sofa
and kicked nervoUly at the floor She
had small feet and always wore such pref
ty shoes,
Listen to me-" 1 said. gravely. BE,
fore We leave this room We have got to
come to terms"
She groaned. q know you're going to
be hcrrid. she said, nervously rolling ana
unrolling a sheet Of music she had in her
hand.
That sheet of music reminded me OF
something. ] pulled the last page of the
Tin Gee-gee' out Of my pocket and
handed 1t to her
81 think that is your property, | said.
The scarlet of her cheeks faded and she
stared at me with wide-open eyes.