The St. Johns herald., 1901-05-25
MM&gg5 NEEZENG QE FLYERS

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 Why Marvin repeated the query
 as one d2zed.
 ''Yes,- why? 1 had a right to expect something better of you than 1 re celVed. l waited for you, but you neither came nor sent word of explana- tion. There was but one inference to be taken, and 1 took it. You had changed your mind; 1 could forgive you for that, but it was cowardly not to let me know. It was cruel. It hurt me, Russell, more than 1 can tell" But your letter.
 Il wrote you no letter."
 Il received a letter, Marion"-Mar- win spoke slowly, after the manner of one who has been written by you. It contained one line, and that line was Russell, my answer is no; 1 cannot It was delivered to me by your maid. I did not think it necessary to see you after that. 1 thought you did not wish me to-
 The young woman stood up excited
 
 laughing, but there was a look of pain upon her face, and her eyes swan with tears.
 ''I understand it now," she said, bro- kenly; T see how it happened. My brother was in trouble. He and father had disagreed over the payment of cer- tain debts, and he applied to me for money. 1 gave it to him-poor bOy!- until my allowance and my patience were exhausted. He had sent an ap- that letter. 1 wrote to him, saying that 1 could not give him more. 1 put the message in an envelope and told the girl to take it to MT. Russell. You and he have the same name The stupid creature took it to you. 1 never knew"
 70, my dear" Marvin grasped her hand and fondled it.
 After that" she continued, hurried ly, Il seemed to lose my strength. was attacked one night on the street by man-a huge, coarse brute, who threw his arms about me and stuffed handkerchief into my mouth. I was not able to utter cry, so suddenly did he come upon me. 1 was saved by sheer chance. A gentleman saw the wretch attack me and rushed to the rescue. He did not even take time to call for the police. He was very brave. He was not so large as my assailant, but he grappled him fearlessly, and and was stabbed with knife. I knew nothing after that. I tainted When returned to consciousness was in an ambulance rumbling toward home. The police knew nothing of a fight, they said, beyond the fact that the pavement was covered with blood. They seemed quite disgusted when they found that I had not been murdered. 1 told them all I knew, and that ended it, so far as they were cOncerned; but so far as was concerned-well, it was weeks be- fore the doctor declared the danger of brain fever passed"
 She looked down into Marwin's up turned face tenderly, and something she saw there impelled her to lean for ward and touch his forehead with her lips.
 Marion dear," said Marvin, gently, | 'T would confess to you. During those | days when you were waiting for me | was following you like dog. I want ed to be near you. was near you that night"
 m
 In answer he pulled up his sleeve, dis closing a long red scar. o
 "It was a small price to pay for the of fighting for the girl 1 loved," he said. II went away after that quite satisfied. 1 felt that it had been worth while after all. I-"
 There was a sound of escaping air be- heath the Pullman, and the train began to move. Marvin stood up and made as if to jump to the ground. Then he turned to the young woman and put his arm around her.
 Il think I'll go with you, dear," he said.
 They stood thus, the morning sun bathing them in radiance akin to that which they felt within them, as they passed the eastbOund train Both were aughing like children.
 "I say" called Marvin, waving his land at the engineer of the eastb0und. you were right, it was fate; tell the conductor that l proved it to be so!' "I wonder what's the matter with hat lunatic," said the engineer to the fireman. Then he clambered to his ,lace and the eastbound train went on ts way-David H. Talmadge.