The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-10-08

more OF the young strangers motives
than at first, only two peculiarities
having developed on her part. One
was her eagerness to scan 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.
1t was i'm Difference 10 this last de-
sire that after reading over her letters
one morning, Mrs. Button said to
her: ~, 4 g.
Jessie, my dear. / am sorry to tell
you that l shall have n guest for a
week or two. because fear his pres
ence 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 in girlhood, and her boy is very
dear TO me; but we We're getting on
with our readings so nicely that I wish
his visit had been earlier or later"
Jessie answered her kind smile with
n look OF deep gratitude.
las 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, and was shown to 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
~ termed excellent company.
He was not in happy mental con
dition Mt present, however as Mrs.
Button, soon discovered.
why. my dear Milton" she cx-
| claimed before they were half through
dinner what has become Of your
appetite and your usual good humor?
You surprise and distress me. [ was
impressed by something sad in YOUR
letter but hoped it was imaginary on
my part. Now, however. | see that
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
n nice round sum from an eccentric
aunt who had lived n 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
l could ask from Heaven. since it
would have given me the means of
marrying the only woman 1 ever did
or ever shall love-
And is she now lost to you?"
He bowed his head, bit his Inns
nervously, and changed the subject.
Milton Arlington had chosen his
profession rather late. and was n
preacher of only one year and n halfs
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.
y few evenings later he entered
Mrs. Buttons drawing room. flung
himself, with Il 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 nv
mothers Oldest friend, and owe IT to
| you TO he frank, so / 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 irretrievably given to another. /
was drawn by a species OF torment
| could not resist to haunt the outside
| OF the mansion in which my favored
| rival lives. Ii belongs to his father.
| Jessie's guardian, and .he maker of
the match. l felt sure from the first
! that the poor girl never favored the
arrangement, and that / could win her
II / was rich enough TO speak my love;
hut remember, Mrs. Button. she Is an
heiress, and what motive would be
given to penniloss wooer as 1 was
them
But you are not now, Miltonr cried
Mrs. Button. eagerly. You have
money now; why need you fear to
offer yourselff'
1T is too late-too Iatcw groaned the
young man. There was a wedding
at the Jackson's mansion last night.
and she is Jacob Jackson's wife now"
NO no!' cried a joyous voice at the
door. and, TO Mrs Buttons supreme
| amazement, Jessie Pallama dashed
eXcitcdly into the apartment Jacob
/ married his cousin Fannie last night.
! Sec here; read 80 in the paper saw
it there, and it set me crazy with iov.
| Poor Fannie. 1 overheard Jacob and
| her lamcnting together over their hard
fate, and Fannie said:
oh, II Jessie St. John would only
/ disappear. reyer 10 be seen again.
uncle would get over this desire to
Keep her fortune iu TIE family. and
/ could be happy, Jake
THAT gave me courage to do o.
/ desperate thing. ] wrote n note to
/ my guardian, telling him I bad gone
away. never 10 return. and slipped
| down stairs. took my maids hat and
| shawl, and ran an the way to- Fifth
/ avenue TO Mrs BuUOu's-for LIZ
maids cousin lived there once. and
/ told me what a good noble lady Nfr7.
/ Button was. This inspired me with
| Tine hope that She would receive ard
/ help mc. when 1 realized how much
] was asking ] lost heart. and feared
she would refuse ilc; but She did not.
and / owe more than life to ho-w
cried the impuleivo girl bursting into
fears and 1ingug herself into the