Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-01

''''''f 49, s7s'' IiitlItts lliotfN' 49,
Melinda. because it won't wash. You
nave thrown me over for Leonard
partly because he had lot of money
to buy you expensive dresses ana "'a-
monds and things. and could give YOU
"a Dig house, with a lot of servants y
boss over and partly because you AZ
ways arc influenced by the person Wno
is nearest t. YOU. I ought 10 nave
known you were MS weak as water.
You have mad a jolly mess of a man Z"
re, ana yet you can be pcriect'F
happy and comiortablc,"
Melinda sighed There never was =
more unhappy girl than nc. sfe SAID
l laughed. That's all n"nachS"
You are ms pleased as you can be be
Caurc two men are making themselves
mi:erablc abou! you. don't knoV
WIZ We do--you certainly are not
worth 1t. ! wish To heaven you weren't
50 'on!ounGcdly pretty
This encouraged Melinda to ty 4
| smile.
so sou still think me pretty. IL"
you?" she said softly.
Irctty, ! groancd inWardly. Tor /
knew that however plainly saw Mel
| midas faults, and however disgu5tcd
| was with her behavior. there was no
mistaking the fact thai ! was more III
love with her than ever. Pretty.
Besides" she went on, you are
mistaken. There Is only one man mis-
cradle about me, and that is you
Leonard isn't miserable. He is very
| happy. as indeed he ought to lac.
Yes" | said. grimly. h" ought in
deed, But he won't be for
| long"
Poor Melinda the thundcrholt had
fallen AT last.
"You-you' she gaspcI-"you are
going to tell him"
Yes" said |. Il am. unless
Unless what" eagerly snatChinS at
any chance.
'tnless"-I spoke very slowly I'M
less you break off the engagement ana
marry me"
Melinda gaspcd
john" she cried. you are mad
! . Marry you? after all this
Yes" said, trying tn speak with q
Calmncss | did not fecI--mdrry me. I
dare say you are surprised that |
should want to marry you. now that |
have found ont your true character.
but IN spite Of everything care for
you more than anything in the world,
and ! mean Ia have you in the end
Melinda laughted dcfiantly. and rose
to 30. This il too much" she said.
You have gone a little too far. my
dear John. / am engaged TO Leonard.
You are perfectly ridiculous, have
promised to marry him"
IL
broken
Melinda laughed again. This prom
Use will be kept" she said Good
heavens, marry you. after all tho
trouble had about il before You are
certainly mad. You had situation
then. with a small salary. while now
you are simply doing nothing. What
do YOU propose to DO 70 earn your liv-
ing"
AS YOU say" sand l. nothing
All" said Melinda. Il thought 50.
No. thank you. If you think my ideal
of happiness is broad and cheese and
kisses. and not even a certainty about
that, you are mistaken"
| smiled There might he doubt
about the bread and cheese" said.
Melinda stamped her foot. OH
she said. you are perfectly ridiculous,
| don't carr. what YOU do.
tell Leonard if YOU like. He won't be
licve you YOU have no proof
Leonard viii believe me" ! replied
calmly. He has known me as long az
he has known YOU, and ne knows that
( | at least am to be trusted. Resides
you have forCottea one little thing. or
perhaps you didn't know il.
have still the last letter you wrote 10
mc-thc letter breaking off our engage
ment. That was not among the others.
| carry 1t about with me. And another
thing Leonard has som" pretty
distinct notions about honor. don't
think he would marry 4 girl who--w"l
to say the least OF it, N Inscriptions
enough to rifle a mans private desk
That sheet of music found in my room
with Mrs. Leach as WITNESSES proof
enough.
And then Melinda saw that the game
was NJ. She sank into the corner or
the shabby sofa and began to cry. and
as said before. can resist Melinda i'll
any mood but this one. sat down be
side her ANA slipped my arm round her
waist.
Melinda" | said. don't cry. The
game is ccI tanly up. but there's no
reason why we shouldn't have a fresh
shuttle and deal again. 1t VIII be all
the easier with a full knowlcIgn of
each others cards"
There was no answer but Il sob.
tried to see her face but it was buried
in the red sofa cushion.
You know. Melinda said gravcly.
how much | have always cared for
you You know that il you don't have
me my whole life is ruined | made
UP my mind to be generous last night
and to burn all your letters. and when
| got in, and found that you had taken
them | registered n vow that for the
future | would play for my own hand
alone. You shall never marry Leonard
CreWe-that | swear, / can't force
YOU to marry me against your Will. but
can and will prevent you deccivinS
him. You don't play fair. Melinda"
Melinda moved a little could see
one eye and little pink ear.
Il am not really half as horiid as
you think" she said But, oh, John.
| do SO hate being poor
| tried to turn her face.
II believe you like me better than
Leonard. after all" I said smiling Il
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