New-York tribune., 1901-02-24

been OUT
Not nobody. as l knows on she replied.
with her mouth open.
Have you been in all the evening"" went on
in 'leS! !cTatiOn
Me? Lor'. no. sir. I've been up at the Red
'Ouse avin' bit o supper with our Martha
Alice
Did you lock the door when you went Out?'
Me? Lor'. no, sir. We never lock the doors
afore bedtime. There's one as 'ud break in
i Pettover-Iet alone there bein' nothn to take
Well they've found something at last l
said. But what they want with IL parcel of old
letters beats me. Do you suppose they took
them for bauknotes?' And then stopped sud
denly. for remembered some one who dId want
those letters.
Mrs Leach stopped and picked up large
sheet of paper from under a chair by the door.
and handed II to me With grunC
rs this something o yours? she asked; and
took it in my hand. 1t was the last page OF
song. ! read the words of the refrain:
And girl never looks at one-and-n nine
With a possible two-and-three"
oh Melinda. Melinda,
Yes | said hurriedIy. 'it's-its part of
hymn | was singing to myself-a kind of
QUEEN. Mrs. Leach. don't bother any more
about the letters: il doesn't really matter: they
worth nothing" This was true in more
senses than one.
Mrs. Leach went heavily down the passage
and was left alone
| had ample time for reflection during the long
hours before morning, and soon made up my
mind what to do. II seemed to me that 1
owed a duty to myself | had resolved. much
against my will. to be generous to 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. l noticed as 1 went through
the hall that the linolpum was worn thread
bare and that the stair carpets in the
same woful pght-otherw wise the place was
much as il had been two years ago. Melindas
twin sisters in the hall They were
seventeen. and almost as pretty as she was
herself. Margaret was surprised to- see me. and
held out plump. unwilling hand
John she Cried--"you?"
Yes" said lit is John You needn't try
10 hide the extreme pleasure you feel at my
presence quite understand your feelings VIII
you tell Melinda that l wish To see her alone?'
Marearet gathered her scattered wits
Melinda is out" she said sweetly; and my
heart sank. ! am afraid 1 longing for the
fray. turned to go. but I was wise enough at
this moment 10 look over my head. Melinda
VAS hanging over the banistrcs. listening with
evident interest to our lively conversation
Il think you must he mistaken murmured
politely Melinda is just coming down
She descended with hanging head and burning
checks. and after "A short but animated discus
sion | found myself alone with her in the di
lapidated old schoolroom. shut the dunr. and
crossed 10 where she stood by the window
Il congratulate you your success. 1 said.
Melinda evidently expected more
What what DO you mean she falteTed.
What success '''
smiled Your success in getting rii Of your
headache. OF course You look wonderfully well
TINS morning
She didn't quite understand whether she was
safe or not She looked up inluirinGly- Had
found out yet? Did / suspect She didn't
venture IL speak hut she turned on the ir-
resstible smile.
Il glad you quit. we'll" said coolly.
for avn afraid YOU VIII find what l have 10
say a little trS ing You ha,. better sit down"
Melinda looked frightened. She seated herself
on the arm OF the bag. untidy sofa. and kicked
nervously at the floor. She had small feet. and
always wore such pretty shoes
Listen to me" | said graVely Before We
leave this room We have got To come TO terms"
She gruaied. Il know you're going To- be hor-
. rid" she said. ncrvously rolling and unGollinG
Il sheet of musi. shc held in her hand
That sheet of music reminded Of some
thing. l pulled the last page Of the Tin Gee
gee" 0ut of my pocket and handed il Ia her.
Il think that is your property said
The scarlet Of her checks faded. and she
stared at m" with "id" open eye
"Wh-r. did YOU find u tH' she asked
Il will tell YOU that later on. First OF all.
Melinda do YOU think y"u have treated me
"cli2'
Il couldn't help it," she muruured. You
know u wasn't me.
Perhaps not, ! said At any rate. You can
not deny that You have broken your promise.
ruined ny life"
Il dit il for the sake Of the others" She - his
Icred ia voice that VAS almost inaudibl".
II don't biirve it," ! SAID calmly. Il don't
hrli"V' il. N"u hav" never thought OF any one
bat yourself all your life. It's good coming
the mobile. self sacrificing motive over me Me-
linda. because II won't wash You have thrown
over far Leonard. partly because hc had a
lot Of money 70 buy YOU expensive dresses and
diamonds and things. ana could give you big
house. with lot of servants To boss over. and
uartly because you always are Influenced by the
person " no is nearest you. | ought to have
known you were weak water. You have
made a jolly mess of a mans life. and yet you
can he perfectly happy and comfortable,'
Melinda sighed. There never was more