Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-10-24
BY Il. MACKENZIE.

thought yesterday, when l wrote, that
had something to say but now
You have changed your mind. Miss
Austin? That is a woman's privilege
and you have used it ruthlessly."
''Yes, l know. Forgive me.
meant to do my best"
He frowned and his expression was
not good to see.
'Her best" And this is what she
had done.
Last spring he had thought himself
one of the happiest men alive, engaged
TO be married to this girl, Eva Aus
tin; he loved her passionately and be-
lieved her to be the ideal type of
womanhood high principled. truthful,
gentle-in fact, almost faultless.
One day, few months ago, she
had written to break off her engage
inent, short letter which was a mas
terpiece of polite reserve and femi-
nine cruelty. She regretted if she
had caused him any pain-Oh, yes. re-
grets cost nothir g-she was conscious
of the honor that ne had paid her
she wished to remain his friend
Captain Humphrey Travelled many
miles to demand an explanation of his
affianced wife. He was refused admit
tance, his letters were returned un-
opened by her sister-Eva was i'll and
could not write. The truth stared him
in the face; in plain English he had
been hopelessly Tilted Then he vowed
to forget Eva Austin's existence and
congratulated himself upon his free
dom from domestic ties.
Today, as he stood in the parlor OF
the hotel to which she had summoned
him. he had so far overlooked his
determination to forget her existence
that his anger was waxing fierce
against her. Why had she brought
him here? To be made a fool of
second time" No. and a thousand
times no.
IF you did your best Miss Austin
may | ask what your worst would
hay e been?"
She moved quickly, almost IS IL he
had struck her.
Il cannot explain. If you knew how
it all happened you would perhaps
believe-you might perhaps think lit
tie better of me-"
He stood bolt upright, speechless
He was struggling with his pride; in
his heart of hearts he was longing to
take her in his arms, to tell her that
for him she was the only woman in
the world, with all her faults.
Her faults. They were unpardona-
BILE.
Il should be glad to think we'll of
any lady he said at last, lightly,
more especially of a lady who once
honored me with her friendship"
Yes" she said gently, 1T was be
cause of that friendship that | wrote.
had favor to ask you. Now-it is
not Necessary. | am sorry"
There was a brief silence, then she
said.
There are changes in our family.
Ella is going to be married; the en-
gagement is very sudden, it was only
settled this morning"
ella was the younger sister of
whom he had so often been jealous
in those forgotten days)
He bowed and turned to go; the in
terview was farce.
At the door she stopped him. do
you start-tomorrow?"
YES"
"Goodby We, that is Ella and l.,
wish you happy return"
Considering their former intimacy,
this was barely the farewell that good
manners demanded, nothing more.
His hand was on the lock- Some
Thing else she said, her voice was al
most inaudible, Il will pray for you"
He shut the door quietly. there
should be no melodramatic display of
temper on his part. Arrived at the
lotion of the stairs, he missed his
hat. Had he left his purse or his
watch in that room, no power on earth
would have sent him back-but his
lat
He ran back hastily and knocked.
There was no answer. So much the
better. He entered the room and
seized his property. Turning to go,
he heard the rustic of draperies. She
was there, standing on the spot where
he had left her. with her hands
clasped to her face.
Under the cold star lit sky he had
lain for hours. The fight was over
In the distance he could discern the
figures of the wounded and the dead
The victory was with his men-sc
much he knew before he fell And
now, patience. They would find him
by and by. If not, then the end could
not be far off, not very far Patience
The stars fiickered and faded. He saw
room, with pale pink walls, flowers
a work basket on the table-nothins
escaped his notice. Eva was there
she had on a gray dress and a golt
chain round her neck.
Were there tears in her eyes? Their,
were tears in his. Il will pray fo