Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-09-14

w tll- tndHh YOU AN Eldu 10 STE
you were not eaten by the savagcs."
Those | have met with are rather
above the average of civilized persons"
Il did not know. / have not read your
book"
"Why should you? 1 hope you are 60
ing to make a pleasant stay in Italy"
"My destination is Rome-thc Palazzo
compliant"
"IIow interesting! And your father,
| too, is wcll?'
| Elizabeth choked back a sob in the
darkness.
"Wen? Yes, trust he is WELL" she
muttcrpd.
"And the old place looking as sweet
and charming as ever.''
Here the two minds. looking ont of mu-
tual darkness, while the wind roarcd and
the diligence shook and swung above the
preCipices. saw both the same sccne-an
English garden in the flush of June and
high yew hedges with banks OF brilliant
flowers hraped against them.
There was girl in a white dress in a
whittier heat of passion and n man who
had accused her OF coquetry standing a
| little away from her with quiet eyes and
a determined mouth. Manifestly it was
IA lovers quarrel, with the ending that is
usual when the love is only on one side
and the other bclligcreHt has the advan-
tagc of being without n heart. Each of
the minds in the coach summed up the
| evidence in this manner and arrived at
! an identical conclusion.
And yCur CoaSin who has Just got his
| jacket in the Horse artillcry?' said the
man. Has he worn the jacket muchY'
Jim has distinguished himself in AT
ria - cniI L'liznhnth a\nt rt of
Africa" she added with a slightly wick
ed touch of scorn which she knew to be
unjust.
Il understand, by the way, in my long
absence many changes among friends
have taken place. | have perhaps blum
dprcd in addressing you by your maiden
name"
Il have incumbered myself with no
new styles or titles. And you-for | am
not reader of the papers IN fiji, for had
she not read every review of his book y
you remind me that it is probable that
you are no longer n bachelor"
Writing a book in central Africa does
not run to wOoing."
But your savagcs who are above the
average of the civilized? You may never
meet with such another opportunity"
II intend to return to that society.
have only made flying visit home to ar
range with my publishers
The conversation tagged; so did the
storm. a blaze Of stars lit up the heav-
ems and made a CLEAN even within the
coach by which the travellers could joint
ly discern each other. Elizabeth sat well
back in her corner. The man presently
made nm effort to carry on the convcrsa-
ton.
Il know something of the Princess
pompilia, an agreeable woman. You
will find the Italians Of that class inter-
esting people. You are particularly for
tunatc."
You think l might write book about
them, versus the savages," said Eliza
beth. But here rosy light appeared be-
hind the velvcty blackness of the pines.
The travellers were clearly visible to
each other as the morning radiance pcne-
trated into the interior of the diligence.
Each stole Il long investigating look at
the opposite face and figure. The woman
found that the man had grown brGrzcd
and older and that his mouth had got
harder lines. The man saw the woman
like the pale and spiritualizcd sister of Il
blooming girl who had plightcd her troth
to him three or four years ago. He no.
ticed that her dress was black, Of that
particular degree Of sombcrncss which
denotes the deepest mourning.
'Shc had no one but a father" he
Thought.
But just then the diligence came ND
with Il rush to the door of the hotel on
the summit of the pass and stopped
there
"Will you allow me to assist you to
aIght, Miss Wethered? Will YOU give
me your hand?"
Elizabeth put out her hand-a long,
slim hand every line of which he knew
He took it and held it as coldly as he
was able. They stood in the open daw n,
with carnation tinted glaciers above their
heads and the heavy green and purple
draperies of the huge pines looming up
out Of the abysses of the earth shadows
that still hung on the lower valleys.
You look cold and i'll. Come in and
rest while l order your coffee. Put your
feet to this stove. Let me take your
heavy hat | see You have no maid with
you. Bear with my clumsy attentions"
They had breakfast together, talking
carefully, as people will talk who are
both anxious To avoid a painful subject
present to both minds. The hour for the
starting of the diligence drew near.
| Then the man looked at his watch.
sour ways part here he said. I'VE have
half an hour still. And now, Elizabeth.
as we may never meet again, will you tell
me-you who were SO kind to a pcriShing
fellow traveller, thinking him stranger
tell me that you forgive me for writing
you that abiect letter."
Elizabeth opened her eyes wide md
gazcd at him wondcrncly.
what abjcct letter."
we parted"
Il never got letter from you since that
| evening"
"Iou never got that letter."
"Nevcr. assurcdly. WHAT
She checked herself.
"What did | say in it, Elizabeth? Only
| that | loved you, that | was ashamed of
my jealous words and prayed you to for
| give me. | got no answer. | thought
yOu could not forgive, had never loved
me- and you
Il thought the same" murmured Eliz.
| nbeth. You went from me angry, and
| knew no more"
The half hour was too short to hold the
words that followed, but the fellow trav-
| elers finished the journey together, and
the Princess Pompilia is in search of an
English governess.
A Civn Word.
A French king once said, "If civil
| word or two will make man happy, he
| must he a churl indeed who would not