The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-18

upon other things than words. than arYu-
merits. than explanations. 1t would de-
PEND upon the subtle messages that pass-
ed between their souls when they stood
once more face to face. For her own
part. the throbbiny OF her heart told her
that love would not have to knock long
nor hard at its gates II he came with
tho right look and word. All, this pain
OF arrangement 1t had written itself
Enthusiastically in the girls fair young face
also.
The train from Jericho pulled in at tho
junction exactly on time. Florence had
been pacing up and down the platform for
ten minutes. listening and looking for Il.
Now her 'cyes devoured with eagerness
every passenger who alighted, and her
color came and went with alternate ex-
pectation and disappointment harris
had not comet She saw the conductor
helping the last passenger down the
steps-a little. grey-haired woman. wear
mig an old-fashioned gown and bonnet.
ana carrying a black reticule in her hand
Tears of bitter disappointment and cha
grin sprang to the girls eyes. but xbe
dashed them away, whirled on her heel,
and was about 10 re-enter the sfar,ou
when light touch fell on her arm
She turned, and, with the anguish ana
seii-pity and suppressed tears Sun in
them, her eyes met the soft. gentle MEAD.
ing, yet desperately earnest look of the
OLD lady in the odd gown. All IL love had
only come looking into her eyes like tnatI
how easily all had been righted.
Excuse me- said the little, grey-hair-
ed woman. but is your first name Flor
ence. and do you know anybody by IN,
name of Harris MiIls?"
A look Of biushing, swift surprise, fol-
lowed by one of reserve and almost ~
sentiment. leaped into the girls blue eve.
How came this woman to know her So.
cret! What did 1t all mean? Could Har-
ris have sent her? Perhaps and the prue
eyes softened a little-perhaps he was
sick!
Yes. she answered frankly. my mama
Is Florence Appleton. l Know Mr.. Mills
and was expecting him by this train Has
ne sent any message by your
NO. replied Mrs. Minturn. 81
Inc girl drew herself up haughtify.- ..whv
do you presume to address me Them.
she demanded in a cold voice. II have
no idea who you are"
He couldn't come" replied the ennis.
sary OF Love quietly. He was away for
all DAY. He didn't get your telegram
so come for him He boards with ma
hain't rode on the cars for fifteen years.
and L vowed I'd never ride on EN- again:
but when / see that Harris couldn't gft
here no ways l come for him. l como to
tell you that you're KILN him. SURF as
the world. poor boy! He hain't ben him.
self sence he took your picture out OF the
frame and hid it away somewheres. He's
Jest goin' the way that I've seen lots OF
EN- go, when they love the way he loves,
and git Tilted They git paler and paIer
and thinner and thinner. and then they
go into a decline and consumption or
somethin' gifts hold OF 'em, and that's the
last You're kilifn' him Jest the same way
I've
Stop. Don't say THAR cried the girl
clutching Mrs. Minturn's arm with q
trembling hand Don't say thatI You'll
Kill me IL ye. do. You taik as y the SUI
ferfng was all his. Don't you believe 1
have suffered. too? Don't you think love-
sickness can kill woman as well as q
MANI. What right have you to accuse mo
of being any more to bls.Sne than he is?
What right have you to say that Tilted
him. when I-when b"
The proud. sweet young face quivered;
the little grey-gloved hands went up to
hide it.: the tense voice broke into sha-
ken sobs Little Minturn said nothing.
but slipped her arm gently about the
girls waist. The next instant Florence
was sobbing on her shoulder.
They two were alone on the station plat
form. All the other passengers had gone
inside, and the train for Jericho had
backed away and disappeared.
.'ThereI there said Mrs. Minturn. at
length, when she had let the girl ease her
heart a little. Harris loves you most
to death, or / shouldn't have come, for
his sake. to tell you SO. 1t doesn't make
any difference who's to blame. now that
It's all right I'm awful glad 1 comet
Harris II be so glad, when he gifts home.
tonight
A shrill whistle woke the echoes Of the
hills around the lonely junction
Why that must be my traint" cried
the girl. lifting her head II must hur-
ry-but stop, Take this to Harris. and
tell him will write to him on the train.
this afternoon. He will get IT tomorrow"
She unciasped a little pin from the
collar of her dress. and handed It TO Mrs
Minturn. 1t was topaz in a dainty gold
setting-and in the language of gems the
topaz Is for fidelity
The kissing express train stopped for
, moment and took slight girlish fig-
IRE on board Then it Numbered away
again, with a fair face shining bacK at
owes erY,issery through mist OF happy
Buckham In the New YORK
Evening Post.