Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-10-25

liiC odih DloWh WOtltu uIebS SIG Ldu
ingeniously altered to fit herself.
Her place, as defined In a few
words by Mrs. Button, was to be that
Of a companion and reader, as tho
elder lady's sight was falling. Jessie
deeply appreciated her kindness, ami
they soon became used to each othes.
Within q few weeks of her entranne
into the household, Miss Pallama, ~
Mrs. Button always called her to the
servants, had made herself an indi3-
pensable element to the generous
lady's comfort and enjoyment.
Mrs Button, quick and keen of bb-
servation as she was, had learned no
more Of the young strangers motives
than at first, only two peculiarttles
having developed on her part. One
was her eagerness to scan the nfws-
papers; the other her anxiety to 5goid
the front windows, and to keep out
of the way Of any but the merahers
Of the household.
1t was in Difference to this lafs de-
sire that, after reading over her rtters
one morning, Mrs. Button san to
her: ,''t.~ ,s2S',~'
"Jessie, my dear, am sorry - tell
you that l shall have guest for
week or two, because fear his pres
ence will Danish you to your own
apartment"
Jessie changed colon
"You are kind to consider ryA dear
madam" she said.
Mrs. Button nodded. ,,,, >
81 am very fond Of the your$ man
expect His mother was W best
friend In girlhood, and her boy is very
dear to me; but we were getting on
with our readings so nicely tK3t wish
his visit had been earlier or sater."
Jessie answered her kind fsiils with
q look Of deep gratitude.
"As he will be here to Ssnner, he
says, this is our last morniDS together
for little while, at az events
so pray let us enjoy our book"
True to his promise, the stranger
arrived half an hour before the dinner
hour, and was shown to his room
like familiar guest. He was a young
man Of frank and attractive appear
ance, not yet thirty, and evidently,
when In good spirits, what is general
ly termed excellent company.
He was not in happy mental con-
dition at present, however, as Mrs.
Button, soon discovered. .. ,....,
why, my dear Milton" she ex-
claimed before they We're half through
dinner, what has become of your
| appetite and your usual good humor?
You surprise and distress me. l was
impressed by something sad in your
letter but hoped 1t was imaginary on
my part. Now, however, l see that
you look Ill, and seem like one bereft
Of hope, and you tell me that within
this very week you have fallen heir to
nice round sum from an eccentric
i aunt who had lived hermlts life"
THAT Is true, Mrs. Button" an
swered Milton Arlington, "and Aunt
Mary's legacy, had it come earlier,
would have been the greatest blessing
could ask from Heaven, since 1t
would have given me the means of
marrying the only woman l ever did
or ever shall lover -.sg..ses.''ss ,st5
And Is she now lost to you?" ~
He bowed his head. bit his lips
1 nervously, ard changed the subject.
Milton Arlington had chosen his
| profession rather late, and was a
preacher Of only one year and half's
standing. He was thoroughly in
earnest, fine speaker, and was be-
ginning to be known; but his income
was yet quite small, and his private
means had been almost swallowed up
in building up his church. .,.. s.e,:t-.
A few evenings later he entered
Mrs. Buttons drawing room, flung
himself, with q listless air, into an
easy chair, and looked at his hostess
| with tie dull, hopeless look that was
| becoming habitual to his fine eyes.
"Do you know. Mrs. Button" he
said. Il am accusing myself of selfish
| ness In remaining here. You are my
| mothers oldest friend, and l owe it to
you to be frank, so 1 will confess that
my object in coming was to catch
| glimpse, If possible, of-of Jessie st.
John. the girl l loved. before her hand
was irretrievably given to another. /
was drawn by species of torment
l could not resist to haunt the outside
of the mansion In which my favored
rival lives. 1t belongs to his father,
Jessie's guardian, and the maker of
| the match. l felt sure from the first
that the poor girl never favored the
arrangement, and that L could win her
II l was rich enough to speak my love;
but remember, Mrs. Button, she is an
heiress, and what motive would be
given to a penniless wooer, as 1 was
then?"
But you are not now, Miltonw cried
Mrs. Button. eagerly. You have
money now; why need you fear to
offer yourself?"
1T is too late-too late" groaned the
young man. "There was wedding
at the Jackson's mansion last night,
and she Is Jacob Jackson's wife now"
No, mop cried joyous voice at the
I Il