The evening Republican., 1902-06-06

He had told her at first that he
was but a struggling artist making a
precarious 200 a year. and when ne
had told her how he loved her and
had seen the telltale color rise to her
face, be dreaded to let her know the
truth. Dreaded it and put it from
him dav by day. She seemed so
happy with him and his, uncertain
income that no hated to tell her OF
the colossal fortune that was his-and
hers also if she would nave him.
The long summer days burnt
themselves out and then his leave
expired and he had to return to his
regiment. There were also lumors
that he would be ordered to the
front, but he dreaded to tell the
gentle lady, knowing how she would
feel it.
But the rumors were confirmed,
and he had to break the news to her
whom he loved with all his heart.
To his surprise she took it very
quietly and said little and he felt
prouder than ever Of his lady love
to think she did not give way to re-
pining when she knew he was call
ed to duty.
$50 Charles goings" said Laurie
the same night.
Yes thank goodness -going in a
FORTH (ht," replied Nancy, with a
freyM sign, conbing her long hair.
out
''Dop't talk like that, Nance"
You'd talk it if you had to endure
him for. hours and hours as do"
You. used to be fond Of him,
Nancy"
used lg' yawning. He was all
| right to go go about with in the
summer, because he made love very
I nicely, but now he wants to be en-
gagged it is rather too much
swell, l don't know, OF course,
| said Laurie knitting her brows. ~
think he is very nice"
"Of course he Is very nice. 50 Is
Tilliard, so is Jack, SO Is Fred-they
are all very NICE
"pah! / call it 1mpertinence, and
nothing short of 1t, for Charlie to
want me to be engaged to him. dc
is coming dawn tomorrow to say
good bye. l shall tell him then that
/ never meant anything serious! =
200 pounds a year-Good Heavens.
expect that for my pockct-money
alone when L marry!' And Nancy
got into bed and drew the clothes
over her. But somehow, the next day
she did nutteIi Hilton So. He brought
a diamond ring with him-a truly
magnificent gem for an obscure art
list to buy, certainly. but Nancy was
charmed with its beauty, and felt
her cold, call0ns heart warm ~ the
bright rays Of the jewel for mo-
men!.
And you will wait till l come
back, won't you, dear. Wait aud
be true to me, aud when | am thou
sards OF miles away | shall know
one dear little woman is waitin.
and prayln. Tor my cafe return,
and will win glory aud honor for
YOU. sweetheart.
When he was gone she sat down.
Sat down 10 think.
This will never do she said
firmly. "lIad l told him to-day,
should have had to give him this
ring back, aud do not want to do
that; but if write TO night he will
get il before he leaves for the docks.
and then he won't trouble about
the ring. Yes. decidedly. that is
the plau,' and fetching pan and
paper, she wrote to the man who
loved her so dearly, wrote and told
him she had no intention OF marry
ing him, or Of waiting tor him told
him she had enjoyed the sumner,
aud thanked him for having made
such pleasant company. Wished
him luck and all success, and re-
manned his very sincerely.
Having finished the most heart
less eplstle she put ion her hat
and went down to the doctors house
where there was new assistant
Young man with straw colored
hair, who was very taken with her.
But Fate is sometimes kinder to
US than we give her credit for. In
her care!essucsS Nancy pat the
wrong number to the house where
ChaIlie lived and the fatal letter
was delivered at a bakers shop,
no took in ito be called for. v For
two months it lay waiting its own
er and then little Johnnie knocked
it off the shelf and itsot swept ur
with the odd papers aud Charlie
Hilton went out 10 fight in heavy
ignorance Of all that might have
happened.
Autumn waned and winter set
10 a ad one day there was deliver
ed at the rcctory letter with the
postmark OF Cape Town.
The writing was strange anC
Nancy who was practically cngagec
10 the doctors assistant puckered
her smooth brow as she broke the
seal aud read as totIows:--
Dear Madam. am writing, l an
| afraid very brutality, tote ilyouthat m!
deal friend and companion, Charles
Hilton, dlcd last night at 8 O'Clock.
Hc was wounded in action Yesterday
and nothing we could do could save
him. He asked nc to write and tell
you his last thoughts were of you
aud he wanted you to forgive him To-