Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-02-09
A PARTING.

x700 ELL, dear. what do you think
WAW of it," said Jack Trevor joy
fully, as with shining eyes he
threw a letter on the table. His pretty
wife laid down her sewing, fimSy
bit of lace work, and crept close to his
side
1T will separate us. Jack" was all
she said, with quivering lip.
But. Alice, look what it Will mean
to us"-to me, he had almost said.
Here have | been shaving for a mere
pittance. and now this piece OF good
luck comes Mt last; it is simply glori-
ous"' Then, casting look ut the sor-
rowful face ut his side. he said, In a
soothing tone. 1T will only be for two
years ut most, love. and then" In
soothing tone, I'VE will be as happy
as the day is long You will be pa
tient, dear" he added, putting his arm
around her. but still CHANGING at the
letter OH the table.
Eyes. Jack. / know it Is for your
good deed, but 1t Is so hard to BEAR"
and then scarce able to repress her
tears. she crept from the room.
Left to himself, Jack paced restless
ly to and fro.
Poor Alice" he said. and then his
thoughts flew away to the quaint little
fishing village on the west coast of
Ireland, where he had met her two
years ago Being attracted by her
wondrous beauty, fell in love, and we'll
had married her. and been promptly
disinherited for his pains.
He had gone-and, oh. the desolation
that had crept into one loving. lonely
heart. For three months she had
scarcely left the house, dark rings
showed about the lustrous eyes, she
wandered listlessly to and fro looking
at any little mcmento that might re-
mind her of him, her husband. her
husband, her darling; wondering why
the sun shone and looked at hearts so
sorrOwful as hers. But one day, with
his familiar rat-a-tat the pOsiman left
Il letter. 1t was from him. her idol;
she could scarce see 1t for binding
turned into bright and joyous place.
Then, after blsstul half hou: spent
in deciphering it. she rushed for pen
and ink to answer. But now the sweet
face clouded.
II cannot do it, cannot do it prop
erly," she murmured. a slight pout on
her red lips. They would laugh at
L.;
hot tears gathered in the brown eyes
and fell one by one like little jewels
upon the unoffending paper
She bent her head upon her hands In
detection: sunbeam stole through the
window and kissed her ripping hair,
and as If it had lent an inspiration to
her troubled thoughts, her face sudden
ly cleared. she sprang up. the glad light
once more in her eyes.
'I'll do it, she cried. 81 was always
good at lace work. Miss Crickmay shall
teach me. I'll educate myself on the
money Jack sends me, and keep myself
by my lace. Lady Severn always bought
it. and maybe In year l can save
enough to take me out to Jack. my
Jack, and 1t will be such surprise to
him."
And all the time with trembling
fingers and fast beating heart, she ar
ranged her hat. preparatory to going
TO the select School for Young Ladies.
over which Miss Crlckmay presided.
Far away In India young man was
bending over his desk, just signing
hourishing Jack" to letter commenc-
ing MY dear wife"
"She must never come here" he said
sadly 1T would break her heart to be
sighted. What would Lady Winton
say to her, wonder? Not that she isn't
far more beautiful" he ended up.
Out on the blue Mediterranean
great steamer pulsed and painted on
ward. ever onward, bearing Its freight
of human lives. and in a coy nook on
the deck Alice Trever sat and thought
Of Jack. 1t would not be long now.
and how surprised he would be-
Lady Winton's ballroom had never
been surpassed; soft lights. glorious
exotic plants. beautiful women. Jack
felt the spell as he stood apart for
moment listening to the sweet strains
Of the opening waltz. Suddenly he
turned pale and almost staggered.
clutching a chair for support. A beau
tiful woman had just entered. and was
being presented by Lady Winton to a
few select friends. Gentlemen crowded
round, anxious for introductions and
dances. to all Of whom she was gra-
cious as a queen; but ever and anon an
anxious look came into the glorious