The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-04-24

| ~.
There trds but one thing left-Neio Spain.
could not help but know it-not as
matter Of vanity, but as a matter Of
fact-yet love had blinded her where
Brandon was concerned. and that
failed to give her light as to
his motives. however brightly it might
illumine the conduct of other men to-
ward whom she was Indifferent.
So Mary was angry this time-angry
in earnest-and Jane felt the irritable
palm more than once. I. too. came in
for my share of her i'll temper. as most
would Brandon had he al
lowed himself to come within reach of
her tongue. which he was careful not
to do. She did not tell Jane the cause
Of her vexation. but only said she ver-
lily hated Brandon. and that. of course.
was the key to the whole situation.
After a fortnight this iii humor be-
gan to soften in the glowing warmth
of her heart. which was striving to
reassert itself. and the desire to see
Brandon began to get the better of
her sense Of injury.
Brandon. tired Of this everlasting
watchfulness to keep himself out of
temptation and dreading at any mo-
ment that lapse from strength which
II apt to come to the strongest Of US.
had resolved to quit his place at court
and go to New Spain at once. He had
learned upon inquiry that ship would
sail from Bristol In about twenty days
and another six weeks later. So he
chose the former and was making his
arrangements to leave as soon as pos
sible.
He told me of his plans and spoke Of
his situation. "You know the reason
for my going" he said. "even II have
never spoken of IL. I am not much of
q Joseph and am very little given to
running away from a beautiful wom-
an, but in this case 1 am fleeing from
death itself. And to think what a
heaven II would be, You are right.
Caskoden-no man can Withstand the
light Of that girls smile. I am unable
to tell how feel toward her. 1t some
times seems that i cannot live another
hour without seeing her. Yet. thank
God. have reason enough left to know
that every sight OF her only adds to an
already incurable malady. What will
It be when she is the wife Of the king
Of France? Does it not look as IL wild
life in New Spain is my only chanceT'
I assented as we joined hands. and
our eyes We're moist as told him how
/ should miss him more than any one
else in all the earth-excepting Jane
in mental reservation.
1 told Jane what Brandon was about
to do, knowing full well she would tel
Mary, which she did at once.
Poor Mary! The sighs began to come
now, and such small vestiges of her Ill
humor toward Brandon as still re
mained were frightened Off in a hurry
by the fear that she had seen the last
of him.
She had not before fully known that
she loved him. She knew he was the
most delightful companion she had
ever met and that there was an ex
hilaration about his presence which al
most intoxicated her and made life ar
ecstasy. yet she did not know it was
love. 1t needed but the thought thai
she was about to lose him to make hel
know her malady and meet 1t face tt
face.
Upon the evening when Mary learn
ed all this she went into her chamber
very early and closed the door. NJ
one interrupted her until Jane went II
to robe her for the night and to retire
She then found that Mary had robet
herself and was lying In bed with he
head covered. apparently asleep. Jar'
quietly prepared to retire and Ia,
down in her own bed. The girls usual
ly shared one couch. but during Mary
Ill temper she had forced Jane TO slecI
alone.
After a short silence Jane Ecarl /;
sob from the other bed. then anothe
and another.
"Mary, are you weepingT she asked
| "Yes-"
| "what is the matter. dearT
Nothing" with a sigh.
L 10 you WISH Ile 10 COLue 10 you
bed?"
"Yes, l do" So Jane went over ant
lay beside Mary. who gently put he
arms about her neck.
when will he leave?' whispere,
Mary. shyly confessing all by her ques
ton.
81 do not know" responded Jane
'but he will see You before he goes"
do you believe he will?'
81 know it." And with this consola
ton Mary softly wept herself to sleep
After this, for few days. Mary wa
quiet enough. Her irritable mood ha'
vanished. but Jane could see that sh
was on the lookout for some one al
the time, although she made the mos
pathetic little efforts to conceal he
watchfulness.
At last a meeting came about in thi
way: Next to the kings bedchambe
was a luxuriously furnished littl
apartment with n well selected library