Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-02

heiis " nv Saw iNVNlAA ~ nv oAdlNf
listening TO his whistle. thinking Of the
days that were coming.
V.
On a day in October-a laggard day Of
Irish summer, calm and beautiful-Mary
and Jessie and George went Of for n drive
together. Down the Burn road they went,
past Annoy and Gorteeu. turned at Lee
mere crossways, and skirting the wilds OF
Ardhill came at last 70 the mountain aud
began its ascent. Half way up the rugged
path they left horse and car at a farm
house, then toiled on foot to the summit.
Jessie flowed with good spirits. mischie-
vous as a kitten. 1.-THE and beautiful as a
Notwithstanding in her sweet youth and
desirable. George, too, was on the heights
Of glory-pcrhaps higher than the heights
gay, m%anful, hearty. Even Mary felt car
ried out Of herself, bright and glaa, her full
heart overlooking its happiness upon her
face. But the way was long, her strength
failed at last; so on the mountain top she
sat down among the heather to rest. And
the others wandered away.
After awhile. she having recovered
strength, and taken deep OF the days
bounty. Mary rose and idly went through
the heather, slowly, happily, Just seeing
and admiring. The air was wonderful; a
great peace brooded beneath the sun. No
one was In sight. The world seemed
empty. Full Of gladness Mary sauntercd
along; all suddenly stopped quick at sight
OF Jessie and George seated in a hollow
that lay within a clump of frs.
They were close together; Jessie leaning
against a stump. hands smoothing a ribbon
in her hat and eyes bent upon them;
George lying beside her, resting on IN ol-
bow, feet crossed and his eyes on her face.
They were not speaking. a score OF times
had Mary seen them side by side and given
no heed; but now she needed much. A
sudden pain struck her heart. Her breath
faltered. In an instant she was changed,
and her life was changed, and she stood
black with suspicion, racked, stricken. the
house of her trust rumblcd miserably
down. What change! Dear heaven, what
agony Of change!
Five minutes went-minutes black with
the agony of ages.
Still they did not speak. But soon, as
Mary watched, Jessie's hand fell beside her.
and with that George seized her hand,
scrambled to his knees and broke into pro-
tostations-miserable protestations that
dashed Mary's heart. Dear God, that she
should live to hear theml Listen, listen.
The same words; the words which but yes
terday had been only for her; and now
now-Ah! was Il possible? Could that be
George? That be Jessie? This be her very
self? Listen. listen! Jessie" he says,
before God l swear to you that you're the
one woman in the world for me-. l swear
1t. All, listen to me, Jessie. Don't turn
from me. Don't blame me for Mary's sake.
Dear knows l pity her-but / can't help It.
l can't. You make me, Jessie. You're the
one woman" oh, that again! 1t was pit
iful. 1t was unbearable. Then, blessedly.
maybe. of a sudden darkness blotted the
sunshine and Mary lay still.
When light came back the hollow vas
empty. Weak and sick at heart, Mary rose
and went stumbling through the heather,
down toward the farm house, her one desire
now being to get home. But presently the
two saw her; soon they Joined her; with
out word or look Mary hurried on, face set
hard, hands clenched, her heart like stone.
And behind the others stepped %gulltily
with averted eyes.
They reached the farm house, and there
the two stopped to get the car, but Mary
went on down the lane, MISUNDERSTANDING
On. Her brain burnt; her heart was ice.
Let me get home she thought; "oh,
dear God, let me only get home-get home!'
Like a hunted creature she went stumbling
over the stones, stumbling and hurrying
blindly.
Nearing the highway. however. and close
to a spot where the lane turned sharp to
the left, a clamor arose on the slope behind.
Shouts and cries came, a rumbling of
wheels, a pounding OF hoofs, and turning.
Mary saw the car come tearing down with
only Jessie in Il, and George running be-
hind. shouting and waving his arms. The
horse was galloping. The car came thun
dering over the stones, jolting and swaying.
Jessie sat pulling at the reins, arms out
stretched and face white above them. Well
might she be pale, we'll might George rave,
for the turning was there, and black ruin
near II.
Ruin? Perhaps death? Yes; Mary saw
well. In a fash all was clear to her. TIL
horse was beyond control. George could
do nothing. At the turning something
dreadful must happen. Already Jessie had
dropped the reins, and now sat covering
her face. shuddering from what lay befor,
her. Only one chance was there-that Mary
should stand in the way. Then perhaps
the horse might swerve. or stop, or col,
lapse before IL came to that fateful turning
Only a chance poor chance-yet, yet
Why should Mary stand in the way VIII!
risk life for a chance-a miserable chance
OF saving the life Of this Jessie whom sh'
hated? Her chance Jessie had wrecked, hei
life had blighted, and here was revenge
Justice, heavens own opportunity Of repay.
ing all, OF ending all. Only TO stand aside
to wait a minute longer
All, the shame, the shame! Nerving her
self, Mary stepped into the middle Of tn
lane, and spI cad her arms, and shoute
loud. But just too late. For though chanc
served. and the horse swerved and fell, an
the car collapsed and Jessie escaped, Mary