Daily Kennebec journal., 1903-02-17

They had reached the door as he
spoke and as it was abruptly opened
from the inside a mans tall form was
framed in it for a moment.
'Hugh!" Laura exclaimed gladly,
and Dick could not guess that it was
the intense relief from the fear lest
she should betray herself which made
her welcome her cousin SO eagerly.
Il thought had better bring my val
entine in person." Hugh said laugh
ingly, drawing the little hand she had
given him within his arm as he turned
to greet Dick. He smiled to himself
as he noticed the constraint of the
others manner. Dick refused to go in,
!, pleading that he had several letters
to write.
II hope, young lady, you have PLAN
ned 10 send me a beautiful valentine
tomorrow" Hugh said gaily; then,
without waiting for her answer, he ask
| ed. Are you looking for any, Craigie!
| 1t is quite the fashion in this primitive
place. you know" L
| No" Dick answered pleasantly, Il
| haven't had a valentine for years;
| have never had one that gave me any
| pleasure since / left home five years
| ago." He did not look at Laura as he
spoke. but Hugh felt the little hand OH
his arm tremble nervously
II expect something more than vail
entine tomorrow" he said quietly; Il
expect to have the day named for my
approaching marriage. 1 don't believe
you have congratulated me, Craigie.
Il do now with all my heart" Dick
! said, huskily. He shook hands with
| I, ,;, h1 n
Laura. and, before either of them quite
llrealized his intention he was striding
down the road as if his very life de-
pended on his speed.
+ Poor fellow, he is hard hit!' Hugh
said, mischievously. Shall l run after
| him and tell him it has all been mis-
| take, Laura-that my fiance is only
| Laura's dearest friend, and"
I moi" Laura said. tremulously; ''he
must find it out for himself" But she
regretted her pride when a messenger
brought note from We're an hour later
| "Dick is going away" she wrote.
| HE has loved you all his life, Laura;
| / think YOU must know it. You seemed
| so Indifferent, / never ventured to
| speak of it to you. Then, for time, 1
| really believed in your engagement to
Hugh Carruthers, but when i saw you
| with Dick-I know, Laura, something
| has upset him tonight, he came home
SO white and stern, and I know MY
poor boy is broken-hearted. He is go
ing away on the midnight train. He is
too honorable to open his heart to you
when he believes you are to marry
Hugh, and 1 have not dared to tell my
suspicious. But you must tell him the
truth, dear-you must-or he may new
er come back"
| Laura's face was very white, and her
eyes We're blinded with tears as she
read the note, but they were happy
| tears, and although her position seemed
a very difficult one, with loves uner-
ring instinct she soon found way out
of the maze; and Vere's messenger,
who was waiting for an answer, car
ried brief little note back to Dick
Craigie.
Dear Dick" it read, "Vere has sent
me word that you are going away
| Please don't go until you have told me
the name of that girl you We're telling
me about tonight. You forgot to tell
me- did you not? And / think Hugh
forgot to tell you that he is going to
marry Lillian Barton, my dearest friend
He was never really engaged to me-
you know
Half an hour later, a gentle but de-
termined ring at Mr.. Bottoms door
made that gentleman stir uneasly in
his sleep on the comfortable lounge
near the fire. Laura, who answered it,
colored and drew back in dismay as
her eyes fell upon Dick Craigie. He
walked in unlimited and quietly closed
i the door behind him. He was smiling,
his eyes were glowing, and he looked
very handsome and resolute as he
caught Lauras hands in his.
i 1T is unpardonably late, l know, but
could not rest without seeing you.
Besides. there is something 1 must
| know before my train goes.
you are really going, them" Laura
| faltered, trying hard to speak careless
ly.
| UNLESS you tell me l may stay" he
said hurriedly. May /, Laura, may
liz"
i Have l any right to dictate your
goings or comings?" Laura asked,
with a nervous little laugh.
"If you will accept the right he said
| unsteadily. "Laura--child, don't tor
ture me-yOu must know that you are
| infinitely dearer TO me than my own
soul'
| How could / know when you never
told meo" Laura asked tremuously,
and just for one moment Dick read his
heaven in her eyes. Then Mr.. Bottoms
step made them both start. but Dick
| was not to be vanquished at this late
hour and late day. He caught his
sweetheart UP bodily, and carried her
swiftly and noiselessly into the dark
parlor.
No. you need not try to escape" he
whispered. as she, attempted to strug-
gle away from him. Il have held you
here many and many time before
land shall hold you here many and
many a time again. Darling-darling,
how could you make me suffer SOP
"Oh, Dick, how could help it?" she
whispered back, and in the darkness
happy Dick felt two soft arms creep
around his neck, and two lips touched
his with a shy willingness he found
intoxicatingly sweet.
'And you really think you won't go
on the midnight train," Miss Bolton
murmured demurely, as Dick made.