Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-10-08
FROsTBURG Md. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1904.
Al this one living creature OF her own

IA tnlS one living creature OF ller OWL
tloOd.
Lors was proud and shy. John had
gone away silent. So she kept well to
herself for the most part. although
she read to Miss Marcia and dutifully
drove with her all the fine afternoons.
to say nothing of playing the three
games of chess required to put the
elder lady in proper state for sleep.
She also, as in duty bound. exclaimed
over the Helstonc diamonds when
Miss Marcia exhibited them. But 1t
took her aback to have Miss Marcia
say abruptly after a month of all this:
"If John marrics to please me. his
wife will he fortunate If he does not,
everything goes to charity. If it should
go. | wonder would you be sorry for
him."
1T would depend Loris said. flush
ing family. every sorry-unlrSs he got
something he cared more about"
elm! l fancy you think he cares
more for-you." Miss Marcia said
why you are here. brought you to let
you see that you don't fit in. You
would only make him miscrable-evrn
more miserable than you would make
me. l hope you are sensible enough to
see what is best. | will give you SlO.-
NO the day you marry-some other
man than my nephew-Dr. Hickson.
say. I'm sure he is wild about you.
Marry him before John comes home"
Thank you for nothing. don't
want either your money or your ncph-
ew," LoriS said haughtily, her face
scarlet. She turned to go. with Il ges-
ture Of farewell
Miss Marcia stopped her by saying
frctfully: "YOu must not think of leav
ing. See how it storms outside. The
worst March Slcet ever saw. And if
you really don't want John there Is no
reason why we should not be good
friends. Stay with me- I will make it
worth your WHILE
"You cannot" Loris said, running up
to her own room. there to rage and
chafe until she went punctiliously
down to dinner. There was no getting
home until the weather changed. The
walks We're Clair ice. the paths ,lrfted.
She was prisoner until morning at
least. AS prisoner it behOovcd her to
show herself brave. Therefore instead
of Sulking through dinner she was
gaycr than she had ever been and after
it sang Of her own notion the old. old
ballads Miss Marcia loved. The bray
cry appealed to Miss Marcia wonder
fully.
But after her clear Good night" 10
ris did not sleep. Instead she lay with
her head locked in her hands, uuivcr-
ing in every fiber.
Had she liberty to come between
John HelstOne and this fine inherit
ance? She knew the old story-the
feud begun in troth plight and troth
breaking. She loved JOhn-Oh. how
dearly-but could she really make up
to him for what he would lose: Miss
Marcia'S case, too. appealed to her
strangely; she was old and lonely.
Then under this soft mood there rrrpt
a fiery one. John was her lOvcr-herS.
Miss Marcia had sllamed and insult
ed her. 1t would be a darling vense-
ancc to smile at her and say: Let the
money go to charity, Aunt Marcia.
We can take care of ourselves
Loris began suddenly to stitl". She
sprang up and darted to window, but
could not open it. Gasping. she flew
to the door, opened it and saw flame
and smoke below. All the big hall was
like a furnace, with the servants asleep
in the south wing and Miss Marcia
snoring and unconscious across the cor
ridor.
In minute Loris had her door open
and shut and was dragging her from
bed toward the east window. 1t gave
on Il piazza roof. whence escape might
be possible. Loris saw instantly it was
easily possible to her 1.-the strength.
yet Miss Marcia mOaned and prayed
and hid her eyes. Like lightning Loris
thought of what the elder woman
meant to her own future. If she were
out Of the way: With sudden hatred
of self and supcrhuman strength she
clutched and tugged and strained and
at last got Miss Marcia OH the roof.
Then Loris dropped down and called TO
men running wildly about: "A ladder.
A ladder! Save Miss Hclstonc!' And
then she sat down, suddenly faint.
while strong and willing arms COM
plctcd the work of rescue.
Miss Marcia never did things half
way. As soon as she could sit up she
caught I.Oris' hand, saying through
tears: Forgive me. Oh, do forgive
me. had insultcd you. but you didn't
leave me to burn alive. Iou-you are
the wife Of john
Il have thought SO all the time.
I.Oris said hiding her happy face in
Miss Marcia's breast.