Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-05-21
II.

a
She was not feeling very we'll. and the
ceaseless song of cricket in the wood
box and the. occasional put, put, put
ting of snowfiakes that came down the
chimney and melted on the Goals gave
her a feeling of intense loneliness.
Miss Amelia had gone across the street
to carry plate Of hot rolls to some
poor people. Coming in, she opened and
closed the door quickly to keep out the
biting air Throwing off her cloak In
the hall, she ran In towards the fire, ex-
claiming: why, mamma, why are you
sitting here without the lights?"
Mrs. Conklin turned a sad face to-
wards her and replied: Daughter, /
like the freight when / am sad and
troubled"
What in thesworld is troubling you,
mamma, dear?"
Il was just thinking OF you, Amelia"
why, mamma, / am just as well as
can be, and am always happy when
you are. What can the trouble be?"
She sat down on footstool, folded her
hands on her mothers knee and looked
anxiously up into her face.
Daughter, know you have plenty
OF this old worlds goods, but after
awhile, | do not know how soon, will
join your dear papa, and then you will
be left alone You have seen the day
when you could have married the con-
gresham of our district, or the richest
man in the state but you have let all
such chances go for the sake of Jack.
He is dear fellow, / know, and be-
I IA Q u
my own son, but fear you are going to
keep on-playing with him till you lose
him, and then you will find that good
chances do not come every day to girl
of your age"
Amelia shuddered and blazing fagot
sent myriad shadows dancing on floor
and walls. Mamma, have sworn in
my heart, a thousand times, that I'd
never let anyone know it, but now will
have to tell you. Jack has never pro-
posed"
What Amelia Conklin!"
mo, mamma, never! Sometimes.
think he is getting to the point, but it
seems to brighten him and he changes
the subject. The nearest he ever got to
it was when we were talking about the
announcement Of the engagement of An
mabel Coleman and Conrad Jefferson,
he said Iseriously doubt young men
realize all that 1t means" and there he
stopped short That, you know, was the
year before papa died. ALI have to say
is, know he worships me, and that is
the reason / am patient"
We'll, daughter, am certainly sur
prised' declared Mrs. Conklin, her face
a puzzle of disappointment and curiosi-
ty. Judging from his success he knows
how to talk business with men. am
afraid, child"
"Oh, mamma! 1t would break my
heart for you to doubt Jacks sincerity
for a moment. You know 1t is said that
every man has some peculiar traits. and
this is Jacks, but am not afraid to
wait. One leap year had good notion
to ask him myself, just in fun, and then
give the conversation serious turn, but
my heart failed me. Don't you worry,
mamma, there'll come time, know"
All right, Amelia; know the end of
the world is coming, too! The only
consolation find in all this Is that Jack
the husband may be as faithful as Jack
the sweetheart"
Il can vouch for all that, mamma,
dear!"
About month after Amelia's confess
sion to her mother, she and Jack were
in the parlor at her home. She was sit
ting at the piano and had just finished
playing over Neyin's "Narcissus," the
dozenth time for him. He had placed
faded sheet of music before them and
they were quietly humming together,
she the air and he the tenor, Scanlon's
Rose Song" Presently Stewart no.
ti~ed that the fire had burned to embers.
Apologizing, he looked at his watch and
said: Little lady, beg your pardon;
/ have kept you up a little longer than
usual"
She assured him that it was all right,
and then, excusing herself for a min
ute, stepped into the library. When she
returned she brought him pretty lit
tie bunch of fresh violets, which she
told him friend Of hers, who was on
her wedding trip to Florida, had sent
While she was pinning them on his
coat a chill northeast wind whistled
around the caves, and he, placing one
hand gently on her uplifted arm. de-
clared, innocently: 81 do believe could
do anything in the world but ask girls
father for her.
And just as innocently, Amelia re-
piled: 81 have no father to ask
That maiden neighbor whispered it
around next day: Il 40 believe Jackson
Stewart stayed there last night till after
one o'clock. I'm positive he did not
leave before midnight"
Mrs. Jackson Stewart pouts prettily
and vows and declares she didn't say
It, till her happy husband threatens to
introduce Mrs Conklin as witness.-N.
o. Times Democrat.
Chilkoot Jack Elected Chief