Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1904-11-15

JoceiyH giaHceu at Tue Tiny CLOCK OF
her dresser.
Seven ten." she said. "Ill hay,
time to answer that letter after ge
the dishes washedr'
Her task was accomplished witt
brisk dexterity. TO be sure, there wer,
not many dishes to be washed-ou.
cup, one saucer, one spoon, one plate
one knife, one fork
quite an old maids OUTFIT she said
with little grimace as she rinsed ou
the diminutive teapot and set it ON ths
shelf with the china. Now to tel
Ned, dear old Ned that-that-oh, how
would a girl in story refuse to marry
man that was quite the best fellow
she knew, only--only''-
She read Edward Fords letter
| through again, as though seeking some
suggestion as to the most delicate and
decisive manner in which she coufd de
cline his proposal.
1t was charming letter-simple
manly and straightforward He loved
her-he had always loved her She
must know that. There never had been
another girl for him. There never could
or would be while life lasted, whether
she made him happy or bade him
| wait or-or even should she answer
no. lie had wanted to speak when she
came up to work in the city, but had
not felt free to do so, having others de-
| pendent upon him. But now that his
dear mothers sufferings were ended
and that his sister had married and
| possessed a home of her own he was
| able to follow the dictates of his heart.
| The old place needed a mistress. 1t
was very beautiful just then, he added
The syringa hedge was white with
blossom. You couldn't see the road
for the clematis and seven sisters rose
across the porch.
The girl, sitting at the window of
the lodging house, looked out at the
dirty Nottingham lace curtains of the
lodging house across the street and
then afar over Wilderness of irrcgu-
lar brick walls and smoking chjmncys
with eyes grown suddenly wistfui.
How she hated it all, Even If she
could keep this fresh and dainty this
tiny room she called her own,
Aaplewild. The big, comfortable
country house. set back in rich orchard
lands. She used to laugh at the quaint,
prim, low ceiled rooms, with their air
of rigid order, of sedateness. Now
she fancied them as q sweet cool
refuge. II there were only some fresh
swisses and silkoline draperies around,
tonne pillows. what an ideal home it
would be. She would do the dining
room in yellow, as it was ON the north
side of the house, and
The changing gong of a fire engine
passing In tie street below startled
up with little Jerk and glancea
around the shabby little room, with
the crude paper, the aggressive carpet,
the cheap pine furniture, and her
trunk in the corner. 1t was here she
was going to remain-here. She had
no intention of marrying Ned Ford.
So she hastily dspped her pen in the
ink bottle on the window sill, steadied
her portfolio on her knee and began
to write:
Dear Ned--I have your letter, and I'm
sorry, sorry, SO sorry you wrote IT. Not
that l don't want you to be fond Of me.
l do. 1t seems sometimes as II I'm mil
lions of miles away from every one who
ever cared pin for me. But 1t Isn't any
use your loving me-that way. Don't
think there's any one else. There isn't.
Two men have asked me the same Ques-
ton since I've been earning my living in
town. But l couldn't care for either the
tiniest bit. And i do care for you-only,
not In the way ought to If
She shot look at the little clock
jumped to her feet.
Seven ten, stilI.'
She grabbed her hat hastily put 1t
on, adjusted her veil with glance at
the pretty. pale face that looked back
at her from the glass with quite
frightened expression, and caught up
her gloves.
Mercy. / must have forgotten to
wind the clock. / was so tired last
night. I'll be late as sure as fater'
The ears were crowded, and she had
to stand all the way to the store. She
was late and was not only locked, but
received reprlmand from the head of
the department There was a conven-
ton of some sort Ia town, and the great
establishment was thronged with sight
seers and shoppers. The heat of the
day increased. aud what with the close,
sultry warmth, the worry over the
episode of the morning and the inces-
SAINT demands upon her attention a
splitting headache began to torture the
girl. she found it hard to retain her
usual calm courtesy of manner when
fashionab.y dressed woman upon
whom she had been waiting announe-
ed loudly and with a suspicious glance
in her direction that she had missed
her pocketbook.
Il had it a moment ago. / just laid
it down herer' she explained to the
foorwalker who had hurried up. This
young lady was waiting on me"'
ut may have been taken TO the lost
and found department. Ii you will
come with me, madam
She reluctantly accompanied him.
And when a few minutes later she re-
passed the counter carrying her re-
claimed property the look she sent
Jocelyn Duane was as vindictive as
though she still harbored doubt Of her
innocence.
pheasant life, this.'' the girl muir
INJURED. Being independent was not all
It was cracked up to be she was de-