Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-08-27

He felt that somehow he had always
known that soft voice and rippling
laugh.
He followed her into the garden,
where the moonlight cleaned over
snowy masses of chrySanthcmums
that stood in tall ranks. \ magic
dwclt in the winding alleys of that old
garden, walled in by the lush fra
GRANGE of roses. Desperately. helpless
ly, he went down before that small
still of flowers and grew very impa
tient of his irrelevant replies. At last
she vcntured, You expected to consult
with Mr.. Marvin as To the business
for the coming season.
Rcpplier pulled himself together and
came out of the clouds. lie had forgot
ten his errand.
Yes; l had proposition to make
from our firm. You have been our
chief source OF supply for several
months. and we have decided to offer
you an interest If you will agree to
work under our supervision
JcSsica drew a long breath.
Repplier went to his room that night
in state of mind that BATTLES drscrip-
tion and lay for hours gazing out into
the white night.
Morning-the plantation bell sent its
summons far out into the misty gray
ness. Alas, the fields Of I:oS dare
had passed to alien hands. but the old
bell still swung and lifted its voice. as
1t had done when I'm answer to it's call
the duSky file went forth from the
gates to toll for the master of Bois
dare. Somewhere away off a chorus
of hounds responded. and fields began
to fill with the cotton pckrrS.
.JeSsica was seated behind the urn us
he sat down to Aunt Ailsa's hot waf
fles and fried chicken. AS he watched
the small sunbrowncd hands among
the coffee cups the visions of the night
came back in full force.
Repplier had no excuse for prolong-
ing his stay. but before I"sSica drove
him down to .Aldana he managed To
extract an invitation for the holidays
from Miss Rebccca. Ecpplirr had
touched her strangely with his half
wistful remark. "Christmas is an emp
ty word to me, have never had a
home"
Christmas eve. as Jessica came
across the yard from the office. Rep
plier met her with such honest glad
ness in face and vOic" that she forgot
lnr oil
gladly. \ long. happy week. for .Jes-
sica. her guard once down. threw her
self into the spirit of the hour. Rep
plicr found his crumpled rose leaf.
however. in the person of Charlie Car
ringtOn, who was .JeSSica's shadow.
"ToO confoundcdly couSinly." thought
Repplier as the swift days flew. He
had never cared for dancing. but it
was dull work to stand in the shadow
while .IcSSica circled the room in Char
lies arms. But ut last the round of
dances and merrymakings drew to Il
close. Ecpplier grew desperate. There
was only one day left to him. If Miss
Rebccca had earned his gratitude be-
fore she now had his un'lying affection
in the hour when she pressed Charlie
into service to drive her to the next
plantation.
1t WAS one of those dreary, midwin
ter afternoons. and the open fire flick
cred checrily. JcSSica commenced Il
furious onslaught with the poker.
"Poking a fire is a positive Stmulant
on day like this"
"Is it? Let me try it." He took the
poker. and they knclt together on the
broad hearth. \ merry war of words
and then Il silence that neither OF them
dared to break. .IcSSica Gazrd deep in
to the heart of the fire, but Rcpp!icrS
eyes We're on the dark curls. He could
not see her face. As he dropped the
poker she stretched out her hand to
find it caught and held-"JrsSica" 1t
was just whisper but the rich color
went over her face, and the hand hut-
tered within the strong grasp that he'll
it prisoner as he went on. Il know il is
too soon. but cannot 20 and leave my
story untold. You know that | hav"
loved You from the moment that first
saw you. l believe that l have loved
you always. Above and beyond ali law
Of caste, all difference of north AMI
SOUTH somewhere, somehow, you hav"
belonged to me, and want my own
Outside the raindrops patt"rcd
against the long windows, then the
neigh of horse as Charlie and Miss
Rebecca drove through the big gate
The brown head dropped lower. and
the hand in his no longer struggled to
escape. Quick to grasp his vantage
ground. he drew the slight figure to
him. For just the briefest time his lips
sought hers: then, flushed and shy. Jes-
sica rctreatcd to the other end of the
rug as Miss Rcbecca, standing In the
open door. read the end Of the chapter.
Nm IN In