Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-07-16


Gently. "Perhnps | never did mention
it." Then at the sound Of footsteps on
the gravel she added rather hurriedly,
Don't lay 1t up against the poor fel-
low, though"
Two dark figures were approaching
from the foot of the lawn. II Con-
stance jumped at the conclusion that
Douglas Stane was n widOwer just be-
cause she had said, "Tell that to Doug
las Stane when he asks you," 1t was
her own fault.
Meantime that young lady's greeting
TO MIR. Stane was a trite stiff, but no
one but her tormenting cousin noticed
it, The gentleman himself seemed ut
terly unconscious. He had determined
to learn his fate, and in the grip OF
that mighty resolve all minor things
escaped his notice.
Miss Singleton seemed bent upon aid
ing him, for she and her fiance We're
lost to sight around bend of the road.
Stane Hoo -hOoed!' after the manner
of the cottagers in the neighborhOOd.
but no answer came back.
ltStTleu us ulItuut, ut lduBucu,
his voice little shaken by the great
question that trembled on his lips.
Lets hurry and catch up with
them" suggested his companion.
"IIow extremely unfattering" came
his answer. IL was just longing to
have you all to myself"
lie tried to speak lightly, but eager
ness vibrated in his voice. They had
emerged from the grove and stood at
the edge of the rocks.
"My dear, dear love" He took both
of the small hands in his own and
stood looking down at her, struggling
to speak calmly.
"You know you must know" he
went on eagerly, that you are the only
woman on earth to me. How I've
lived all these years without you l do
not know. l can't face life without
you any longer l never knew what
it was to live until l met you"
A quick change came over Con-
stances face; even in the dim light
he saw it and wondered. and she
wrcnched her hands away.
"For shnme!" she said hotly. For
shame, DO you think any woman will
love you better for ignoring her-that
other-the one who in other years was
'all the world to yOu?"
She stopped, unable to go further,
because the tears were choking her.
A look of blank nmazement over
spread Stane's face, and he stared Mt
her with eyes that were concentrat-
ed interrogation.
"Oh, 1t seems to me-" she went on
passionately. that II were man
and had once loved a woman well
enough to marry her, and she had
died. I'd be little bit true to her
ionship. whatever it Is that men re-
marry for. I'd say 80, instead Of pre-
tending that l had never really loved
before!'
Had she been less wrought up by
her feelings. she might have noticed
that during this TRADE several express
sions fiuttered like shadows across her
to understanding, and that in turn to
IL grim determination.
II see" he said slowly, but in
voice whose ring made her look up at
him with the conviction that he was
no longer a suppliant for her favor.
"You reject my love because'-
because you have been married be-
fore" she finished stubbornly.
Jealous OF dead woman" he
mused looking at her through eyes
narrowed to mere slit. "Ah, me"'
Then. as If the episode were closed,
he asked quietly, "Shall we return to
the hOuse?'
She felt suddenly terrified, bereft.
She had expected something very diff
-eXpostulatiOn self justifica-
tion. 4 mighty struggle was going on
within her. But above the din Of con-
tending feelings she heard one clear
cry, Il love him! / love him." and
she held out her hands as beseechingly
as a child.
"YOu poor, silly little girl"' he
whispered in a voice of great content
as he swept her up in his arms, "Who
ever told You that absurd tale? But
I've proved to You that you would
have loved me even If had been"