The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-02-03

~ which Jacques kept locked
"A up i'm that much-tricd
h M heart OF hers
She was tall and
plcasant.naiurcd girl who, having
married man two years before, by
the advice of her friends and against
her own feminine Instincts had been
deserted for her pains after a BRIEF
twelve months Of married misery; by
one who had turned out y rcprobate Of
the finest water. The Cruclcst part
OF 1t was that, though the iron letters
of matrmony stlll lay upon her, the
black Shadow to which she was
linked had made no sign after his
fight, had sent no token to say
whether he was alive or dead, or II he
would return some day.
And while poor jacques was thus
waiting there came on the scene hand.
some young Captain Dancgarth, fresh
from campaigning in the Philippines.
and he fell hOpelcssly in love with her
the very first time they met.
Had it been an ordinary case, Dane
garth would have been man enough TO
get him gone at once when he realized
that fact. But II was not an ordinary
case, he told himself when his love
began to grow, and he TO argue on it.
The Shadow might already have drunk
himself TO death, he told himself; and
II that were SO No, he could not,
and would not, leave her while all was
so uncertain Thus 1t came about that
the soldier circlcd ever near and more
near the flame, ana the poor lady was
so gracious MI that bitter time that
shallow observers said she had no
heart, and only her close friends no
ticcd how her hands tightcncd when
there came a chance ring upon the
door.bell At first she had been aware
OF the gallant captain only rs grace
full presence added to the circle OF her
friends. Later on he became a wei
come interest, and then, as he came
hidden sympathy fell upon her, some
thing to look for, something TO which
her troubled heart, cropping about for
encouragement and support, instructive
ly felt 1t could turn without chance of
rebuff
At last the poor, distraught captain
bethought himself OF asking advice,
and, as often happens, got little good
by it, First, he went TO a certain vet
cran colonel, knowing in the ways of
the world and having propitiatcd the
oracle with its most favorite cigars,
poured out his soul
"Wcl, my boy" said the voice of
the old warrior from behind the blue
Havana cloud, there are but two
things to he done, and you won't par
ticularly like either of them. one is to
take the fools way of desperation, and
the other the wise mans way of wait
ing; you will wait. and kindly provi.
dencc will make note OF your good
behavior"
Yes" said the downcaSt lover, 81
suppose that is the only thing for it,
So the poor man went or. very little
comforted, his chin upon his chest,
and for a day or two locked himself
I'm the scClusiOn OF his rooms. broodlng,
and planning all sorts of ridiculous
ways out of the dilemma. lie was
away so long that acquaintanCcS be-
gan to make inquiries of each other
when they met. while shaking their
heads omlrouSly young men were So
impaticnt-always trying 10 force the
hands OF Providence and obligc duh
footed time 10 jump according 10 their
fancieS. As for the lady. she. too
noted his absence. and as the color
which began 10 bud a little in her
cheeks died down again. she learned
for the first time. with pang of self
reproach, how sweet his presence had
become to her.
Where had he goncg She did not
believe for a moment he would do any
thing desperate, but he might have
been wise. which was just as fata
from her point OF view; he might hav,
fed while there was yet time, and heI
poor little heart went where heroincs
hearts are supposed TO be at the bar,
idea! She listened day after day will
consuming cagcguess for some mention
OF him. and cgged on his friends a
well as she could to make inquiries
until one night. downcast and miser
| able, thinking he had gone forever, sh
met him suddenly.
IL was in the refrcshment room at
dance. IL was not often Jacques wen
| TO such things OF late. but there sh
was that evening, left pretty and sad
! eyed I'm corner, while chance part
ner brayed the terrors OF the crus
10y the tables in search of an ice 70
her. Then suddenly appeared Captain
Danegarth, just as IL her perpetua
thought had conjured him into a ma
terial being from the air. Ii was, how
ever, no apparition, but the soldier 4
| -ast aaeb and biood tttta naio on