The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-02-10


had never come her way, teas all
ready" and then Mabel tried her best
to look pleased and happy. and told
Kitty what happened to her in her ca
pacity as daily governess, and Kitty
had some new story to tell of dear,
delightful Mr.. Johnson.
'Dear. darling Mab.'' thought Kitty,
as her eyes rested fondly upon her sis
ter. I've never had d trouble yet,
bless her dear old heart, but what she
hasn't helped me out of It; and now
she's going to lift us right out of the
worst trouble of all-this horrid PROV
erty."
And later, when Rudolf Turner, Ma
bells handsome, manly lover, came
upon the scene, Kitty ran off to spend
her evening with Ada Brown, who had
the fiat below.
Poor chap" thought Kitty, commits
eratingly, as she saw the hopeful love-
light in his eyes as he rested his gaze
upon all he loved in the world, you'll
be sent away tonight, 1 know; Pm
awfully sorry for you, but, after all, it
can't be helped. What is love, any,
way. when it means everlasting prov
erty? She'll forget all about it when
she is Mrs. johnson. Why, it'll be just
like fairyland after thisr'
And pretty Kitty, worldly because
she had never felt the fire of love, went
off to Ada Brown.
And those two? They remained to-
gether, with all they both loved, In that
small room.
She had kept him hoping on for
weeks, trying to decide the bitter
struggle that ragged in her breast.
Now that it was all over, she knew
her course, and he was to hear it to-
night.
How she told him she knew not: a
dull clutching held her heart, and she
was conscious only of those words
which would keep them apart for ever
more
As through curtain that seemed to
hide from her the fearful wrong she
wrought, she saw his face become
deadly pale and his eyes darken with
a strange despair.
"And this is the end!' he said, In
low, hoarse. voice that sought her heart,
and stilled it; 'this Is the end dreaded!
These are the last of those enchanted
dreams that kept me for you, and you
for me-crushed beneath the feet of
the woman worshiped, the woman I
loved with all my heart and soul.
better than life itself-ruined and scat
tered by you"
Don't, Rudolf. don't reproach me-"
she sobbed.
Il don't reproach you. Mabel; why
should L? According to the world, you
have done wisely. You have chosen
what is worthy of beauty such as
yOurs-and what matters it that you
have walked over one mans bleeding
heart TO gain it,"
His answer was her sobbing and her
quivering frame; and he rose.
Could she lose him like that?
Rudolf" she said, lit is for Kitty's
sakenot mine-don't, oh. don't judge
me harshly."
For her sake! What of mine?' he
said, with n hard, cold laugh-and he
was gone.
The next day the millionaire's be-
trothal ring. magnificent circlet of
diamonds and rubies. glistening on Ma
bells lovely hand. and. urged by her
fiancee and Kitty. she consented to an
early wedding.
Mr.. Johnson was constant visitor
at the little fat, and Kitty, whom he
treated as petted sister, was never
tired of expatiatlng at great lengths on
his charms TO Mabel. She thought he
was absolutely the most delightful
man sac had ever met, and how stupid
it was Of Mabel not TO fall in love with
him.
Mabel smiled when she listened to
these extravagant comments, and, ex-
cept when alone, contrived to keep her
face so bright and so radiant. that it
was little wonder Kitty only half
guessed what a sacrifice Mabel was
making.
The days rolled on, anc it was just
W, PIX before the day appointed for the
wedding. that Mabel. while on a shop
ping tour. came upon an old friend of
her schOoldays.
"Ahd DO you know. Mabel" she said
at parting. that Rudolf Turner is seri-
ously i'll with brain fever. They tell,
me it is some love trouble. Poor
fellow. hope he gets over it,"
All that evening and the next morn
ing Mabel was lost in her own dismal
thoughtH 1t was late in the afternoon