The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-06-17

good fire-one which would have
made wrathful the misery heart OF the
late Jacob Dix-and a fair amount of
light from two candles placed on the
mantelpiece- Margaret was cheerful
even gay, on this evening: md with
her hand in Hagar's she thanked the
girl for her kindness.
But indeed. thanks are weak, said
the blind woman: you have fed the
hungry and clothed the naked. After
thirty years Of doubt. my dear. you
have restored my faith in human ma
ture-"
How did you lose ito"
Through a man. my dear. one who
said that he loved me. vet who broke
off our engagement without any rea-
SON"
That was strange Why did you not
ask him for his reason"
I could not" said Margaret, with a
sigh; he was in India. But it is a long
story, my dear. If you care to listen
Il shall be delighted" said Hagar.
quickly-"especial if it explains why
you sealed I'D the letters in the tea
pot
Yes. it explains that. IN that tea
FOt-which was the only present 7 ever
received from John Mask placed hts
cruel letters thirty years ago: also mine
10 IlIll- WHICH Tie sent DdCk-
why did he send back your Ietters2
asked Hagar.
Il don't know; 7 cannot say: but he
returned them. on" she cried. with
burst of anguish, how cruel. how cru
ell and I loved him SOL loved him!
But he forgot me and married Jane
LOrrimer Now they are rich and pros
porous and happy, while II am dying
a pauDeT in a garrett And the silver
teapot is pawned," she finished pathet-
icalIy.
Hagar patted the hand which gripped
the bedclOthes. Tell me the story"
said she, oothingly-"that is. if it will
not cause you too much pain
Pain" said Margaret. bitterly.
when the heart is broken it feels no
pain, and mine was broken thirty years
ago by John Mask" She remained 81
lent for a moment, and then continued.
Il lived at ChTistchurch, in Hants. my
dear, in a little cottage just outside the
town This I inherited from my par
ents, together with a trifle Of money
Tot much, indeed, but sufficient to live
upon. Both my father and mother had
died, leaving me alone in the world at
the age of 20, so I lived in my cottage
with Lucy Dyke and a little maid as my
servants. Lucy was near my own age.
and looked after the house as well. I
was blind, you see, my dear" said Mar
garet, softly, "and could do nothing for
myself. Dear Lord but I have had 10
earn my own living since then
Overcome by bitter memories, she
paused for moment Hagar did not
dare to break the silence, and in q
short time Margaret resumed her tale.
ALSO, had a dear friend, called Jane
LOTTimer, who lived near, with her par
ents. and who visited me constantly.
We were like sisters, and I loved her
better than any one in the world till
John Mask came to Christchurch. He
was visiting the rector of the parish.
and I met him. Although 7 never saw
his face, I was told that he was very
handsome, and he had 4 sweet. low
voice, which charmed me greatly. You
know. my dear, how we poor blind folk
love a sympathetic voice. Well. I loved
John, but I had no idea that there
would be any return of that love. for
how could blind girl hope that hand
some young man would look on her.
added Margaret, in a mel
ancholy tone, when Jane was so hand
sOme?"
But he did not love Jane" observed
Hagar, significantly.
NO" said the blind woman. proud
ly; he loved me, and this he told me
after we had known each other a year.