The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1907-12-27

4 y,
up % much Of ny time that couldn't
DO my dnty by you" And Jack had to
submit with the best grace De could
muster. myU l#n +.
Unfortunately he. consulted the doc
tor who attended Mr.. Alderman as
to the probable duration of the old
mans illness. M
The doctor assured him that the
trouble was chiefly hypochondria and
that he might live for years in the
same state or might possibly recover
a. suddenly as he had collapsed. Atall
events the patient was in no tmmedi-
ate danger. .s .,,-.
The inquiry would have done no
harm had 1t not been that the doctor
had talking wife. to whom he told
everything, so before long the whole
neighborhood was saying that Jack
Ralston had been asking how. long old
man Ackermann could live. OF course
the story came to Miss Ackermann's
ears, to her intense indignation and
stu c:-c:,t,'" grief. Jack could not deny
it il 400. AL short of positive denial
she would listen to no explanation.
There was a quarrel, a broken engage
ment, and Jack Ralston went west,
leaving his sweetheart well nigh bro
ken hearted. with only duty to console
! her, and sometimes duty is the best
| consolation one can have. 3
If he had been less impatient there
would have been no trouble. DR.. Bland
did not understand the effect which
broken heart sometimes produces upon
the body. Mr.. Ackermahn died before
the winter was over. Jack Ralston
came home as soon as he heard the
news, but Miss Alderman had gone to
the city with a cousin Of her mother
and was obdurate. Her filial affection
found satisfaction in refusing to for
give the lover who had desired her ia
theirs death. She would not even see
him, and so the affair ended.
Well, it was too late now, and she
was fool to be dreaming Of it. The
sermon was ended, and the music Of
the organ reused her to the conscious
ness of things present and to come.
She took part with the congregation in
the rest Of the service and then hur-
ried home to make hasty toilet for
dinner.
There was only quiet family gath
ering. The fiance Of the oldest daugh-
ter, q travelling salesman in the en-
ploy Of wholesale house, was the
life of the party. He was considered
very bright young man and a good
talker. He was at his best today and
kept them all amused with stories of
his travels, so that Miss Ackermann
had only to listen with semblance Of
interest. II
by the way, Miss Ackermann," he
said presently, II met an old friend Of
yours on this last trip. Ralston was
the name-J. W. Ralston. It was in
Idaho, Boise City. He is doing well
in mines out there and is quite chum-
my with one Of my best customers,
who has some money In his business.
The two were together at my rooms In
the hotel, and he saw Minis picture on
tho bureau. I always carry It around
to keep me out Of temptation
ian angel business, you know. Min :
you two look alike, and the likeness
comes out strong In that photo. It
struck him all Of Z heap. 'Excuss me-
hs said, but VIII you toll me- whose
picture that is1 It looks very much
ike some one knew ten years aga
Certainly said I. That u my
best girl. 6he IL thought vsr1 much
lA@- IN 10
house, Miss Ackexmana, from New Jer-
soy Well, it turned out to b tho
very same. He asked lots Of questions
about you, especially whether you were
married. gave you q good character,
and guess you'll b hearing from him
before long. Rods says he b 4 bsche
jor."
Miss Alderman controlled herse}f
sufficiently to sn1ue. THANK you, we
were friends and neighbors whsn I
was a gdn.- abe replied. and In a mo-
ment more they were all laughing at a
comical anecdote which TIE drummer
was telling in his best style. It was
no wonder he sold goods. =
When the dinner was over the host
ess excused herself soon upon the plea
Of domestic duties, leaving Miss Acker-
mann with tho young people. So,
knowing herself In the way, she lin
gered but q few minutes. Back IN her
room she gave way and took refuge In
that last solace Of her sex, a good cry.
Her ovexvrought nsrvss demanded 70
liof and would 'not b denied. -
She W. st1u huddIed. a ,disconsolate
hsap On oe lounge when thexs came
4 tip 1T DE door which she recognised
- ,that Of her uttle friend. me sat
up and hurrtedly shaiyhtaned her hair,ss
trusting that in de dim light of the
fast falling twilight the child would
nol3ce nothing amiss, sharp al she was.
'eCosns H." sl,s called - ths knock
Was repeated.
HspSs q gent2eunan to see you" the
child said. with tie air Of person
who confers Z favor. He says be Is
IN old frinnA N I h0OuR1lt him f10ht