Cañon City record., 1907-12-12

| wouldn't be satisfied. Besides. he takes
| up so much of my time that ! couldnt I
do my duty by you" And Jack had to
submit with the best grace he could
| muster.
Unfortunately he consulted the doc
tor who attended Mr. Ackermann as
to the probable duration of the old
| mans illness.
The doctor assured him that the
trouble was chiefly hypochondria ami
that he might live for years in the
same state or might possibly recover
as suddenly as he had collapsed. At all
events the patient was in no immeli
ate danger.
The inquiry would have done no
| + IL had it not been that the docto7
talking wife. to whom he told
erythIng, so before long the whole
.eighborhood was saying that lack
Raiston had been asking how long old
man Ackermann could live. OF course
the story came to Miss Ackcr...,.i,l' =
ears. to her intense Indignation a1tl
still greater grief. Jack could not dCny
il in toto. and short of positive Gr.:i !
i
There was a quarrel a broken en- =
meut. and Jack Ralston Went NC :,
leaving his sweetheart wei nish h-"
ken hearted. with only duty to couSo.e
her. and sometimes duty is the best
consolation one can have.
Ii he had been less impatient there
would have been no trouble. DR.. Band
did not understand the effect Which Il
! broken heart sometimes produces upon
the body Mr.. Ackermann died before
the winter WAS over. Jack Ea!ston
came home as soon as he heard the
news. but Miss Ackermann 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 fa
ther's death. She would not even Sc"
him. and so the affair ended
Well, II was too late now. and she
was fool 10 he 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 a hasty toilet for
dinner.
There was only n quiet family gath
ering. The fiance of the oldest daugh
ter. travelling salesman in the EN-
ploy of wholesale house. was the
life of the party. He was considered
very bright young man and good
talker. He was at his best today and
kept them all amused with stories Of
his travels. SO that Miss AckermaGn
had only to listen with q semblance of
interest.
BY the way. Miss AcEermann." he
said presently. II met m 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 ont 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
the bureau. I always carry It around
to keep me out Of tomptat1on-guard-
ian angel business, you know. Min
and he saw II. You know people say
you two look alike, and the likeness
comes out strong In that photo. 1t
struck him all of a heap. Excuse me.
he said. but will you tell me whose
picture that iSl 1t looks very much
like some one knew ten years ago
".Certainly.' said I. That Is my
best girl. She Is thought very much
like a lady who lives in the same
house, Miss Ackermann, from New Jer-
sey.' Well. It turned out to be the
very same He asked lots Of questions
about you. especially whether you were
married. | gave you q good character.
and I guess you'll be hearing from him
before long. Ross says he h bache-
lor."
Miss Ackermann controlled herself
suniciently to smile. Thank you. we
were friends and neighbors when
was q girl" she replied. and in a mo-
ment more they were all laughing at
eomical anecdote which the drummer
was telling In his hest style. It was
NO wonder he sold goods.
when the dinner was over the host
sss excused herself soon upon the plea
Of domestic duties. leaving Miss Acker-
mann with the young people. 30
knowing herself In the way. she lin
eereti but a few minutes Rack 10 her
room abe gave way and took refuge In
that last s0ace of her sex. = good cry.
Her overwrought nerves demanded re-
~ and would not he denied.
NJ was still hslsitilesl. discousoaate
noan. on the lounge when there came