The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-12-20

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 and
that he might live for years i'm the
same state or might possibly recover
as suddenly as he had collapsed. At all
events the patient was in no immedf-
ate danger.
The inquiry would have done no
harm had 1t not been that the doctor
had n 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
still greater grief. Jack could not deny
1t In toto. and short of positive denial
she would listen to no explanation.
There was quarrel. broken engage
ment. and Jack Ralston went west,
leaving his sweetheart well nigh bro
ken hearted. with only duty to console
her. ana sometimes duty is the best
consolation one can have.
If he had been less impatient there
would have been no trouble. DR.. Bland
did not understand the effect which q
bro1"n heart sometimes produces upon
t'!e holy. Mr.. Alderman died before
the winter was over Jack Ralston
came LONE us soon as he heard the
news. but Miss Ackermann had gone to
The city with Il cousin Of her mother
and was obdurate. Her filial affection
give the lover who had desired her ia.
theirs death. She would not even see
him. and so the affair ended.
Well. 1t was too late now, and she
was fool to be dreaming of 1t. 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 aud then hur.
r3ed home to make hasty toilet for
dinner.
There was only a 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
a 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.
by the way. Miss Ackermann." he
said presently. Il met an old friend OF
yours on this last trip. Ralston was
the name-J. ". Ralston. II was in
Idaho. Boise City. He Is doing well
In mines out there and In 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 lie saw Minis picture on
the bureau. always carry ii around
20 keep me out Of temptation-guard
Ian angel business. you know. Min
and he saw It. You know people say
You two look alike. and the likeness
comes out strong In that photo. II
struck him all of a heap. Excuse me-
he said. but will you tell the whose
picture that is? II looks very much
,like some one knew ten years ago.
Certainly said |. That is my
best girl She is thought very much
like lady rho lives In the same
house. Miss Ackermann. from New Jcr
sey.' Well. IL turned ont to be the
very same. He asked lots Of questions
about you. especially whether You were
married. gave you good character
AMI guess you'll be- hearing from him
beforc long. Ross says he Is bache
lor"
Miss Ackcrmann controlled herself
sufficiently to smile. THANK you. we
were friends aud nelghhors when
was a girl" she replied. and In a mo
mcnt more they were all laughing at d
coElical anectlotp which the drummer
was telling In his hrst style. II wa
no w0u1cr he sold goods.
Nhru the elmer was over the host
c<s excused lire sslf soon upon the plea
~ d"mcxii;' '"'trn. leaving Mss i0Arr,
mann with the young ia'op]e ~
! ki.0W,n. h,'-*"if IN t4' WAY she Ij.,.
etT>i hrt 81 f,~ mv1oto<. H4rh In her
roo'a st, give way rnd tnnk rpfugs j
;!.@t 'a+t So!Hc" If h"r <px. a g1ol Try
! r." overs, e.. ~ nerves demanded r.
| TIT @:rl v".l1I moi H. ,'eael.
Sew >'i;1 .n5Uv. Il dl>roa~~'H:>
Temp Oh t'te .uu=r wb,.n there ranr
fl t*:t III IL g. ! sssr vt's', ~..r ryv.t<"i~ts
~ l.sset ". Hr~ 'lttl' f~:ouL %t,e <at
! ~, c.sl '.etr~'r.j!y strdj2!jir8c,i trr hrtv
| Trusting that In t!I.' dim light NJ The
fart G4lt'ug twilight TIE chilli wu'.l1
hottie notMIn& an,>S. sharp u she wa>
Come tn Suc called aS ttlr huo l.
was repeated.
"IlpTr'S II gentleman to see YOU" the
child said. with the air Ut a person
whu cunfrrs u favor lie says he Il
IN Md friend. so | brought him righ,
up" Miss Ackermann remembered
that II being Christmas day. the maid
would he out aud that consequently
the little girl would answer the tIour.
Thank you" she said. "you may
20" Then she found herself face tn
| face with bruuZpd aud bearded muu