The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1907-12-25

harm had 1t not been that the doctor
had q talking wife, to whom he told
everything, SO before long the whole
neighhorhood was saying that Jack
Ralston had been asking how long old
man Acliermam could live. OF course
the story came to Miss Aekermann's
ears, TO her intense Indignation and
still greater grief. Jack could hot deny
II in toto, and short of positive denial
she would listen TO no explanation.
There was n 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.
If he had been less impatient there
would have been no trouble. DIR. Bland
did not understand the effect which a
broken heart sometimes produces upon
the body. Mr.. Ackermann died before
the winter was over. Jack Ralston
came home as soon as he heard the
| news, but Miss Ackermann had gone to
the city with 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, Ii WAS too late now, and she
was fool to be dreaming of II. 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 bur
ried home TO make hasty toilet for
| dinner.
There was only quiet family gath
ering The flance of the oldest daugh-
ter, travelling salesman in the en-
| ploy Of wholesale house. was the
| life of the party He was considered
n 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 Ackermann
had only to listen with semblance of
| interest.
by the way. Miss Alderman" he
| said presently. Il met an old friend of
yours on this last trip. Ralston was
| the name-J. w Ralsten. II was in
| Idaho, Boise City. lie is doing well
In mines out there and IL quite chum-
my with one of my best customers,
who has some money In his business.
| The two We're together at my rooms in
the hotel. and he saw Minis picture on
the bureau. always carry It around
| to keep me out of temptatlon-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. 1t
| struck him all of n heap. Excuse me-
he said, but will you tell me whose
| picture that ISL 1t looks very much
like some one knew ten years ngo.'
Certainly said l. That is my
best girl. She Is thought very much
like n lady who lives In the same
house, Miss Ackcrmann. from New Jer-
sey.' Well it turned out to be the
very same. lie asked lots of questions
about you, especially whether you were
| narriad gave Sou good charaoto-,
and | guess you'll be hearing from him
before long. Ross says he il a bache-
lor."
Miss Ackermann controlled herself
sufficiently to smile THANK you, we
were friends and neighbors when
was girl" she replied, and in mo-
ment more they were all laughing at a
comical anecdote which the drummer
was telling In his best style. 1t was
no wonder he sold goods.
Whar fba 1tppar xyoo nvnr fI,a host.
ess excused herself soon upon the plea
Of domestic duties, leaving Miss Acker-
mann with the young people. SO.
knowing herself In the way, she lin
gered but few mlnr Back In her
room she gave WI with anti8eefuge In
| that last solace OF - II. ;,1 i! cry.
Her overweight nervt p'iNoo y re-
lief and would not be de. ",e "
She was still huddled, aeyAlsolate
heap, on the lounge when there came
tap at the door which she recognized
as that of her little friend. She sat
up and hurriedly Strengthened her hair.
trusting that In the dim light of the
! fast falling twilight the child would
notice nothing amiss. sharp as she was
"Come in," she called ms the knock
was repeated.
"Here's n gentleman to see you" the
child said, with the air Of person
| who confers favor. He says he Is
an old friend. so | brought him right
up" Miss Alderman remembered
| that. 1t being Christmas day, the maid
would be out and that consequently
the little girl would answer the door.
"Thank you" she said. you may
| GO" Then she found herself face to
face with bronzed and bearded man
| whose eyes only were familiar.
well. Annie" he said In voice she
knew so WELL here am once mere"
She held out both hands with an
eager gesture. "Oh, Jack. Jack!" she
| cried.
A moment more and she was sob
bling on his shoulder while his arms
held her as though they would never
| let go.
An English Superstition.