Middletown transcript., 1908-02-08
aMERCENARY MAN
BY E. BURKE COLLINS

young girl was seated, endeayor-
ing frantically to retain her seat
whfle the horse tore madly on-
ward, was quite an exciting SEN
sation.
One swift glance and Fred was
out IN the street bareheaded. He
bad only time to take in the sit
uaiion; to catch glimpse of a
pale, frightened face with great,
luminous, dark eyes, and q
shower of golden hair tumbling
over her shoulders: and then
well, he meyer knew what he did
next. The first fact of which he
was conscious was that he was in
bis own Office bending over
white, still face upon the sofa
tile girl he had rescued from
death, or at least imminent peril.
The great dark-eyes opened slow
lly and met his gaze-a burning
blush suffused her cheek. She
sat up and glanced around her
while she murmured incoherent
thanks. To all of which the
/ young lawyer listened like one in
a dream: he only realized one fact
THAT she was the loveliest, most
adorable of girls, and that he had
saved her life. She was stopping
at the hotel near, she informed
Him, waiting while a little busi-
ness transaction should be ar
ranged before going to her home,
Nhich was not far away. Her.
name was Jessie Lee, and from
her observations Fred inferred
that she was living as companion
toan elderly lady.
Buthe had gone down so COM
pletely before the pretty face and
bright ways--so utterly stunned
and bewildered was he by the new
sensation Of being forty fathoms
deeper in love at first sight than
be had ever been with Fanny Ray
that he needed nothing. He
| was only aware of one blissful
fact she had asked him to call
upon her at the hotel, which Fred
proceeded to do as soon as posi-
ble. Arriving at the hotel,
whom should be encounter but
Miss Arabella Stuart, who seized
upon him atonce; and from an in
advcrtent remark, he learned
that Miss Lee had been suddenly
calle d away to neighboring city
upon important business. Fred
stifed his disappointment as
much as. possible, and tried to be
agreeable to his elderly friend, 1t
was obvious-alas! too obvious
that Miss Arabella had set her
4
heart upon winning his affections.
The thought made Fred's heart
grow numb in his breast. Then
came the voice of the temper:
She is rich, immensely rich,
and she cares for you. Marry
her, and then there will be
no more worry and toll, and
the dear ones at home will be
well provided for. Fred thought
4 itall over until his brain reeled.
! Wealth was so alluring that,
| through the golden mist around
it, he almost forgot to see the
age and ugliness of its pos
SCISSOR. Forgot for a brief space
the love in his heart for sweet
Jessie Lee.
| Miss Stuart was settled at the
EIms at last, and as though to
| give Fred a view of her vast pos
session, her first act was to invite
him to call. The invitation was received
one day when the poor fellow, worn and
harassed BY Thousand cares, heap of
unpaid bills and other anxieties, felt ready
10 do something desperate. He accepted
The invitation, and as he walked up the
broad ayenne which led to the elegant
mansion in the golden sunset, Fred Dar-
row had almost gone over TO the enemy.
What matter lie said to himself, with a
aeary little sigh. Other men do the same
thing every day, and yet the world is
none the worse for it. | must have
inoney--that is the whole amount of the
matter.
1 Oh. Mr.. Darrow, cried a sweet voice,
close to hisside: aud turning with start,
Il
Fred saw, Standing under great wide
-preading elm, in white ace-trimmed
gown, and broad-brimmed hat, with a
wreath Of corn flowers, sweet Jessie Lee.
50 il was Miss Stuart to whom she was
companion?
+ He had not thought Of any one else
tince he had seen her last; and now, as
lley stood gazing into each others eyes,
ne forgot wisdom, prudence-forgot that
they were almost rangers-forgot mu
tual poyerty-and before lie was aware.o
Z. he had her little xiiite hand in BIZ
Eown.