The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-04-08
Biles'Union Grain
Cash Feed Store
1. II. DenCfl, Mgr.
Telephone, 7-l2.
Manchester Depot, VI.

path that one Knows instincliseiy
leads TO heights Of bliss -heighls
whence Il takes lifetime TO descend
II was the old story of pledged
word aud a love come too late. Shs
had turned Hilton away nnd-.Jeffrcy
was speaking again IN a slow. hesitat
Ing way. very unlike his usual man
ser.
'You remember that day In Rome
when we were looking IN tho window
Of old Riconi. the goldsmith. and We
both saw the--ring" He touched hcr
finger gently with one hand.
"Ycs," she said, n little breathlcssly,
Il was not often that Jeffrey spoke OF
Euch matters. Their engagement had
been slngularly free from sentiment.
"And you admired Its quaint setting,
and SO bought II and we called II nm
engagement ring" he went on lightly.
ut is needless 10 relate that the houses
or Vincent and Littlcton rcjoiced great.
ly and that our boy and girl attach.
ment settled into Darby and joan
fatness." There was tlngc Of bit.
terncss in his voice that caused an up.
lifting of her pretty brows.
"And? she suggested hnughtily.
II have thought perhaps you might
have tired of me and wanted your free
dom, only--your cofscience-you know
you have a conscience, little cousin
II am sorry, jeffrey, that my con.
science as you call IL, has been tho
means OF binding you TO an unwelcome
contract. No; do not speak" she said
eoldly. 1T is true that would never
have been the one TO break the engage
ment because my word is my law,
and Her voice broke suddenly.
Il thought you'd be pleased" cried
Jeffrey In CONSERVATION. 'You know
-Hllton-you see He stammered
confusedly as she started to her feet
.Be stIllr' she said In low, passion.
ate voice, Don't you know that you
are too late nowp why didn't you jilt
me beforef" She sank back on tho
rocks and buried her face IN her hands
with little sobbing cry.
Jeffrey Redeemed darkly at her
words. He scrambled down from tho
powders and stood on the beach be-
fore her. Il am very sorry, Helen.
know you think I'm end, but--i can
not explain. You may understand
some day"
await she said scornfully. lifting
q fearful face to his. "Yon must un-
derstand that am not breaking my
heart over your desertion. IL Ii be-
cause | have just sacrificed lifetime
OF happiness for such as you!"
She drew the brilliant ring from her
finger and held II toward him.
"Won't you keep that, Helen. Just FOR
remembrance" be asked awkwardly.
Il cannot" she said coldly, and 1t
dropped into his reluctant hand. Pres
emily he found himself following clear
ly defined footprints IN the damp sand.
They skIrted the beach and circled the
lighthouse. When they ceased Jenrey
found himself face to face with Rich
ard Hilton.
Hello, Hiltonw he said genially.
evading the other mans miserable
eyes. "Going down the beachf II
you are wish you'd just take this
handkerchief TO my cousin--Miss VIM
cent She's sitting on the rocks be-
yond the point" He held out morsel
Of cobweb and lace.
Hilton hesitated.
II don't know" be said doubtfnlly.
"You see, I'm waiting for the 43o
train. I'm going back TO the city to-
night Important business
"Well. all right You see, I'm going
to take that same train myself-must
catch the LucretIa tomorrow morning
going abroad for three years, and
Il guess I'll have time to run up
there with IT," said Hilton eagerly
"Goodby, old mani Hope you have
good time. Goodbyp He swung
around the point with the Hutfering
handkerchief In his hand. jeffrey fol-
lowed his going with strange smile
on his lips.
lie opened his cllnehed right hand
and disclosed the curious little ring
which Helen had returned to him. Az
he looked at II his full lips stlnened
into straight, hard lines. He lifted bis
hand, and there were fash OF gold
aud sparkle OF flame before tho
Jewel disappeared in the oncoming
green waves.
"Goodby, everything he muttered
grimly. Theh he turned and walked
briskly toward the railroad station.
~-----------s-----r~--
d. Il1.altA III lInra uIr That s1a as~