Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-09-07

ISlloW, Out So aWIutly COESClcntlOu
that felt a great sinner in his pres
ence. 1t was a dull time-just after
left school. l took up with church
work. We were great friends un-
Don't burn the prayerbook. 1t seems
Il sacrilege," interrupted The maid OF
honor, putting out her hand in protest
Very we'll, IL you will take 1t, but
annot retain 1t in my possession. Tear
out the fyleaf: we will at least burn
that. / was saying that he went off ia
London and is working somewhere in
the slums now. Here is the last note
he ever wrote me. . I am afraid 1 treat
good, and, foolish he thought !
was a saint. Men are stupid where we
are concerned"
She paused as she gazed into her
treasure box at the mixed collection of
photographs, faded flowers, locks of
such like.
II call them the broken fragments
Of loves dream"
"Or, memorials of my hirtations,"
suggested Mary.
"Oh, I was really in earnest with a
number of these men. l wonder why
they loved me-" she mused. Blu you
must all go the same way. 1t will new
err do to begin married life with all
these in my possession. l wonder what
Jack would say If he knew
She hastily collected a number OF
photographs.
Suddenly her companion, who was
looking over her shoulder into the box.
gave u start, and with an effort sup
pressed a cry.
Good heavens, Mary! What a fright
you gave me. Whatever is the mat
ter?" asked the bride OF the morrow.
II am cold" Her lips We're white,
and she spoke slowly.
why you are shivering; those BUM
dies of letters are putting the fire out.
They actually refuse to burn. Come
nearer, I will put some more coal on.
Now you will be all right with this
shawl round you. That journey Of
yours must have been very trying"
She was so intent on the box that
that had come under the eye Of her
friend. or that she still shivered in
| spite of the wrap.
Poor Mary Heseltine. The box had
proved fatal to her, there being turned
cut for the holocaust was a package OF
knew the handwriting too we'll to be
mistaken, besides, there were various
pictures of his.
Her first impulse was to demand an
explanation from Ada. The ink looked
as fresh as If it had been written The
day before, but her face was innocent
of deception.
How, long since he was one Of
| them?" she asked. with an effort that
cost her a great deal.
Still her friend did not notice the
change in her voice and answered cas-
ually: "Oh. he held on right up to the
last. That reminds me. There is a
which he speaks about being heart-
broken, the stars going out, or the
moon. 1 forget which-it may be the
sun inc that sort of thing" She went
to a wardrobe in search OF the missing
epistle.
of it," she added. "Yes"-opening it
this is dated the Sd and today the Sth.
Pretty near Isn't it? But he would not
take NO for answer, n sent this
letter."
Mary thought of one now in her own
had read and reread man times that
day:
Yes. young Crowhall was very per-
sistent. Do you know he actually pro-
posed to me again when he INC that I
was engaged to Jack. When snubbed
him he sent me this note" n took
three days ago. from which it would
appear he intended to warm up some
old broth. You Know him. Don't you
remember at Lady Grandtown's ball he
was with my brother Dick, and you
remarked that he was very nice look
ing?"
Mary Heseltine nodded. She was
watching the flames curling about the
blackened mass of correspondence that
held out so long against humiliation.
Her hands were clasped about her
knees and she was thinking.
Wouldn't BERTHE Crowhall do for
you?" asked her friend. laughingly.
She shook her head sadly. Not
now" she replied quickly.
"Oh, I was forgetting. OF course you
must tell me all about your engage
nent. dear. How selfish l ANAL this
time I have been thinking about my
self. Now into the fire with the re-
mainder Of loves Fragments" and she
tumbled the relics into the flames. CIV
ing the box a bang to clear out the
dust. THAT is over. Now. dear, tell
| me about your romance" +
There is nothing to tell, Ada. You
know I was always fond Of a joke.
There is no engagement"