The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

One Last Appeal One day as she was returning from her work this Miss Main met fact to face . man who stopped abruptly and cried out: ''Violetl'
 MT. Miller.'' she replied, MT Miller," They had a long talk together. walking down the almost deserted pavements of Great Marlborough street.
 we must not meet again. she said, "and you must promise me that you will keep my secret"
 He made last appeal to her, and then he realizied that she did not love him and that she did love James Drummond. We'll He had never been madly in love with this girl. but he had liked to think of her as sitting at the head of his dinner table.
 You must tell me about my friends be- fore we part she said finally.
 He told her all he knew-and among other things that Drummond wassill, how seriously he did not know, but he would find out and let her know. He had heard of the Drummond family only through Lady North-had not seen them since their return from Scotland.
 He would meet her at the same, place the next night and tell her the news she 90 longed to hear-and yet feared to hear.
 Flowers for MT. Drummond
 It was rheumatic fever that was sup posed to be the matter with Drummond, Miller told her When she reached her lodgings she went to her landlady, that kind and comfortable Mrs. Roberts. and asked her if she knew anything about rheumatic fever.
 Most middle-aged women are ex- tremely proud of their knowledge Of diseases and like to talk about them. Mrs. Roberts, wondering at the extreme anxiety of the girl, delivered rambling lecture on rheumatic fever, it's causes. symptoms and results.
 It was not "a very encouraging lec- ture. Violet went out and bought some flowers. Then she said to Tommy-her landlady's son of 10 years or so:
 Tommy. want you to come into my room and get sheet of paper. Now write across the page These flowers are sent to MT. Drummond.' He wrote it slowly in his sprawling hand. "To MT Drummond by one to whom he has shown great kindness
 She was sitting on the sofa behind him as she dictated these words and Tommy had his head bent over the paper. When she became silent he looked around and saw that she had fallen back senseless lying as one dead with face of ghastly palor.
 She's deadl' yelled the boy rushing out of the room.
 Still Mystery
 The household came-Violet was not dead No such good fortune had befal- len her. The flowers were not sent that night
 The next night Violet met Miller as per appointment. He told her that he had made inquiries and that Drummond was not likely to live.
 We must buy some f1owers," she said Violet" returned Miller. why should you and not get a cab and drive to the Drummond house. go in and see how he is for ourselves? Why not end all ths mystery?"
 NO, mo- said Violet, we will get the flowers and we will drive to the neigh borhood of the house. Then you can take them in. I will write a note. And I must go away from England again, she continued.
 "I will go to America once more. I have not money enough to go-but you will lend me hundred pounds?"
 Violet, thousand if you wish it. But really, Violet. I do not know whether I am right or not in becoming a party to all this secrecy
 Second Sight
 It was night, and while Miller took the flowers into the house, Violet walked up and down underneath the trees. Her walk was along the top of Green lane and, behold, before her stretched the broad valley, filled with moonlight and the gray mists.
 An old refrain of Ossian. which she had heard in the Highlands came back to her: Far away-in the beautiful meadows-in the house of my home. Many a time I went out from it into this val ley. o, you beautiful valleyII greet you a thousand times. Farewell-farewell."
 Mrs. Warrener. when Miller was an- nounced. came into the room looking very pale and tired. She was dressed in deep mourning-that was for vio- let.
 When she saw the young man stand ing before her she was, for moment or two deeply moved.
 'I-I-suppose I may see him?" asked Miller.
 "Yes. although the delirium has been pretty bad today"
 When they reached the sick room she said. James. here is a basket of flow CTS for you and this bit of paper" She was startled by a quick cry.
 Sarah! Sarah!" cried the sick man, "she is alive-violet is alive-I know only myself knows"
 One Kiss Before the End
 Mrs. Warrener tried to sooth him. but he called out again: q say she is alive. Send for her. Go to her Sarah. Tell her we are glad she Is alive"
 70, Mir Miller" sobbed Amy, T can see that you know where she Is. Bring her to uncle"
 T don't see why you should think I know where she is?" stammered Mil- Ter
 But the deception was no longer one that could be kept up. Violet was t4 AxK A.