The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-03-06

had sat here of an evening and watched
for him! She could scarcely look back
upon any time of her life, or upon any
object now before her eyes, which was
not connected with some association of
Walter. There was the walnut tree
which he and Jack used to climb, and
there the clear, laughing brook in
which he had Taught her to steer the
little boat which he had made for her,
laden with grain, down to Jack famous
water mill, at the roots of that old will
low. Further up was the real "grist
and saw mill" which Jack had always
been 80 DESTROYS of owning, and which
everybody said would be such good
investment for one who could manage
it properly.
And then Marion, seated on the bench
in the rustic arbor, turned and looked
long and yearningly, at the old farm
house peeping from the great beeches
across the orchard. No other place on
earth could ever be home to her. And
her mother! Oh, it would be harder
still for her, whose whole life of so
years had been spent under that roof!
A sudden sound aroused Marion--a
sharp whistle as of some one calling a
dog-and saw through tear-dimmed
eyes the figure of man ln1rrying along
the pathway in the meadow. She drew
back behind the screen of honeysuckle
! The path led past the arbor, but ut
the foot of the steep bank, and she
would not be discovered in her retreat
So she thought, but moment or two
after there was sound of footsteps
ascending the bank, a rustic of the hon
eysuckle branches, and Marion saw
standing in the entrance of the arbor
The figure of tall young man, who
looked almost as much startled as her
self.
For an instant they gazed at each 9TH
er-Marion pale, and the stranger with
a flush rising to his handsome face.
Then he said as he held out his hand:
Marion, don't you know me?"
She gave him her hand in silence. It
was Walter. And suddenly with the
sight of him came the full bitterness of
her sorrow, in the consciousness that he
was lost to her forever. She was MOTH
ing to him now, and he must he MOTH
ing to her.
Il am glad to have so unexpectedly
found YOU here in this dear old spot,
he said II arrived at home only an
hour ago, and could not rest until had
seen you"
She met his eyes bent upon her with
strange earnestness, and her pale
! ri, co. mi 1,,1$ 81, MT
have spoken q word.
Marion" he said suddenly, shave
You no welcome for me? Is it possible
that you cannot forgive me?"
Forgive you?"
Eyes, for all my absurd jealousy and
pride. / have never had a happy mo-
ment since parted from you, Marion,
and have come back ut last to ask your
forgiveness, and to beg, too, for the
love which forfeited, but which can
not live without"
II do not understand you. Walter. ]
do not know why you should speak this
to me, when-when you are going to be
married"
"Who told you that of me, Marion %
ut came from Agnes, your sister,"
He smiled.
"Aggie knows my wishes. It was shs
who encouraged me to come back. Sbt
thought you would forgive me. vii
you Marion, darling?"
She had ayerted her face to hide he1
fearful eyes. but he now took both hands
and as he drew her towards him a great
tide Of JOY rushed over her, and she
could only family murmur-
ooh, Walter"
When they were both calmer she told
of the heavy grief that had fallen upon
them. They must leave their dear old
home which had passed into the hands
of strangers.
"Of strangers, Marion? Do you call
me stranger"
"You, Walter?"
He looked surprised in his turn.
'Did you not know that it is I who
have purchased the dear old farm
Did You not receive Jacks letter."
ooh, Walter, it cannot-cannot bf
true"
He took from pocketbook a paper
which he opened and placed before her
It was the mortgage which the father
had given Mr.. Harris.
"And the place is really yours now?'
she said, looking up radiantly through
sudden tears.
mot mine, but ours, darling
She was too happy to speak a wore
in answer.
"You see DEAR" Walter said, "Jacl
and talked it over the other day, and
we agreed. as he was so anxious to pur
! II,
ficient for both, that should take tn
, farm. and leave him at liberty to inves
in the mill property. It is the yer.
best thing for Jack and for his mother
as explained to her, if only she hat
received his letter. Jack is not fittet
for farmer, and could never hav'
made much of the farm as he will Ger
tainly do with the mill. He came VI
with me in order to attend the matter
Forgive me that neglected to inform
you, but left him behind in the mapl
field, talking with Aggie.'
Marion started up with glad cry
Coming down the opposite declivity o
the meadow was somebody joyousl,
waving his hand, and in two minute
, she was sobbing in her brothers arm
,, from a fullness of joy of such as sh
l had never in her life before known.
Y They fastened to the house, all tire
eager to gladden. the heart of tn
mother,
.. Jack sprang up the steps and tool
t her in his arms, while Walter ifte'
Myra, who had run to meet them il
l frantic delight.
e As Marion crossed the threshold, tn
clock rang the welcome chime.
"Seven oclock!" said the girl, softly
: and went quickly up to her own room
4 As she passed the clock, she looked u
: at it with an expression almost of awe
s "What lifetime of misery and happi
: ness in one hour she murmured.
+ 49,