Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-04-02

sand times dearer and more charming
to Arch Trevlyn, possessed her. Blu
she held out her hands, and said few
shy words of welcome.
Arch sat down beside her, and the
conversation drifted into recollections
Of their own individual history. They
spoke to each other with the freedom
of very old friends. forgetful Of the fact
that this was almost the very first con-
versation they had ever had together.
After while. Arch said:
Miss Harrison, do you remember
when you first saw me?"
| She looked at him moment, and hes.
itated before she answered.
II may be mistaken. Mr.. Trevlyn. II
SO. excuse me: but think saw you
first, years and years ago. in flower
store"
"You are correct; and on that occa-
sion your generous kindness made me
very happy. thought 1t would make
my mother happy. also. I ran all the
way home. lest the roses might wilt
before she saw them"
He stopped and gazed into the fire.
WAS she pleased with them?"
"She was dead. We put them in her
coffin. They were buried with her."
Margle laid her hand lightly on his.
II am SO sorry for you! /, too. have
buried my mother"
After a little silence, Arch went on.
1.-THE next time you saw me was when
you gave me these" He took out his
pocketbooh. and displayed to her. fold
ed In white paper, cluster OF faded
blue-bells. do you remember them?"
"I think I do. You were knocked
down by the pole of the carriage?"
YES. And the next time? Do you
remember the next timer"
I do"
~ thought SO. want to thank you.
now, for your generous forbearance. I
want to tell you how your keeping my
secret made different being OF me.
II you had betrayed me to Justice,
might have been now an inmate OF n
prison cell. Margie Harrison. your ST.
lence saved me! Do me the justice to
credit my assertion. when tell you that
I did not enter my grandfather's house
because cared for the plunder should
obtain. / had taken vow to be re-
venged on him for his cruelty to my
parents, and Sharp, the man who was
with NE, represented to me that there
was no surer way OF accomplishing my
purpose than by taking away the treas
ures that he priced. For that only I
became house-breaker. deserved
punishment. do not seek to pallIate
my guilt, but I thank you again for
saving mel"
81 could not do otherwise than remain
silent. When / would have spoken
your name, something kept mo from
doing 1t. think I remembered always
the pltifrl face OF the little street
sweeper. and could not bear to bring
him any more suffering"
"Since those days. Miss Harrison, ]
have met you frequently-always by nc.
cident-but tonight It is no accident
l came here on purpose. For what. dc
you think"
II do not know-how should II"
II have come here to tell you what
l lonSed TO tel, you years ago! what was
no less true then than 1t is now; wha,
was true Of me when was a street.
sweeper. wha. has been true OF me ever
since. and what will be true of me
through time and eternityw
'Marsie. love you! have loved yor
since tho first moment I saw you
There has never been shade Of waver
Ing: have been true to you through
all. My first love will be my last. You
influence has kept me from the lower
depths of SIM the thought OF you ha,
been my salvation from ruin. Margio
my darling! I love you! love your
"And yet You kept silent ali thes,
years! oh. Archerw
II could not do differently. You wer,
as far above me rs the evening star 4
above the earth 1t shines upon! It woult
have been base presumption in tn,
poor saloon-vaiter. or tho dry good.
clerk, to have Gspired to the hand o
one like you. And although I lovet
you so. I should never have spoken, ha,
not fate raised mo to the position OF
fortune equal 10 your own. and givei
me the means OF offering you n hom
worthy OF you. But am waiting TO
my answer. Give II to me, Margie."
Her shy eyes met his, and he read hi
answer in their clear depths. But h
was too exacting to be satisfied thus
DO you love me. Margie? I want 4
hear the words from your lips. Speak
darling. They are for my ear alone
and you need not blush to utter them.
Il do love you Archer. believe
have loved you ever since the first"
And you will be mine? All m,
ownw
She gave him her hands. He drew
the head, with its soft, bright hair, t
his breast and kissed the sweet lip
again and again. almost failing to real
ize the blessed reality of his happiness
1t was late that night before Archie
Trevlyn left his betrothed bride, an,
took his way to the village hotel. Blu
he was too happy, too full of sweet con
tent, to heed the lapse of time. At las
the longing Of his life was satisfied. HI
had heard her say that she loved him
And Margie sat and listened to tn
sound of his retreating footsteps, an
then went up to her chamber to pas
the night, wakeful. too content to b
willing to lose tho time In sleep, and 8
the dawn Of morning found her witt
open eyes.
| CHAPTER XIII.
@ISFSM was aars very gay y'ons one