Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-12-30
HER NEXT MOVE.

~ EIALDlNE FOW LEh SoTtcu
[ y her mail somewhat listlessly.
~ Some of the envelopes held rejec-
itlons. She could tell them by their
iplumpness. There seemed to be an un-
usual number this morning.
There were one or two acceptances.
She smiled as she drew the checks
from their envelopes and laid them
carefully away. 1t had paid, after all,
her coming to New York. She had
gained her experience and broadened
her outlook. Yet, perhaps, it had made
her restless as well.
She certainly had been, since Godfrey
Taylor crossed her path.
A troubled look came into her eyes as
she took up his letter and read 1t.
A flush spread over her face.
II thought So" she said as she I'm
ished reading and dropped 1t on the
desk. Then, with an impulsive move
ment, she leaned forward and buried
her head in her hands.
1t had all come so rapidly, this new
emotion. Less than three weeks ago
she had forgotten the existence of God
frey Taylor. To be sure, she d1mly re-
called the gay times she had had with
him one summer, and her admiration
of him because he was an editor, and
could talk Familiarity of books and dra-
matte events. She had even fancied
she liked him, but he had gone out OF
her life.
Suddenly she had heard from him.
He had seen a story of hers and had
written. This had been followed by
other letters, and here was the culmi-
nation:
| have not found you to lose you.
want you to marry me at once. Come tc
| Washington for the fall, enjoy all the ad
yantages can give you. You can go into
society," have means-you can entertain
literary people and indulge your fondness
for the stage, which | remember, and II
January we will go abroad. l shall prob
ably be appointed to some office there.
Her eyes glistened.
at is what | have always Wanted
she murmured. "And Edward-' She
stopped. The faithful lover at home
had hardly entered her mind.
"Weil, | could not go back there an!
way and be content" she sighed. IN.
life here has spoiled all that. He mus
wake from his dream sooner or later
He told me to be free; will be free"
She arose from her chair and pushed
back the scattered papers.
81 will be free to live my life in thi
glorious fashion that Is offered me.
belongs to me. was made for JUS
such life"
She smiled triumphantly. Then sh
seized the pen and directed an envelop
to a little far-away country town.
81 am tired of 1t ALL" she wrote on
slip of paper
She paused. "The truth will com
later" she said, as she hastily added
my next move will surprise you"
I Then she wrote to the other one.
! "You may come if you like" She sait
! 81 shall be glad to see you, and pc
: haps-"
She left it here.
y
Edward Wherritt entered the pos
: office with an eager step. A glad ligl
3 crept into his eyes as he saw the f
6 miliar handwriting, and a thrill
: pleasure ran through the man as
4 took the letter from the postmistres
9 His hand trembled bit, insomuch TIL
8 some papers fell to the floor, and
4 laughed happy laugh as he bent al
8 picked them up.
q Then he slipped them all into b
3 pocket and turned away.
q 1t was long time since he had hea
8 from her. His hand closed tightly up'
9 the letter In his pocket. 1t was the
. now, fresh from her hand. He wou
not hasten to read 1t. 1t was there
his. No power on earth could take
from him.
The light in his eyes grew deeper, Al
q happy smile played about his mout
he had several errands to do.