Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-12-28
HER NEXT MOVE.

~ ERALDINE FOWLER sorted
| r her mail somewhat listlessly.
~ Some of the envelopes held reJec-
tions. She could tell them by their
plumpness. 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, 1t 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.
81 thought So" she said as she fin
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
ChOtlOh. LCSo tnuh thlCC WCChb d6o
she had forgotten the existence Of God
frey Taylor. To be sure, she dimly 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 to
Washington for the fall, enjoy all the adj
vantages | 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 in
January we will go abroad. l shall prob
ably be appointed to some office there.
Her eyes gllstened.
at is what have always wanted"
she murmured. "And Edward" She
stopped. The faithful lover at home
had hardly entered her mind.
"Well, could not go back there any
way and be content" she sighed. my
life here has spoiled all that. He must
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 this
glorious fashion that is offered me. 1t
belongs to me. was made for Just
such life."
She smiled triumphantly. Then she
seized the pen and directed an envelope
to little far-away country town.
81 am tired of 1t ALL" she wrote on a
slip of paper.
She paused. 1.-THE truth will come
later" she said, as she hastily added.
"My next move will surprise you"
Then she wrote to the other one.
"You may come IL you like" she said;
81 shall be glad to see you, and per-
haps-"
She left 1t here.
Edward Wherrltt entered the post
office with an eager step. A glad light
crept into his eyes as he saw the IA
miliar handwriting, and thrill of
pleasure ran through the man as he
took the letter from the postmistress.
His hand trembled bit, Insomuch that
some papers fell to the floor, and he
laughed happy laugh as he bent and
picked them up.
Then he slipped them all into his
pocket and turned away.
1t was long time since he had heard
from her. His hand closed tightly upon
the letter in his pocket. 1t was there
now. fresh from her hand. He would
not hasten to read 1t. 1t was there
his. No power on earth could take II
from him.
The light In his eyes grew deeper, and
happy smile played about his mouth.
He had several errands to do. He
must visit the news stand first There
might be something Of hers In one OF
the magazines. His quick eye caught
her name, and he slipped the publica.
zion Into his pocket
Then he finished the errands and
walked rapidly toward home, his hand
still closed on the letter, and his mind
specializing as to what 1t would say
Would It tell of some new success
How proudly he had watched her ca
reer! Perhaps 1t would say she had de
cided to stay another six months II
New York.
Wen, never mind. He could stand II
and the end would be SO much nearer.
| The letter felt thin. After all. prob
MCt