Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-04-21
HER NEXT MOVE.

their pluinDnt,HS-
a troubled look came into her eyes as
she took up a letter from Godfrey Taylor.
A flush spread over her face.
81 thought SOL" shc said rs she finished
reading it and dropped it on the desk
1t had all come so rapidly, this new
emotion. Less than three weeks ago she
had forgotten the existence of Godfrey
Taylor. 70 be sure, she dimly recalled tho
gay times she had had with him one sum
mcr and her admiration of him because
he was an editor and could talk Familiarity
of books and dramatic events. She had
even fancied sho liked him, but he had
gone out of her life.
Suddenly she had heard from him He
had seen story of hers and had written
This had b2ep followed by other letters,
and here was the elimination:
81 have not found you to lose you. |
want you to marry me at once. Come to
Washington for the fall, enjoy all the adj
vantaScs | can give you. You can 90 into
society. | have means. You can enter
tain literary people and indulge your fond
ness for the stage, which remember, and
In January we will 60 abroad. l shall
probably disappointed to some office there. "
Her eyes glstencd.
at is what have always wanted" she
murmurcd. And Edward She stop
ped. The faithful lover at home had hard
ly entered her mind.
"Wcll, l 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 aud pushed
back the scattered papers.
II will he free to live my life in this
glorious fashion that is offered me. 1t be
longs to me. l was made for just such II
life"
She smiled triumphantly. Then she
seized the pen and directed an envelope to
little PARKWAY country town
II am tired of 1t all" she wrote on a
slip of paper.
She paused. THE truth will come
later she snid, as she hastily added,
my next move will surprise you"
Then she wrote to the other one.
you may come II you like" she said.
81 shall be glad to receive you, and per
haps'-
She left 1t here.
Edward WhCrritt entered the postoflcC
with an eager step. A glad light Crcpt
into his eyes as he saw the familiar hand.
writing, and thrill OF pleasure ran
through the big man ms he took the letter
from the post mistress His hand trCmblcd
bit, insomuch that some papers fell to
the floor, and he laughed a happy laugh
as he bent aud 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 it from him.
| The light in his eyes grew deeper, and
happy smile played about his mouth.
| He had several errands to d He must
/ visit the newsstands first There might
/ be something of hers in one of the maya
/ zines His quick eye caught her name
! and he slipped the publication into his
| pocket
Then he finished the errands and walked
rapidly toward home, his hand still CLOSED
on the letter and his mind specializing n:
TO what 1t would say. Would 1t tell Of
some new SUGGEST How proudly no hat
watched her career! Perhaps it would say
she had decided to stay another six month.
| in New York
Well, never mind. He could stand 1t
and the end would be so much nearer.
The letter felt thin. After all probably
1t was but hurried note to tell of som,
sudden pleasure she wanted to share will
him.
His heart gave bound. Anyway i
was from her; that was enough.
Once in his room he slowly broke tn,
seal
The words were so few.
MY next movo will surprise you" h
repeated
A quick fear seized his heart.
He turned the page for more, but tina
was all-not even II signature.
"Shc must have left out tho rest by mis-
take, " he said as he held the open page il
his hand but whatever tho move is
know it must be right"
His eyes travelled fondly to tho fac
, smiling down from the wall.
He rose early the next morning. l
was only just growing light, but his slee
had been broken, and he would go dow
to the early mail and see if the rest of tn
letter had not come. Surely Geraldin
would send 1t when she found it had bee
left out. He could even fancy the littl
laugh she would give when she discovere
it, and how quickly she would inclose
in another envelope and add few word
as to her carclessness!
He pictured it all in his mind as h
swung through the village street with a
eager tread.
The little office was not open. Th
morning train was not due yet. Slowl
he wandered toward the station and stoo
gazing down the track from whence HI
letter would come He stamped his feet
bit impatiently and took out his watch.
1t was coming at last!
With q roar that would seem to wake
the yet sleeping people the train drew in
The morning papers and the mail ba
were thrown out on to the platform.
The roll of papers bounded away int
the wet grass.
He sprang after them with laugh
The early morning air was exhilaratinl
He graspcd them in his hand and wave
them triumphantly at the baggage mastt
as he leaned out of the door of his car.
Then he turned. A woman stood besit
him
"I have come home" Geraldine said.
For an instant he gazed at her wit
startled eyes. Then with quick NOV
ment he gathered her into his big arm
and drew her close. Her tired head fC
, on to his strong shoulder, and the sat
pleading eyes were hidden from view. HI
hat fell UNDECIDED to the ground as l
, kissed hair and forehead again and agall
This was her next move Harriet Cary
: Cox in Housewife.
Much More Difficult.