Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-12-27
A HAPPY ENDING

"Well, I'm glad that some one has
bcught Judge Hnrmon's old place at
last said John Saunders, as he fin
ishcd his cup OF tea.
Ills sister looked up. "Hetty spoke
Of il The other day. but did not know
IL the iqimor was true. Who is the pur.
chaser? DO you known
Somebody from the city. They say
he's rich, and Will spend his summers
here. IL will make quite a difference
in the village when those shutters are
taken down. lt seems the Judge is
going 10 remain in Bermuda perman-
emily, the climate agrees so well with
him. Wen, must be off to the store
If / wish TO get back before dark" and
away John went whistling out Of the
door ana down the road.
His sister busted herself clearing
away the supper table and washing
the dishes, and when her work was
ended sat down on the chair in the ivy
covered porch to read the latest maya
zine, but its contents did not interest
her. and her thoughts were busy with
the past
Cynthia Saunders was an old maid.
She was tall, somewhat angular and
not at all good-loolng but there was
something very attractive in her coun-
tenance. the goodness shining
through" as one of her neighbors eX-
pressed it, which made her the friend
of every one she came in contact with,
and the idol Of the village school,
where she had labOred faithfully so
many years.
Cynthia had had her romance, an OK
pcrience which had saddened her
whole life. and as she sat thinking of
the past her mind wandered back 20
that summer day twelve years before
twelve years that very day. It occurred
To her then-when Frank Hendrick had
parted with her at the gate. She could
see him now as he strobe down the
road in anger.
Il was only lovers quarrel a tTifie,
but both were obstinate. and as n re-
suit the estrangement had become per-
mancnt a few weeks after that event
full evening she had heard the remark
4 from some gossip in the village street
that Frank Hendricks was going away.
lie had disposed of his business and
would leave in few days for the city.
/ At last the day came when she heard
OF his departure. and after one out
burst Of grief. Cynthia had made up
her mind to Danish him from her
thoughts and live her life without him
Years had gone. by She had been
too busy with her school and home
work 10 be very unhappy, but She
could not forget, and the news OF the
sale OF the Judges house had opened
the wound in her heart afrcsh How
often had Frank said to her that some
day lac would buy the old place, the
handsOmest in Blairsyllle-some day
when he had become rich-and how
happy they would be then.
Often she had thought that she hated
him for his desertion, his cruelty to
her. but at that moment she aclSnowl-
edged the truth. and not to herself
alQne-"I love him still' lnadvertent-
~ She spoke The words aloud
"rhen YOU win forgive me, Cynthia"
said a voice. she looked up. Frank
Hcndricks stood before her. older. with
hair slightly gray, she conld see in the
gathering twilight, but Enthusiastically
Frank
one moment She hesitated then
threw herself into her lovers arms
How could you bc so cruel not TO
let me hear word from You in al
these years.
"But there must be some mistake. /
wrote YOU many times. twice even be.
fore | left Blairsville, until your silence
forced me TO believe that you no long.
er cared TO hear from me-"
81 never received q letter. Frank
Some one has treated us most cruelty"