Middletown transcript., 1901-06-01
Marion Hayes Luck !.
By SARA ANDERSON.

accept this as a substantial expression Of
the sympathy of your old friend, and use
it in some way to get back your eyes,"
Marion, woman-like, had good cry
when she was alone in her room. Feel
ings of mingled surprise, pleasure, and
resentment, passed rapidly through her
mind. OF course she mustn't keep the
money, everybody would talk SO; but her
heart was touched by his kindness. She
always he'd liked him so much in the old
days,-too much, she once had thought.
She would take it back She put on
her things and started at once. As she
left the elevator and waited for an answer
to her knock, she wished she had written
note instead. Jack opened the door.
"Why, Pm awfully glad to see you,"
he said.
Marion dropped into a chair "It is
ever and ever so kind of you," and her
lips would tremble, "but I can't take it.
indeed l can't" she said, holding the
check towards him.
"And why not?' he asked, with an
amused smile.
because it isn't right l know the
kindness of your heart. appreciate
your sympathy"
"Do you imagine I can't afford it?' he
interrupted. "Come! Own up"
Marion laughed nervously. Judging
from the financial condition of most
artists, should call it munifcent sum
to give away"
II will be candid with you. did in
tend to put that in the bank, to swell my
small hoard; but when I saw you and
heard about your hard luck, I changed
my mind. 1t seems very little to do for
you; I only wish it were twice the sum!
Wait" he continued, as Marion tried to
speak, '1et me have my say out. There's
too much nonsense talked and thought
about friendly relations like ours. I
don't deny I shouldn't care to do it for
most girls; no, 1 don't know another girl
l would do it for. / want you to know
that. I enjoyed our friendship in the old
times, because you were sensible and
didn't think whenever a man liked to
talk to you and take you around he was
in duty bound to fall in love with you.
1 won't ask any woman to share the
struggles and hardslips of a poor artists
life, and always thought you understood
it."
Marion calmly folded the check and
put it in her purse.
81 will take it just as you mean it, and
thank you thousand times" she said,
in. queer tone. "Now show me your
pictures"
They roamed around the studio little
while, when Marion made an excuse for
going home. As the door closed after
her, Jack clenched his fists.
81 do care for her! 1 always did! She's
the only woman in the world for me, and
always will be. I'm glad she took the
money" Marion got as far as the eleva
tor shaft, then she turned back. She
knocked at the studio door, then, not
waiting for him to open it, walked inside.
Jack was staring out the window; he
turned quickly.
81 must not take it" she said, fun
bling at her purse, not seeing for tears.
l. L.. L. Il
"See here, Marion, l do care for you,
awfully; and perhaps it is kinder, after
all, to let you know, and at least give you
a chance to say whether you couldn't
take me instead of the money, or take us
both"
Marion's tender brown eyes brimmed
over. She tried to find her handkerchief,
but she had come away without one.
Jack gently dried her tears with his own,
then they both laughed.
The check fell to the floor. Jack
stopped to pick it up.
"Will you take us?'' he said, slipping
one arm around her.
She shyly raised her eyes to his face.
'1'll take you, Jack dear, and We'll share
the struggles and hardships. o Jack"
and her arms stole around his neck. He
gathered her close to his heart while
something cleaned suspiciously in his
own eyes, under the glasses.
The check again fell to the floor.