The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-04-23

property, and Harry and Bess and l
always thought that our school money
came out of this. But lately [ have
doubted it," Then abruptly: "Did
papa leave anything-above his debts,
L mean2"
"No."
And-was there enough to pay his
debts2"
"No."
81 suspected it. Now Felix" speak.
ing firmly and letting her hand rest
caIessingly on his, /" you must be open
with me. L am a woman now, and
want to be a hel instead of a burden.
Harry and Bess will graduate next
month and they feel just as L do.
Papa's debts must be paid, and it will
be so much easier for the four of us,
working together, than for you ~alone.n'
Then, hesitatingly:
is it very much?"
"No," smiling.
And you will let us help you?"
Gladly. You are already doing
that-more than you imagine" Then
l~aughingly, am very proud of my
children, Margaret. Not many bach
elors have brought up such a promis-
ing trio"
"Boshl You are trying to oscar
the subject. l want your opinion OF
my taking the Ridge school. Bess can
turn housekeepor."
Well, seriously, then, 1 think you
would better stick to your drawing
Your talent lies in that direction, ant
the Ridge school means hard work ant
poor wages. AS to the. debts, the,
are all paid and we have a small sun
in the bank.
"FelixI'
yes. The last was paid six month
ago. Did you think L could arrang
for a publication with anything lik
, that hanging over us? Now If tn
Maine woods do their duty l shall com
l back a new man and be ready for tn
fall campaign"
"The fall-what?"
. Campaign, my DEAR" he SAID
!, coolly, enjoying her amazement. "Yo
y did not know that my name was up fo
Senator. 1t has been kept secret fo
!, certain reasons, but to-day L had int
nation that they were ready to g
ahead, and with every prospect {
success"
Butt did not know that you too
I any interest in pohtics2" she said, he
= voice trembling with eagerness an
a wonder.
"Nor have I-much," be replied
gravely. "I never dreamed of such
thing until l was approached on th
Il subject. L thought my ambition ws
dead, but it seems L was mistaken.
u felt almost frightened at the tumu
y the possibility awoke in me. And
. pleases you, too, Margaret?" he aske
after q moments silence.
y More than / can tell" she replied
. with a glad light in her eyes. hay
= felt worried about you lately.
seemed 81 hard that after ali thes
= years there could be no future for yo
but the musty office. 1t seems almos
like the ending of n of your Store,
q 1t is rather late, but you are not yer
0 old"
y Not very old! The words rang i
~ his ears long after he had gone to h
. room. He had almost come to regar
> himself as an old man, but, after al
i, he was not very old. lie was scarcel
!, in his prime. A long future was b,
7 fore him-and it was very bright. PEI
haps-
From the open window the sky pr,
sented a picture of rare beauty an
brilliancy in contrast with the dar
II groupings of hills and forests. Million
@ of stars looked down, and away in lh
e northeast could be traced the path {
q the Pcrseids. Somewhere under TIL
line of shooting meteors he imagine
was a country mansion, and in tn
. mansion a fair girl with deep, tende
, eyes.
This was one of the dreams he ha
4 left behind. But the past few week
has been restoring much which he ha
e thought was lost, and this came u
with the rest. Ii there was to be a fl
ture for him this should form a par
4 and a deep flood of Thanksgiving welle
g up from his heart as his eyes gaze
into the majesty of the night.
Thinking of the sweet possibilltie
that parting on the bridge grew YER
near. He could feel the soft touch O
his arm and hear the quiet volce as
said:
Felix, your work is at hOlne-an
/ we are very young. When it is RICH
you may come for me. l will be wait
ing"
And during all these fifteen year
she had kept her word. Even now h
had a letter in his pocket on which tn,
INK was scarcely dry. They had los
their youth, but the summer an,
autumn would be richer for the waiting
1t was not until he heard the mil
bell strike three that he left the win
dow. But ven then it was not II
sleep. His nerves were not ready TO
that. Over and he reviewed the pas
and made plans for the future, an
when the first summons of the factor,
bell brought him down to breakfast h,
told Margaret that he had decided I,
give in his resignation during the day
81 think L can do 1T and still be abb,
TO keep the wolf from the door,n h,
said, with a smile.
And l think so, too" she returned