Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-01-31
MAR "
AN SWER

leg ansl his complexion, as well as his
nerves, repinded him of the fever
which had brought him near to
deaths door. worst of all was the
news from NeHerton.
Mary Dudley-his Maryland inner
tied & 10000 from her uncle Harold,
and-and, if that letter of the rattle
tongue gossip, Miss Brayshaw, to his
mother was to be believed, Mary was
on the high road to a title. Sir Tarver
Brown was very little other than
baronet; but the attraction of a
''ladyship" could hardly help tempt
ing even such a girl as sweet Mary
Dudley.
The younger member of the firm
resolved Dick with sympathy, but no
enthusiasm.
You don't look fit for an office
desk, Mr.. Jerram-oh, / beg your
pardon. Lieut.. Jerram, isn't it, now?''
ne said, with a sneering laugh.
II was offered a commission, but ]
did not feel that 1 could accept it.
sir" said Dick. Il want to take up
my work again-for various reasons"
Mr.. Ernest Carrington's eyebrows
rose and subsidized.
I'm very sorry, Mr.. Jerram,' he
said, ''but just at present there is no
vacancy. We will, of course, give you
the first chancez-the very first chance
that soccurs.'s
do you really mean ftp" he asked,
family.
my dear fellow, you really are not
fit. foE Office work just yet. Take
holiday after your trying labors-
your noble and-er-patriotic self
sacrifice. i dare say, in few months.
sat the most, we can squeeze you in
somewhere, though l fear even then
we cannot offer you the same salary
you received in 1892
With an effort, Dick pulled himself
together, and stood up, like the disci-
plined soldier he had become.
your words are final, sir?" he
y asked.
provisional, Jerram-only provi-
sional. But we can't afford to cheer
you with hopes that may not come
to fruition. Anything we can do in
the way of recommendations, it will
give us the utmost pleasure to do.
Good heavens! 1t is the least we
could do!"
Dick bowed his head. The smile
''Quite so," he said. 'It- is some
thing to be grateful for that you are
so willing to do the least possible.
Good morning"
And then Dick found himself in ST.
Paul's churchyard, and conscious that
athee last straw had been piled upon
his head.
Mary as good as lost to him-more
T..
his situation flied up, his health
broken, and no one to whom he could
honorably Hook for help in his time
of trouble.
He found comfort in the recollec-
ton that his mothers own poor lit
tie income was sufficient for her we'll
measured requirements.
LAS for me-
He shrugged his shoulders and tot
tered down Ludgate hill. On his way
he noticed a jewelers. window, with
watches and chains and pins and
rings of price beneath his eyes-espe-
scially rings. And the rings reminded
him OF what it hurt him most to re,
member.
He looked at his left hand with the
plain but solid gold circlet, set with
tiny diamond, and the words, in
visible to his eyes, but pressing his
finger: "Forever and forever!
3 That was Mary's voucher to hin
for her lifelong love.
At length he moved again. eyes
that's what I'll do he murmured
Poor girl! One can't blame her
She shall marry him with free
conscience, at all events"
Then once again he whispered:
las for me-"
At the Kings Arms inn of heller
ton, that evening. Dick took pen ant
paper and wrote the letter to Mar,
which was to accompany the re
turned ring. 1t was short and to tn
point:
Dear Mary: Somehow, though 1 woui
like to keep this,.I can't do it, and so
bring u back to you; and You mus int thin
] mean to be nasty by making it come t
you On your birthday. quite understan,
that things are changed between US. Wish
Ing YOU all the happiness life can give 20,
believe me, sincerely yours always.
q RICHARD JERRAM.''
mo drivei in that, l think h
said, with aspang of pride when h
had read it and folded it up. Til
ring was in a little box apd the lei
ter was NOW wrapped round the boz
The whole was addressed to Mis-
Mary Dudley, 2 Deyonshire road.
In the darkness he tottered gu
Devonshire road way. He gazed a
the house and the lighted, window i
Mary's electromagnetic and gazed ii
he felt silly. And then he tottere
back and went to bed.
He lay restlessly, now wishing wilt