The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-04-24
It was Very grave.

that is ALL"
They walked on awhile in silence.
Then she said:
You have not told mo all, Felix.
Something has been troubling you all
these years. 1 have felt it ever since
was old enough to observe. You
nave good salary, and make as much
more by your magazine articles, and
yet you never indulge yourself III any
thing. Mammals talk used to make me
think that papa had left considerable
property, and Harry and Bess and l
always thought that our school money
came out of this. But lately l have
doubted it," Then abruptly: "Did
papa leave anything-above his debts,
| mean?"
"No."
And-was there enough to pay his
debts?"
emo"
"I suspected it. Now Felix" speak
ing firmly and letting her hand rest
caressingly on his, " you must be open
with me. 1 am woman now, and
want to be a. help instead of burden.
Harry and ,Bcss will graduate next
month and they feel just as 1 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.''
Then, hesitatlngly:
" Is it very much?"
"No," smiling.
" And you will let us help your"
Gladly. You are already doing
that-more than you imaglne.' Then
laughingly, " 1 am very proud of my
children, Margaret. Not many bach
elors have brought up such promis-
ing trio"
Boshl You are trying to escape
the subject. l want your opinion of
my N.Y., taking the Ridge school. Bcss can
Well, seriously, then, 1 think you
would better stick to your drawing.
Your talent lies in that direction, and
the Ridge school means hard work and
poor wages. As to the debts, thew
are all paid and we havo a small sun,
in the bank.
FeliXW
Yes. The last was paid six months
ago. Did you think l could arrange
for jollilication with anything like
that hanging over US? Now If the
Maine woods do their duty l shall como
back a new man and be ready for the
fall campaign"
"The fall-what2n
Campaign, my DEAR" he said
coolly, enjoying her amazement. "You
did not know that my name was up for
Senator. 1t has been kept secret fol
certain reasons, but to-day had init
nation that they were ready to gt
ahead, and with every prospect OF
succcss.'
But did not know that you took
any interest in polItlcs?" she SAID, hel
voice trembling with eagerness and
wonder.
"Nor have I-much,' he replied
gravely. Il never dreamed of such 9
thing until l was appl cached on the
subject. l thought my ambition was
dead, but it seems 1 was mistaken.
felt almost frightened at the tumul
the possibility awoke in me. And i
pleascs you, too, Margaret?" he asked
after a moments silence.
More than can TELL" she replied
with glad light in her eyes. {" have
felt worried about you lately. L
seemed so hard that after ali thes,
years there could be no future for yo,
but the musty office. 1t seems almost
like the ending of one of your stories
II is rather late, but you are not yer,
Old"
Not very old The words rang il
his cars long after he had gone to hi.
room. lie had almost come to REGARD
himself as an old man, but, after all
he was not very old. lie was scarcel,
in his prime. A long future was be-
tore him-and it was very bright. Per
haps-
From the open window the sky pre-
scnted a picture of rare beauty and
brilliancy in contrast with the dark
| groupings of hills and forests. Millions
Of stars looked down, and away in The
northeast could be traced the path of
the Pcrseids. Somewhere under the
line of shooting meteors he imagined
was country mansion, and in the
mansion fair girl with deep, tender
eyes.
This was one of the dreams he had
left behind. But the past few weeks
has been restoring much which he had
thought was lost, and this came up
with the rest. If there was to be a fu-
ture for him this should form part,
and a deep flood of Thanksgiving welled
up from his heart as his eyes gazed
into the majesty of the night.
Thinking Of the sweet possibilities
that parting on the bridge grow very
near. He could feel the soft touch on
his arm and hear the quiet voice rs it
said:
Felix, your work is at homeland
we are very young. When it is right
you may come for me. l will be wait
ing" " "''''
And during all these fifteen years
she had kept her word. Even now he
mad letter in his pocket on which the
INK was scarcely dry. They had lost
their youth, but the summer and
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 even then it was not to
sleep. His nerves were not ready for