The Western news., 1903-10-07

and heart and mind a great reSOlu- l.
ton. He would succor her himself
1t was bold thought and he shrunk
abashed as he contemplated the great
honor to which he aspired. But he
never faltered. He went to the city
again-to the great surprise of his
sister, and sought out the address Of
Viola Markham. He was shocked at
the squalor of the third rate hotel.
lie did not attempt to approach the
divinity herself, but learned from the
clerk the name of her physician. To
him Paul went and stated that some
of Miss Markham's friends had raised
purse to send her to the country
and had arranged with his sister,
Mrs. Bingham. at Podgers Corners, to
keep her as long as might be neces-
sary. He left ticket for Podgers
Corners and sum of money with the
physician and asked him to send the
patient, explaining that the friends
preferred to remain unknown.
Then Paul went home and arranged
it with his sister, explaining that he
had accidentally met a person desir-
ing to send an invalid to the country
and he had agreed for Mrs. Bingham
to take her for weekly stipend
of SIS.
So it happened that Viola Mark
ham, pale, thin and haggard from
disease and dissipation. came to
Podgers Corners, wondering who the
''angel' could be, but exceedingly
glad for "any port in storm"
Paul met her with a carriage, all in
a futter and, while cognizant of the
great difference between this hollow
eyed. anaemic creature and the lady
of his dreams, attributed it all to her
illness. Week after week Paul hand
ed his sister the board money for the
actress, telling her it was sent him
from New York, and week after week
the invalid improved. The roundness
came back to her face and her emaci-
ated body and the color began to play
again in the wan checks. She never
had known life like that hofore-so
quiet. so peaceful, so restful. Paul
revelcd in her presence and the
power of his own ideality invested
her with all the attributes of the
lady of his dreams. He taught her
many ways to enjoy the country and
she told him many wonderful stories
of stagcland
One day when she felt nearly we'll
enough to return to her work she
pressed him to know from whence
came the funds for her outing. He
evaded her and, being a transparent
simpleton. and she ultra worldly
wise, she guessed the truth and mar
veled greatly. She had had many adj
mirers not at all 10th to pay well for
her smiles, but the motives of this
supplemented country lad, who had
asked nothing, presumed nothing,
mystified her. Curious to know, she
charged him with the truth and
sought the reason.
With flaming cheeks he suffered
forth an evasion and, being caught in
a lie, told her in honest. manly fash
ion the story of his heart of hearts.
1t was a new story to her and he was
a new type. From the hot-hcuse life
of sordidness she had known to the
rugged honesty and Self-sa r"ificing
ideality of this simple farmer was far
reach When he had finished he added
in a manly fashion:
81 know | amt fit mate for you,
Miss Markham, but if you would let
me care for you always it would be
my only chance of happiness in the
world"
She turned very pale and grave.
you do not realize what my life
has been-what the stage life is" she
said.
II do not care,' he said eagerly, "if
you can give it up"
She gazed long and thoughtfully
over the peaceful meadows to the
woody hills among which ran the
sparkling creek she knew so well. She
drew in her lungs fill of the crisp
air laden with the scent of new-mown
hay. She looked into the clear gray
eyes, so full of admiration and awe
and then thought of the sonalid, ill
smelling hotels, the stutfy dressing
rooms, the paints and powder and
pads. the glarish lights. the feverish
excitement. the coarse iests, the leer-
ing faces, the feverish pleasures from
cocktails to headaches, and great
desire came over her to stay there,
where it was all so peaceful but she
must be honest with this honest man.
'But you must know that my life
has not been as these country girls"
she said.
"1 only know that you are good and
beautiful" he burst in. "If did not
believe that should die
Then she knew that to disabuse his
mind would be to rob him of his own
dreams She pondered for long
time; then smiling family into his
eager face, said:
eff you want me just as I am, take
me-"
Then a great JOY filed Paul's breast
and great wonder filled his mind.
Later on great excitement filled
Podgers Corners, for Paul Comstock
had "been and gone and married an