Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-07-30

ly, entirely, with all my strength, and
that is the reason that must give you
up. Thank you-0h, thank you-for
being honest with ne.
And wait, dear, for Prince Charm
ing. If he never finds you, you will
at least have been true to what is best
In you. In being false to that, l am
sure you would never find that wider
scope and the bigger usefulness for
which you long. Some would, in your
place, perhaps, but not you. You see
that instead Of being crusty old
bachelor, as l ought to be. am a
young idealist still-but that is all your
fault.
II am going to drop in soon after
my note reaches you, just for a quiet
goodby. l find that 1 cannot go away
without that. There is piece of york
in London that must be looked after,
and am glad to take the chance of a
sea trip. Faithfully yours,
'SPRAGUE STAUNTON."
AS the girl finished reading the let
ter, the fire, cracking noisily, threw
a spark at her feet. She watched it
slowly bore Its way into the Persian
rug, then flicker and go out. She re-
allied with a start that she had not ex-
tinguished it. Rising she swept the
hearthstOne clear of ashes and ar
ranged the fender to protect the rug.
Stepping to the glass she pinned a
stray lock of hair into its place. Then
she sat down and tried to think But
her mind seemed strangely blank.
Even the cracking of the fire annoyed
her
She could not have told whether she
had sat there minute or an hour
when the maid brought her Sprague
Staunton's card
When he came in, the room seemed to
brighten. There was sunshine about
his personality which every one felt
without quite understanding. This
evening his face was unclouded. The
girl looked at him and wondered. Was
this the man whose letter lay on her
lap?
you got my note? Is it all rightr'
he asked her. She nodded silently.
Then, with a quick change Of tone:
"Thank YOU" he said, "and now am
off on sea trip, old sea dog that am.
l can fairly smell the salt already"
you ought to have been a sailor"
she said, quickly responsive.
And so they talked of the trip, Of his
stay in London, of her plans for the
coming winter-of everything save of
the one subject that lay heavy on both
their hearts,
When he rose to go Glare rose, too,
and stood before him, her back to the
fire. AS the light struck suddenly up
on his face she saw that his eyes We're
full of tenderness. But his voice did
not break and the grip of his hand was
firm when he babe her goodby.
AS she heard his quick step ring
along the hall the room began suddenly
to swim round her. Her throat grew
dry, her heart seemed to stop beating.
In moment the heavy front door
would open and close again and
Sprague Staunton would be gone out
of her life forever.
Mastered by an emotion such as she
had never known, she stretched out her
arms blindly and called his name. She
heard the front door open. Oh, if he
should not hear! She forgot that she
could recall him by note on the NOR
row, forgot everything save that he
was going from her and that she must
not let him go.
"Sprague.' she cried desperately.
"Sprague!''
In an instant he was beside her and
had gathered her into his arms.
Il love you! Oh, how l love you
Prince Charmingw she whispered.