The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1903-07-17

| am not going to turn against her
simply because she has made a mis-.
take. She has acted unwisely, but
she has not disgraced herself"
Eyes, she has disgraced herself and
the rest of us along with her. She
has married the dying son of a con
Wet. l didn't want to tell her this-I
told her"
This was like a slap in the face, and
for a moment she was bereft of the
cool dignity that had been so pro-
nounced a characteristic of her quiet
life.
If you didn't tell me before why do
you tell me now?" was her reply. She
stood back from him, r~egathering her
scattered reserve, striving to be calm.
But 1t can't be helped now, John"
Her gentle dignity reasserted itself.
Let time and the something that
brightens hopes and softens fears
gradually soothe our affliction."
She had taken up the Majors man.
ner of speech. "Mr. Taylor, | have
never intimated such a thing to you
before" she added, "but it was my
hope that she might become your
wife. There, my dear man, don't let
1t tear you So"
The giant was shaken, appearing to
be gnarled and twisted by her words,
like a tree In a fierce wind. 81 talked
to her about you," she continued,
"and 1t vas my hope-but now let us
be kind to her memory, If indeed we
are to regard her simply as a me.
mory."
Margaret" said the Major, getting
up and throwing back his leonine
head, you are enough to inspire me
with strength-you always have. But
while you may teach me to bear a
trouble, you can't influence me to turn
counter to the demands of a Just re-
sentiment. She shan t put her foot in
this house again. Jim, you can find a
more suitable woman, sir. Did you
hear what became of them after that
scoundrel married them? Who per-
formed the ceremony? Morris? He
must never put his foot in my yard
again. I'll set the dogs on him. What
became Of them, JIM"
Il didn't hear, but l think that they
must have driven to town in a buggy"
well, it really makes no difference
what became of them. Are you going,
Jim?"
Eyes, sir"
Wont you stay with us tonight?"
mo, l thank you. It's better for me
to be alone" He hesitated. "If you
want me to I'll find out tonight where
they've gone"
ooh, no, do nothing of the sort, for
I assure you that it makes no differ
ence. Let them go to the devil"
John, don't say that, please" his
wife pleaded.
But have said it. Well, If you are
determined to go, goodnight"
Goodnight" Jim strobe off into
the darkness, but halted and turned
about. Major, if l can forgive her
you ought to-" he said. you've got
common sense to help you, but COM
mon sense was never known to help a
that's in my fix"
They heard the gate open, heard
the latch click behind him as he pass
ed out into the road. Toward his lone
ly home he trod his heavy way, in the
sand, in the rank weeds, picking not
his course, stumbling, falling ono to
his knees. The air was full of the
pungent scent of the walnut, turning
yellow, and in it was a memory Of
Louise. Often had he seen her with
her apron full of nuts that had fallen
the trees under which he now
was passing. He halted and looked
about him. The moon was rising and
he saw nee sitting on a fence
close by the road side. "ls that you,
a voice called.
Eyes. Oh, it's you, is 1t, Mr.. Batts?"
yep, just about. Hoped up here