The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1904-03-19


IF the citizens through the heat of the
night before, died away in the early
morning and the bIa2ing sun Ind TIC
field TO itself. There were few oeopla
on the streets. The long list of fatal
tiles of the day before had carried \
warning that none dared to ignore. In
the upper part of the city the shaded
and curtained homes seemed to tisowsd
in the fierce glow. There was 40 sign
of life about them.
One house, however, was an exeep.
ton. On the upper step with his bael.
against porch post, sat a young man.
He was well dressed young man kith
a resolute face and keen dark eyes. His
complexion was dark, the molexlon
of a man who had seen much outdoor
exposure, but just now 1t seemed TO be
overspread with a sickly pallor His
hat was lying on the step by his side,
The young man was Ill. He had ar
rived in the city early that morning
after a long and tiresome railway jour
ney. He had overworked himself be-
fore ne started. He had lost al desire
for sleep and he could not eat. Ther4
was fever In his blood when he reached
the city. The heat had added to his
malady. But the purpose he had in
view outweighed all physical diseom-
forts. That purpose must be accom-
plished. Then, whatever the outcome.
he could rest
Richard Burton had ceme all the way
from Mexico to ask Agnes Harper to
be his wife. Whei. ne went away he
knew that she was the one woman in all
the d, and his lonely life across thu
Rio Grande had added to this feeling.
He had worked very hard ia clearing up
the mining property in which he had
ACQUIRED an interest, for hard work and
consequent Succession he never doubt
ed himself-seemed to bring Agnes
nearer to him. And then when The task
was quite finished and mining super
intendent was coming down to divida
the burden of labor and responsibility
feeling OF Inconsistencies fell upon him,
And it was Agnes he hungered to see,
This f,o..ng grew stronger and strong
er. 1t robbed him of sleep and nourish-
ment. And when ii could no longer be
borne, on the very day that Brltton,
the mining superintendent, arrived, he
started on the northward journey. Brit
ton tried to hold him few days.
you're not well man." he said
you've got a touch of the fever. Sta
here few days and let me try to braco
you up"
But Richard was deaf to this entreaty
He was coming North as fast as steam
would bring him; he was going 10 ask
Agnes Harper to be his wife. That was
. task that could not be postponed for
any mere physical weakness. His mind
must be at rest. Whether it was yes.
whether 1t was no, he must ask the mo-
mentous question.
As for the prospect of his success, he
kept that firmly in the background
When he allowed himself to think OF II
for fieeting moment he felt that the
chances were all against him. She was
rich, petted, the idol of an indulgen'
mcIhar. the center of circle OF admir-
Ing friends. He was at the very begin
ming of his career, and still struggling
for a foothold on solid ground They
were the best of friends, they had been
playmates before college life drew him
away, but no word of affection had
passed between them. Why should she
stoop to him? Yet he must ask her.
Richard Burton carried out his resolu
ton. He had called and found her
home. She was as beautiful as his
dreams had painted her She had greet
ed him cordially a | had called hin.
Richard. Her mother was visiting
friends in Boston. She herself mai just
returned from house party on the lak2
shore. And how was Richard faring
She had heard something about his
efforts and his bright prospects OF sue
cess, and she was very glad. But Rich
ard Burton was not there to talk about
himself. Slowly but steadily nc ap'
preached his subject. He was at losa
for words now and then, and he made
many pauses, but finally she understood
the purpose that had brought him all
these weary miles.
She was silent little while. And
then she told him gently and kindly
that she felt greatly honored by his pro-
posal, and that she was very fond OF
him. but not, she was quite sure, in the
way he desired. She had never thought
of him as anything but dear friend.
No, she could give him no hope. She
paused, but Richard was silent.
And you came all the way from
Mexico to ask me that?" she said. and
looked at him curiously.
Come" she added, stay here and
dine with me and we will recall ths
dear old days"
Then he arose and thanked her. HI
must 70 back to his hotel. He would
try to call again.
Eyes. do" said Agnes cordially, and
gave him her slim hand. Then sh-
looked at him sharply. I'm afraid yoa
are not we'll" she said.