Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-04-23

|
she said. Anyway YOU gained his
warmest admiration" She opened her
shopping bag and drew out two let
tiers. One she let fall in her lap, the
other she opened. Here" she said
lis the last letter he wrote before he
was taken away from the school.
will read you an extract from H." She
spread out the sheet "I cannot tell
you how kind and thoughtful jim War
wick continues to be. l couldn't sleep
last night and he sat up with me. He
quite made ME forget the pain. And
to think of such fine, husky fellow
bOthering over wretched runt like
me! He's the only man l have ever
met that I thought was good enough
fo' You, clio and l can't make it any
stronger than that"
| Her voice was clear and steady as
she read this and her cheeks did not
flush.
| Warwick started h"+ .-'',- - .".'s".
.s he usually was he could think Of
nothing to say.
The girl quickly refolded the letter.
II have wanted to tell you how CRATE
full was" she slowly said, but this
seems to be the first chance have had.
We have met number Of times at
social gatherings, but you have seemed
to avoid me. Perhaps this was only
fancy on my part. Anyway, you gave
me no chance to speak to you about
Arthur" Warwick tried to say some
thing, but she stopped him again. 81
had letter from Arthur yesterday
that prompted me to ceme here" She
lifted the letter from her lap and held
it lovingly. Then she laid it down
again.
where is Arthur the young man
softly asked.
"In the Hawaiian Islands with a
trusty man. 1t seems to be the only
climate that will keep him alive. He
is on one of the smaller islands, high
up above the sea level. He can never
leave there"
Warwick nodded in profound SYM
pathy.
May write to him?" he asked.
"Wait," she said, until have quite
finished" She drew long breath.
LET me leave this subject for mo-
ment," she said. II have something
else to tell you. You know, think,
that lothian Garth has managed my
estate for many years--ever since my
fathers death left me an orphan. He
feels that he is too old to continue to
bear the growing responsibility. He
has asked me to find some one else
to take the burden from his hands.
Will your firm accept it. Mr.. War
wick?"
He was fairly staggered.
why, of course we will dus he fJ Rlug yts
prised me so' He laughed suddenly.
II beg your pardon again." he said.
"but can you assure me that l am
quite awake?"
She gently smiled.
| II can" she said. "And now l must
ask you TO Forgive me for bringing
the sordid element into what was in
tended to be purely a sentimental call
have done it to show you that have
confidence in your integrity and your
ability. have done it to show that
am truly grateful for your kindness to
my sick brother"
| "Whatever your motive" murmured
Warwick, II accept the trust and thank
you"
"The transfer Of the papers will be
made at any time you prefer" said the
girl. '"The business may necessitate
several calls at my home. Will you
attend to this, or would you prefer to
have Mr.. Hammond take 1t in charger"
81 will come" he quickly said.
She smiled at his sudden vehemence.
MERELY business calls" he muir.
INJURED.
She looked Mt him quizzically.
perhaps you will call this good
afternoons work." she said.
"a great afternoons work, Miss
Ormsby."
"Then it might appear to follow that
you might reward yourself with two
| weeks vacation"
He shook his head.
1.-THE vacation will have to watt" he
said.
"That's bad. But, really, 1t seems to
| me as If I might have something to
say about it. If my business man
shows signs of Overwork 1t is to my
interest to Immediately order him to
take rest. want bright and healthy
as we'll as honest men to serve. Do
you understand, Mr.. Warwick"
II understand that you are very kind
and very thoughtful, Miss Ofmsby,
and that I am under great obligations
to you" He drew long breath. do
you know" he said, "that felt just
a little discouraged before you came
in. The way upward suddenly. seemed
long and the road SO rough. And
and I wanted to climb so fast"
"And why have You wished to climb
so fast, Mr.. WARWICK
He looked away and his face was
troubled
II can't tell you that, Miss Ormsby,"
he said, TAT least, not now. Some day,
perhaps" He suddenly paused as
IL amazed at his own temerity.
She watched him with a steady gaze.
Regard me as your friend, Mr.. War
wick" she said, in her earnest way.
ANY confidence you may repose in me
will be held sacred, as you know"
She hesitated. 81 have not quite done"
she added. and her voice sank a little.
II had a letter from Arthur yesterday.
Here 1t is" She lifted the envelope
from her lap and drew out the inclo-
sure. Then she shifted her chair lit.
tie, so the light was at her back and
her face in shadow. Slowly she spread
out the sheet and very slowly she read
the written words.
isis, I'm going to talk to you again
about Jim Warwick. l suppose being
alone out here-for Gresham doesn't
count-with so much sea and sky to
look ut. and the harsh cries of the sea.
birds in your ears. and tn" surf for
ever breaking on the sands, fellow
can't help getting ideas in his head,
and nursing them and turning them