Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-12-01

aloud. Il was undecided before Julla
came; now, | an sure OF myself. 1t Is
clear that | can never live with her.
nor allow her to help me; and better
live here alone forever than marry the
senator, or any other man simply for
money. There, | will settle that mat
ter at once
Flinging her work aside she crossed
TO the desk and wrote rapidly Their
she ran down the stairs and dropped
the note into letter box just across
the street. When she returned she
waltzed gaily around the room. She
had acquired the habit of talking to
herself, for at time it was relief to
hear even her own voice break the
silence.
"Good-by to the senator forever
she sang. Farewell to his money and
all that it can buy! Why, l believe
feel better already, | believe it was
that money that was making me blue.
Now | will work hard; for | like work
and the life here-all but Sundays and
holidays they drag
Thanksgiving day had just passed.
Clare had spent it alone, trying to
think of a long list of reasons for be
ing thankful. Some way the list was
rather short Her mind had persist
ed in yeering off to a certain young
man with boyish face and laughing
eyes-a friend of long ago. She kept
wondering why he had gone away 50
suddenly. At times she had thought
that his eyes told a story that would
have been worth listening to; but he
had gone without word. Since she
had been living alone she had thought
of him often.
The senator, and all the advantages
he could offer, being definitely re-
fused, Clare grew brighter, and the
tired look left her face. She often
sang light-hcartedly as the days flew
on toward Christmas. All invitations
were refused, and on Christmas morn
ing she arose as usual and began to
paint. Soon she threw down her
brush in despair.
It's no use; l can't to-day" she
said, mournfully. q do really hate
holidays Everything will so ali
right tomorrow, but for to-day-I
must give it up"
To pass the time away she began to
look through some of her fathers old
books; but her mind still wandered
off to the laughing blue eyes. She re-
membcred, with start, that it was
just one year since she had seen him.
There had been company-she had
slipped away to the library for a
stolen glimpse Of a book she was
reading. He had followed and they
had a happy half hour together. Then
some one called, and when at last she
returned the room was empty She
had never seen him since. What was
it she had been reading? Oh, yes,
Vanity Fair!' She looked through
the books, and when she found it
touched it tenderly. They had dis
cussed it together! Someway the
laughing blue eyes seemed very near
her now.
IF he had said only one word" she
murmured.
Suddenly something white and
DllNN zen NUN lllt ItOA " llti zap
She caught her breath as she saw that
it was a letter with an unbrOken seal
She knew the WTiting-and her hands
trembled. Ia a flash she saw it all
He had left it in the book she had
been reading, thinking she would find
it at once. And she had not opened
the book since! AS she read tears
! ,r-
of a boyish soul, revealing his love
and asking her to wait. When she
/ reached the end she bowed her heal
and wept tears of joy.
q would rather have one letter like
this" she sobbed, than a thousand
senators, with all their money! | do
not think | dislike holidays SO much,
! after ALL"
Christmas evening was spent in
writing page after page OF eXplana-
tions. There were so many that the
| letter was much over weight.
The last days of the year slipped
rapidly by, and no reply came. Clare
began to look anxious. All sorts of
fears beset her; she could not account
for his silence. Finally came the last
! day Of the year-ahd still no reply.
Another holiday tomorrow"
! Clare groaned. How | hate them!"
She retired early and cried herself tc
sleep, dreaming all night of deaths,
sickness, murders, fires and many
horrible, impossible things. A vigor-
Gus knocking awoke her early in the
morning.
Telegram, ma ami" said a voice
Clare dressed as hastily as possible, a
terrible fear at her heart. Her dreams
! must have meant trouble of some
! Lind and che felt that Il had cnnna,