Evening journal., 1904-08-06

me ranlous. nougnt one so sweet
and charming could not exist until I
saw You. AID you are her counterpart"
It was no idle compliment, no silly at
tempt at Irritation Swiftly the girl
searched Cartrights mind and found
him sincere. THANK you, Mr. Cart
right" she said simply, yet she colored
with pleasure
1T may seem queer" he continued.
''but there is feeling. too strong TO be
overcome. that / must part them. l
would give all ] have could they but
marry. yet they cannot. 1t Is what l
cali my literary conscience. Often l
know that my stories would sell better
We're l 10 change in some cases even a
single paragraph, but ! never do IT,
His companion nodded. Il know the
feeling. When I was a little girl my
mother gave me the task Of sweeping
the parlor. I did not like 1t, and at first
] did ii hurriedly. leaYng unswept the
places / thought wo$l not be dlscov
cred. when mother came to inspect
the room her tone OF mingled reproof
and surprise filled me with shame
when she said And my Ruth did not
sweep behind the door, That was all,
yet whenever / am tempted to sbirk or
do anything which is not right l think
1 must sweep behind the door
Tor naive simplicity delighted Cart
right, and he led her TO talk Of her
home town. her friends and her daily
occupations. Yet there was never a
word of the ring nor the man who had
placed il upon her finger, and Cart
right respected the fine delicacy Of her
nature.
Everything must come to an end,
and this incompatible day was draw
ing to close With a start Of sur
prise the girl noted the slantlng sun.
- had no idea it was so late" she said.
SHow the time has flown
Cartright helped her to her feet
every nerve thrilling at the touch Of
her little hand
I lie held il between his own, and bent
impemously toward her. Need we
say goodbye lac said. MAY not call
tonightT
She raised her eyes to his. They
were both glad and troubled at his
words, yet within their depths was an
appeal he could not mistake-an APP
peal to his chivalry ct must be good
/ by" she said. and then, Il am TO be
married in September
lie dropped her hand. "And so am
l." he replied gloomily 81 suppose
after the 18th Of September l must not
even think of you any more
"Wednesday, the i2th2 Why, that is
my wedding day
"And NINE
Miss Broadhurst smiled as she turn
cd away. "Alr. Cartright, there is the
plot for your story"
"Need It be wrttenw he asked pas.
sionately, pleadingly. "rhat story is
80 sad: the saddest have ever
known"
The sweet lips were tremulous, but
the eyes were brave and steady now
1T must be written" she said softly
"Your heroine was true and sweet
Help her TO sweep behind the door &c
remain true TO herself and her prom
Use. And. OH believe me, though they
: parted those two In the story, she al
ways remembered him, and' breath
lessly, "was sorry, perhaps that-tho
they were not to be together nor ever
see each other again"
"And he-the man In the story-wa
more than sorry He would have sai'
, much. yet honor forbade She gave
him a rose which he always kept. An,
= this is the end Of the story
The girl unpinned a rose at hel
breast. She kissed IL and handed il
to Cartright. and went her way unsee
ingly, for her eyes were filed will
= tears She turned once and looked
back. lie stood upon the spot where
they had parted. The rose he held t'
his lips.