The San Francisco call., 1904-03-06
PRE- SCRIPTION
FOR LOVE
By ri. J. Phillips

had felt the doctors verdict before it
was uttered.
1.-The very thingi" replied the other.
enthusiastically. Wen be back to
Waterville Sunday; get away for the
south Monday-nOt a minute later, for
every day counts now. Keep out of
doors down there. Get job herdlng
cattle OF driving stage. Work hard, live
in tent and sleep on the ground.
Why. it'll be only vacation for you"
So Captain Stewart went back TO
quarters, his decree of Punishment
hanging over him. He had no fear, for
he felt the doctor spoke truly; a year
beneath the balmy southern skies
would cure him. The affair of the lungs
did not bother: but the affair of the
heart! That was another story.
There was a girl-''there always is
Stewart told himself grimly, as the
train bore him northward next day,
and he smiled cynically at his own posi-
ton. From every standpoint it's the
best thing possible for me that I'm go
ing. / suppose it's human nature to be
contrary, though, and no exile ever felt
worse over leaving home than 1 do
Delightful are the vagaries of love.
the leveler Stewart, who had a
mighty pride, had fallen hopelessly in
love with Marjorie Madison, heiress of
millions and courted assiduously by
crafty fortune hunters, young and old.
Stewart loved her not for her money,
but in spite of it. Marjorie became sin
gularly interested in the clear-eyed
young lawyer with his wealth of quiet
humor.
Now. to be in love, even when too
much money on one side and too much
pride on the other cffer no obstacles,
is a sufficiently uncertain and heart
trying business. Something within him
dragged the unwilling Stewart to the
Madison home about once in three
weeks. Being unable to forget the bar
rier between them, Stewart devoured
the girl with his eyes, and came away
after his glimpse of paradise, cursing
himself for a fool. He was different
sort of caller than most, Marjorie dis
covered, and as an antidote to the hum
ger Of Stewards glances she talked ar
rant nonsense to him. IF she were
only poor" Stewart groaned in secret
daily. After each visit he decided to
avoid Marjorie and strangle the temp
tation. ever growing stronger, to speak
the words of love which rushed to his
lips.
Callahan appeared on the scene three
weeks before the Kentucky encamp-
ment. Callahan had curly blonde hair,
almost as much money as Marjorie's
father and limitless audacity. He was
the Junior member of Northern Mich
igan lumber firm and came to Water
Vile as manager Of a branch office.
He straightway paid court to Miss
Madison in a fashion that bid fair to
distance all rivals. He was constantly
at her side. Stewart still made his
periodical visits, and between him and
the blonde Callahan grew up a deep
antipathy. Marjorie watched both and
smiled. Which she favored no one
could discover. Stewart went to Ken
lucky with his pride, rejoicing that it
was not to be humbled-nay, smothered
beneath the Madison millions, but his
heart was heavy as lead. Callahan was
certainly making progress.
Alone to New Mexico" the car
wheels clicked increasingly in Stewards
ears as the troop-t train plunged north
ward. It's all off with me now, if
ever had a chance he unused bitterly
'I guess out of sight, out of mind,
applies to-day as much as ever it did.
She'll marry Callahan inside of SIX
months. But it's just as well; no one
will say that John Stewart is a fortune
hunter; which was strictly true,
though of little assistance in stilling
the outcry Of an aching heart.