Smyrna times., 1904-03-23

Of mine at college. He has won his
way up from the ranks, has my here
and he is worthy of any woman liv n.
even the one my imagination has Great
ed for him. He has been abroad, and
I've fitted him up with some of the eX
periences l had myself while reporting
on New York paper. But he is DOOM
ed to lose her. The Turks say, you
know, He that has many horses hath
no wives I've endowed him with |
money and graces of body and mind,
but l cannot give him the girl he loves. |
And she, Miss Broadhurst, if 1 can |
picture her as l see her, should make !
me famous. l thought one so sweet |
and charming could not exist until l /
saw you, and you are her counterpart"
1t was no idle compliment, no silly at
tempt at Irritation. Swiftly the girl
searched Cartright's mind and found
him sincere. Thank you, Mr.. Cart
right" she said simply, yet she colored
with pleasure.
ut may seem queer" he continued,
"but there is a feeling, too strong to be
overcome, that l must part them.
would give all l have could they but
marry, yet they cannot 1t is what 1
call my literary conscience. Often l
know that my stories would sell better
were l to change in some cases even a
single paragraph, but l never do it,
His companion nodded. 81 know the
feeling. When l was a little girl my
mother gave me the task of sweeping
the parlor did not like it, and at first
1 did it hurriedly, leaving unswept the
places 1 thought would not be discOv-
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,
vet whenever am tempted to shirk or
do anything which is not right l think
4. must sweep behind the door"
Her 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
word of the ring nor the man who had
placed it upon her finger, and Cart
right respected the fife delicacy Of her
nature.
Everything must come to an end,
and this Incompatible day was draw
| ing to a close. With a start of sur
prise the girl noted the slanting sun.
Il had no idea it was so late" she said.
How the time has flown"
Cartright helped her to her feet,
every nerve thrilling at the touch Of
her little hand.
He held it between his own, and bent
impetuously toward her. Need we
say goodbye" he 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. 1T must be good
by" she said, and then, Il am to be
married in September"
He dropped her hand. And so am
l." he replied glOOmily. Il suppose
after the 18th of September must not
even think Of you any more"
"Wednesday, the 18th? Why, that is
my wedding day"
"And mine"
Miss Broadhurst smiled as she turn
ed away. "Mr. Cartright, there is the
plot for your story"
Need it be writtenT' he asked pas
sionately, pleadingly. That story il
so sad; the saddest have ever
known"
The sweet lips were tremulOus, but
the eyes were brave and steady now
ut must be written" she said softly
"Your heroine was true and sweet
Help her to sweep behind the door, tt
remain true to herself and her prom
Use. And, oh, believe me, though the!
parted, those two in the story, she al
ways remembered him, sd" breath
lessly, was sorry, perhaps, that-tha
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 salt
much, yet honor forbade. She CAV
him a rose which he always kept. Ant
this is the end of the story"
The girl unpinned a rose at he
breast. She kissed it and handed
: to Cartright, and went her way unsee
ingly, for her eyes were filled wit
l tears She turned once and looke
: back. He stood upon the spot wher
they had parted. The rose he held
his lips.