Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-29
vice-to them she detailed her fathers

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plans.
Eva remained in the big lonely
house, keeping with her the two boys,
8 and 10, and letting Arthur go, as pro-
posed, to school.
But she was not lonely, as she had
feared. Her next-door neighborS pre-
vented that.
Come in and read to me for an hour
or two, now and then, my dear" Mrs.
Crindle had said.
And, when the girl had come, she
would not let her go. Or, when the
snow was on the ground. the doctor
would call for her to take her for 4
ride, and in the evening they would
come to her or make her come to them.
What should 1 have done but for
you:' she said one day to Mrs. Grin
die. You have been like an own dear
mother to me-"
And Mrs. Crindle listened, half in
pleasure, half in pain.
Perhaps" she thought, Il might
have been her mother had not Clay
already selected for me a daughter"
Clay called himself brother to the
lonely, orphaned girl. He wrote Mar
jorie long accounts of her-how he
hoped one day they would be friends.
Yet, when he knew that day was about
to dawn, he shrank back.
The knowledge came with the aSl-
nouncement from Marjorie that she
was coming home sooner than she had
hoped, and In the early May would
pay visit to his mother.
In May! And April was half gone.
The snow had long melted, but he and
Eva still had their frequent rides.
He had an engagement with Eva on
the afternoon that he received the let
ter. AS they were driving along be-
meath the shadow Of the elm trees, he
drew it. from his pocket.
Eva" he said, you have been my
friend SO long that l am going to be-
speak your friendship for some one
very dear to me. This letter is from
my future wife. Will you read it?'
A great wave Of color surged to her
face; her very heart seemed to stop its
beating as she stretched out one little.
icy hand to take it from him.
Silently she read it through, then
folded and held it out for him to take
again.
Il am very glad for you she said
III quiet, measured tone.
Then their eyes met, and each read
down, down into the others soul.
God help us BOTH" said the man.
And he turned the horses heads
homeward
Three weeks later Miss Markham
arrived. She was a tall, queenIy wom-
an of somewhat majestic stature and a
charm of manner which attracted all
who came within it's scope.
NO wonder that he loved her."
thought Eva, as they met; "and-and
if his heart did turn to me for lit
tie minute, she soon will win it back
again.
But the human heart Is a strange
VI =
ham watched her lover with strange
penetration.
He urged upon Marjorie, as her stay
was drawing to an end, to consent to
their speedy marriage.
She listened in silence, then looked
up into the pale, excited face, with a
little laugh.
Don't be foolish, Clay" she said. 81
have wanted to tell you, ever since 1
came down, that thought it very fool
ish in us both to cling to a sentiment
time has worn out. You see, 1 have
been away SO much, SO long separated
from you''-there was a little choke in
her voice, but his dull ear did not no.
tice it-"that l don't feel quite the
same; and-I think I've guessed your
secret, too, Clay, and so it makes the
telling easier"
A great light came into his face, but
she turned away as though it hurt her,
and for an instant a heavy anguish
crept into her brave eyes.
You have guessed my secret?" he
repeated after her. You no longer
love me?"
IF loved, could 1 give you up, do
you think?" she answered. mo, no,
Clay! I'll 60 back to the old, blind
father who needs me; but now and
then when need little rest, you and
Eva will let me come to you, will you
not?"
Heaven bless you!" he said, and,
raising her hand, he pressed his lips
with fervept passion upon it.
She smiled. 1t was the first time his
lips had touched her with such fire.
Don't say anything till l am gone"
she whispered. 1T may seem strange
to her"
And, man-like, he never guessed that
a deeper reason lay benea th-never
guessed that her own wound was as
yet too deep to see her rival win the
happiness she had lost.-New York
Daily News.
How She Managed 1t.
, They were seated in the parlor, and
thera WAS q hitch in the conversation