The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-03-18
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and charming e0diK fset exist until /
saw you, and you are her counterpart"
1t was noidle 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. frtstt r4f
''It may seem queer" he continued,
''but there is feeling, too strong to be
overcome, that / must part them /
would give all 1 have could they but
marry, yet they cannot 1t is what l
call my literary conscience. Often l
know that my stories would sell better
were / to change in some cases even a
single paragraph, but never do it."
His companion nodded. Il 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
did it hurriedly, leaving unswept the
places thought would not be discov-
cred. When mother came to inspect
the room her tone Of mingled reproof
and surprise filed me with shame
when. she said, And my Ruth did not
sweep behind the door! That was all,
yet whenever an tempted to shirk or
do anything which is not right | think
I. 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 a
word of the ring nor the man who had
placed it 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
ingto a closea with "a start of sur
prise the girl noted the slanting sun.
81 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 tonch Of
her little hand.
He held it between his own, and bent
impetuously toward her. Need we
say goodby?" ne 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. ut 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. 81 suppose
after the 10Th 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 written?' he asked pas
sionately, pleadingly. .That story is
SO sad; the saddest l 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, to
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-that
they were not to be together, nor even
see each other again"
"And he-the man in the story-was
more than sorry. He would have said
much, yet honor forbade. She gave
him rose which he always kept. And
this is the end of the story"
The girl unpinned a rose at her
breast. She kissed it and handed it
to Cartright, and went her way unsee-
ingly, for her eyes were filled with
tears. She turned once and looked
back. He stood upon the spot where
they had parted.--The rose he held to
his lips.