The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-09-08

ON THE PAPER
stairs to the mail box. There was only
one letter, for her. and in tho familiar
handwriting.
She crept upstairs to her own room
before she opened the envelope 1t
was only short note
Il am sorry that | could not come
over last night. dear" it ran. "AIillie
Bryant, who has been visiting mother.
received telegram that her mother
had died, and we did not like to let her
go home alone. My mother promised
to send you word. but forgot l had
not time to write and catch the first
train
Il am especially sorry, as l wanted
last night TO tell you that have Sc
cured that position at last and now am
free TO ask you to become my wife.
VIII you, dear? VIII you make me
the happiest man in the world2 1
shall await your answer with impa-
tience."
She crushed the letter In her hand.
That was the girl he was telling her
about. and she had forgotten. He was
not going away with another woman;
he was doing an act Of charity, and,
in fit of pique, she had accepted
Tom
She was still sobbing when Tommy
Numbered at the door.
Says he'll be over this evening"" he
shouted. failing to gain admlttance.
"C'n 60 over and play with Jimmie
Bowers 2"
Susie called an assent, and present
ly he battered down the stairs again.
She was left alone with her thoughts.
With face drawn and pinched, she
sat down at the tiny writing desk and
tried TO compose a letter to Tom ask
ing for her release, but nothing sho
could write seemed TO suit, and the
more she sought for the sentences she
wanted the more ugly did the written
words appear They were lashes to
her conscience charging her with tenn
per and want of trust.
After awhile she gave II up and went
about her duties, wondering dumbly
what she could say TO Tom, racking
her brain for some way out of her di-
lemma.
If she only had realized In time that
Harry could clear himself of his APP
parent neglect! 1t would have been
all right had she waited, but in the
morning mail she had received Toms
letter and had answered II without
stopping to think. There was plenty
Of time for thinking now. By supper
time she came to the table, red eyed
and haggard faced.
She dressed herself carefully for the
evening. Perhaps, she thought with
sudden hope, she might be able TO tell
Tom how it had all happened, and she
might be able 10 get him 10 release
her. Then, again, she thought that per-
haps he had already told Harry. They
had been rivals for long time. 1t
was not like Tom to refrain from
gloatlng over his successor to the de-
feated sutton.
BY the time the bell rang she had
worked herself into a nervous hys-
terra. Slowly. with trembling knees,
she descended the stairway and en-
tered the parlor The light was dim.
and almost before she was aware of it
mans arms were about her and she
was struggling to free herself from
his embrace
''Mayn't kiss you. now that we are
engaged? laughed Harry as he re
leased her
Are weT' she asked stupidity.
II have your word for It," he cried,
producing a letter. Susie ran into the
hall and held IT TO the light. 1t was
the note she had written that morn
ing. Tom had asked for 'just single
word" Here was the Yes" she had
scrubbed on the paper.
She ran into the dining room. where
Tommy was studying his lessons.
Tommy" she asked breathlessly,
"who did you take that note to this
morningT
Harry, of course. That's where /
always take EN-"
But the envelope was addressed to
Tom Borrower" she reminded.