Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-12

Van Arnum beamed upon her In 3ovial
admiration, and planted himself In a solid
chair.
II weigh no. he observed. placidly mot
fat, but real hard meat. I tell you, It
pays to be good If a chap doesn't get killed
In the act. I'm as hearty q buck, Edith.
Ten months ago my dear, you wouldn't
have known me- though"
What happened, DAMP" asked Edith,
alphabetically. To her II made little differ
ence what had occurred or what ever
might happen now. She felt stony and
weary OF all things present and to come.
Van Arnum settled himself comfortably
and spoke with briskness.
'Iou'n want to hear all about me, OF
course he began. First. I'll say that L
came right to you from the station after
dropping In for a few minutes talk with
father. | heard lot to our advantage In
that quarter hour He chuckled. so l
didn't dress up; fact Is. this Is my best suit
don't know how III get along in fine toys
again, but l suppose I'll have to wear EN-.
l guessed you'd be waiting for the man,
not his clothes, eh?'
Edith nodded, trying to smile.
well, my dear. when 1 left you-gra-
cious! 1 can hardly remember 1t. Let's
see. Oh. yes One too many cocktails to
brace me for the momentous question. You
wouldn't stand for It, Yes; 1t comes to me.
l got brace from you that made me
what l am today.
"All the way to fathers office l kept
saying over and over. Five years. five
years. I'll stick. I'll show her I've Kept
my word. Edith. and you see me the man
you wanted.
Father said when / told him, Try rail-
roading. boy. Start at the bottom and
work up. I'll get a Job for you and ne
grabbed his hat and me, and down we went
to the superintendent's.
First | knew, l was a brakeman yelling
out stations on way train, then l moved
up, peg by peg-freman on a local; this
va c VOC Of oil I frpG a
express, and. to cut 1t short, I've been an
engineer for over two years. a mile-a-min-
ute man who knows his business.
do l know the business? Do l? 1t was
a passion with me. l studied everything,
from oil cans to men, from bolts to boilers.
Never mind the rough life, the discomforts,
the. associations. Never mind the things
I've seen. the life I've led. It's been
straight. And what do / get for II? You
and the vice presidency of the X. P. & c.,
at $4,000 year Father told me so not an
hour ago. There!"
He leaned back. exultant, his features
aglow. strong man, his countenance sud
denly stern and triumphant, his rough hand
slapping his stout leg.
I'm glad for you, DAN"
"A-ah," The keen eyes melted. Edith,
he said. there's something / suppose
ought to tell you. This scratch'-he touch
ed his brow-'a broken rail, old 9S in the
ditch twenty people hurt. and when they
picked me up l wasn't pretty. No one
goes.
Luckily, I was slowing down. We were
nearing katesville, a small town, but we
stopped there for water Close call for me,
Edith. l guess | looked dead enough. They
took me up to the Braytons, along with
some of the others Nearest house, and
nice kind people. Little Rose Brdyton
pulled me through. Yes, sir, that child in
sisted that / was ALPHABETICALLY forced the
doctors to examine me again.
After that she owned me. | her pa
tient. her engineer. With her own soft
fingers she did all the bandaging. all the
me.
Zone afternoon her arm was under my
head. lifting it, and l opened my eyes and
looked into her big gray ones, and Ion.
Lord, poor little Rose. and poor me! l
was so weak-that was it-but every nerve
in my body thrilled up to the look in her
eyes. 1t was like a shock, pain and
JOY. l was so feeble so gra teful: 1t was
so unexpected, you know"
The dainty society woman drew nearer to
him. Il know" she said softly.
"Of course, 1 had to tell her. Edith. about
you and me- l mean. and she knelt by the
Just your words a minute ago. 1t took me
back I felt | must tell you"
He was gazing a the ceiling, strange
light in his SCARED face. Unconsciously he
sighed and his lips moved.
DAN
Eth? Oh yes-1 was thinking"
go back to her
WHAT"
I'VE both will be happier, and she
Rose
But you, Edith after these years of
waiting?" His voice was thick with emo
ton. He bent forward
Dan, dear Dan, /, too have looked In
mans eyes, and l. know | never can look
SO in yours, dear friend nor you in mine
Where is our written promise?'
in my pocket"
7 Will me-
Yes, Dan.
Together they tore the paper In half and
crumpIed It in their hands, both breathing
quickly.
The man arose slowly I'm going over
to see my aunt Edith he said in nat
ural voice. I'm call you tonight and
thank you for seeing and understanding.
Not tonight please, Dan
OH He smiled In her joyous face ana
went out.
Edith ran to the telephone In the library
He will be at the conservatory, she
whispered. Yes, l can catch him there:
A few anxious moments of suspense, then
low spoken message. Her cheeks were
roses as she hung up the receiver.
He will come" she murmured. and
when he goes-ah! 1t will not be like our
last goodbye" =.
Old Miss Van Arnum never 1s weary OF
relating how her stalwart nephew preferred
the pretty western girl TO Edith Carmayne.