Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1905-11-25


crowned with success and honor, the
uppermost thought in his mind was of
Helen Ashton. 1t was not only upper
most, but all-pervading. Sweet as
were the anticipations of his parents
pride and joy over his accomplish
ments, even these were secondary to
the welcome he expected to receive
from his boyhood sweetheart
To be sure, no formal engagement
existed between them, but it had been
tacitIy understood when he went fortn
into the world that when he attained
a sufficient measure of success ne
would return and claim her for his
own bride.
The struggle had been fierce and
consuming Success had not descend
ed upon him like a gentle dove. 1t
never does in real life. He had
wrested it from an unwilling world
by desperate energy, self-abnegating
persistence tirelesS persistence: With
no backing of money or influence the
young engineer had found it very hard
to get a foot-hold in the slippery path
to achievement.
1t had seemed at first that he never
would be given an opportunity to
show what he could do. But with
iron determination he had forced him.
self to be thorough with the incense
quential things he was set to do and
to wait patiently the opportunity he
resolutely believed would come to
him. Nor was a moment wasted.
Every leisure hour was devoted to
perfecting himself in all the branches
of his profession.
So when the opportunity came he
nd oh fn
avail himself of it. His performances
had startled the engineering world
and his resources and mastery of prin-
cipies surprised the older engineers.
Then, of course, opportunities crowded
upon him and he rose rapidly, until
at last he saw an assured career be-
fore him and felt his feet upon the
rocks of safety.
Then he turned back to the old
town and the friends of his boyhood
Then did he feel that he could go
back to Helen and lay his heart and
his achievements at her feet. Then
did he permit himself to go back and
hear the old father say, well done,'
and to see the light of pride beam in
his mothers eyes.
Now, all this had taken much time
Ten years had gone by since he left,
a lad of 20, to do battle with the
world. He had not taken time from
his strenuous work to so much as
visit the old home. Indeed, he had no
desire to do so until he could take
with him the laurel wreath. He had
correspondent with Helen, but not
very regularly, and had kept out of
his letters all the tender sentiment he
felt because he felt that she must
come to him only as the crown of sue
cess. Nor did he feel justified in pay
ing court to her until he had proven
himself worthy. Now he fastened to
her with the consciousness of his de-
serts and eager for his bliss.
But the absorbed young man had
forgotten that the years had brought
their changes and their experiences
to other people as well as to him
What. then, was his surprise and dis
may to learn before he had fairly ar
rived at the home town the universal
gossip that Helen Ashton was about
to become the bride of Herbert Mel
man, the heir to the Nieman millions
At first he was full of unreasonins
anger and rushed of post haste tc
accuse her of fickleness and reproach
her for broken faith. But she receiv
ed him with such evident cordially
and pleasure and her clear eyes look