The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1905-09-22
Heart
by MARY II. PARKS,
10 Hoseehold LedFer.l =

Come away! Come away, Natalie,'
pleaded Hester, balancing herself on
her tiny pointed heels, and huttering
her azure draperies like a wind-blOWn
bluejay. 4 hear the stage horn You
don't want q china heart You would
break it as you do the others" she
added, with a wicked laugh
Natalie held the little heart-shaped
tray between her eyes and the light
ut is excellent china, and beauti-
fully enameIed. I never saw better
picture OF the fall but suppose 1
can't have it, for the last cent Of my
allowance was gone long ago. 1t is
hOrrid to be 50 WretChedly poor.
Dear me! If you really want it,
you have only to drop a hint to your
numerous admirers They will rise to
the bait like hungry trout suggested
Hester, laughing mischievousiy as
they turned away
Natalie shrugged her shoulders not
dreaming that one Of her numerous ad-
miers had heard every word. He
stood looking after her with open
mouth. Was the pretty lady, his
Hearts Delight, so very poor then2
He had always thought her rich, she
wore such beautiful clothes But one
might have plenty to eat and wear
ana not mucn money Billy huS@s
That was his own case
He tiptOed up to the counter and
asked the price Of the little tray.
Two dollars replied the smiling
saIesgirl-
Billy fairly staggered out Of the
store No wonder the pretty lady
could not buy it Then he sat down
and took account Of stock
There were three cents and never
did pennies look 50 small Out OF the
tangIe that crammed his pockets he
extracted three marbles and fish
hook that seemed commercially avail
able Could one small boy earn the
required balance in a few weeks
One small boy would certainly try.
During the long, hot days that FOL
lowed the pennies accumulated slow
IL. Onion rows are long and time is
heeting; and the value set on a small
boys time is deplOrably low. Billy
worked cheerfuIly, but discourage
ment overlook him at times as IL does
al great souls. Then he would trOt
down TO take another look at the
china heart, and incidentally TO bask
in the light Of the salesgirl's smile
She had a wonderfully winnig smile
and Billy had long ago told her his
secret, That was the reason she kept
the china heart hidden in an Indian
moccasin until she saw Billy coming,
otherwise some one else might have
bought it and groken the china heart,
BiIIy's and all
She did not approve Of the pretty
lady with her cOquettish airs, but she
never told Billy SO, for she did most
heartily approve Of him.
He came into the store one night
with despair in his face
They're beginning to go She'll be
gOin' away any day. I can't make 1t,
he said, huskily-
To him the COmings and gOings OF
the summer bOarders were as aimless
as the fittings Of the birds and but
terfiies, and quite as uncertain
II wouldn't be discouraged, said
the saIesgfrl, brightly It's getting sc
late in the season that we have had
a mark down since you were here
last"
How much?' chirped Billy, with
returning hope
I can let you have it for a dollar
and a half now"
..Jeminee! I've got one forty-five!'
cried Billy, fumbling wildly in his
pockets.
Il think I could take one fOrty-dve
for it." said the saIesgirI, thoughtful
".
She took it from the showcase and
wrapped it daintiIy with narrow
white ribbon, while Billy fished pen
MES and nickels from his pockets
Then as he hurried from the store
holding his dearly bought treasure
carefully in both hands, she took 81
cents from her own slender purse anC
dropped il into the cash drawer
When Billy, bankrupt in fortune bu
very rich in love, came in sight Of TIT
big hotel, he awOke TO the fact he wa
clad in garments not too whole ant
clean, and that his face and hand
bore unmistakable signs OF his wreS
tie with a stubborn soil
Il ought to "a had my Sunda!
cIo'es on he murmured distressful
Iy, but I gotta go on now Sh
might go tonight
Hearts Delight was sitting on tn
long veranda, surrounded by he
faithful courtiers. In the shadow, be
hind the little group, sat yOun
man with averted face and gloom
eyes. He had come TO spend his on
poor little week Of vacation near Ma
taIie. but had scarcely had speec
with her
Tomorrow he must 90 back, and
well, the years that lay before hiT
seemed very dark-lOng weary year
Of bootless toll. All his thought a
his labor had been for her; althOug
he had never been very hopeful; an
now the last shred Of hope was gon'
By the time Billy reached the foo
OF the tall veranda he was apOplect
with embarrassment Breathing Stel
tOrOusly, he began the long ascen
painfully conscious Of the sudden 81
ence above, and the amused eye
that were scanning his worn an
scanty garments
He laid the little packet in tn
lady's lap and would have turned an
fed but his limbs seemed to have 10
the power OF lOcOmOtiOn-
Natalie swiftly united the strin
while Billy watched her adOringly- =
was not afraid Of her but Of Il
strange people with the mOckiT
eyes
ooh. my dear little china heart
she gurgIed- "And I thought It w
sold It was never there But WI
sent it, Billy Boy2"
7 bought it, said Billy, swelIiI
with pride.
Why, Billy. Silly Boyl Where
the world did you get 50 much mo-
ey21 she cooed tenderiy. putting b