Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-06-08

tic very uuuI Tue hNlNeiHNlIIe TlIcS
took the oath McCarron. though with
them I'm spirit. stepped from the train
at his home city a civilian.
A few persons understood and ad-
mlred him for the course. so eloquent Of
moral courage, which he had adopted.
Their appreciation did not %counterbal-
ance the sneers OF many who regarded
the young nan as a coward. Brown,
proprietor OF the store. was q sensible
man. Wysteria did not pass as patriot
ism with him. Despite the clamoring
Of those who insisted that McCarron
for running away from the enemy's
bullets should be driven from town he
gave the boy his old place.
The cloud in time passed. Saner
judgment convinced most persons they
We're wrong IN branding McCarron az a
poltroon. When the company. sadly
declmated, returned from Cuba after
the war the soldiers had nothing but
good words for the man who had been
their comrade. Gradually he won back
his Old place in the affection and cs-
TEEN Of his townsmen. He had with
al two comforting remembrances-his
mother appreciated with n gratitude
that was pitlful the depth Of his sacrl-
fee and the mortgage had been lifted
from their home.
Marcia Gordon found in her erstwhue
playmate a puzzle which time did not
solve. The high spirited girl abhorred
cowardice and could not believe that
the boy who had been her companion
could be base. over and over again
she convinced herself that he was
Straightforward, brave and manly;
that he had come home because his
conscience had shown him It was the
only thing to do. And, while che hated
herself for It, a doubt always crept
into her reasoning, a doubt she could
not dispel.
The love for McCarron which had
been on the verge of disclosing itself
to her maiden soul was arrested by
the persistent distrust. 1t was like a
rosebud-frozen as It was about to I'M
fold in glorious bloom and fragrance.
1t did not decay, and it could not de-
volo9. The Icy grip checked one as it
prevented the other. The girl had adj
mirers IN plenty, for she was light
hearted and good to look upon. Yet
none made any impression, for the
steadfast heart could love but once;
the stem hold but a single rose
She knew that McCarron's love was
hers, hers alone, and that with him,
too, there never would be any one else.
They rlot frequently as friends, but
ever in his eyes was the dumb, uncon-
scious hope she dared not encourage;
in her eyes the query he could not an
swer.
She sat by the window Of her home
one afternoon in early winter watching
the first snowfall Of the season. Lit
tie drifts were forming here and there
on the dusty pavement. The boys of
the nelghborhood. radiant with health
and animal spirits, welcomed the snow
with wild rejoicing.
They were dancing in n circle on the
tracks of the electric line. Her heart
gave a little throb as McCarron APP
peared, stridlng along homeward. He
seemed to enjoy breasting the wind.
His head was up and his broad Shout
dcrs back.
A smile on his fine face. he stopped a
moment to watch the boys at their
play. The early darkness Of winter, al
ready beginning to thicken, and the
shouts Of joyous young America pre-
vented sight or sound Of a heavy car
..-.AgI fN ~rr,n aTnaauH rrnon A1rn nNaWHEF
circle.
Then the boys fed in panic, all but
one little lad, who slipped on the
smooth wet bricks and sprawled help
less across the rail. The motorman
banged the gong and twisted the brake
frantlcally, but the momentum Of the
car still carried it forward at cruel
speed.
With a sudden sick horror and yet
with n thrill Of joy, too, Marcia, strain
ing her eyes through the gloom, saw
McCarron dart from the walk into the
street, saw him brush the little figure
clear of the rails and then go down
himself beneath the rush Of the car.
She must have tainted in her chair,
for the next she remembered the room
was full Of men and McCarron, dusty,
bruised and senseless, lay On the couch
beside her. Old DR.. Glddings in tones
of professional cheerfulness was speak.
ing TO her father. Unconscious just
now, Of course, but he's not dangerous
ly hurt. A broken leg is the worst OF
his injuries. l never saw a nObler act
and I'm more than happy 1t isn't goina
to cost him his life"
The frozen rose OF love in Marcia'S
heart had burst It's ley bonds OF doubt
at McCarron's brave deed and bloomet
in splendor on the instant. She dropped
on her knees by the couch and kissed
McCarron's blood stained lips.
Quickened into life by the caress, his
eyellds fluttered, opened. He fixed {
glance of wonder, then comprehension
on the girl. This has given me you
pity, Maury, at last" he whispered.
The feeble tones expressing so mucl
Of contentment and affection and tn,
old dear name of childhood caused tho
ready tears to overflow. mot pity
Boyd" she answered, mot pity, deal
heart but lover
Druggists AID Borrowing.
New York DRUGGISTS are treatment bOr.