The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1906-02-23
into her reasoning, a doubt she could
-aAlsa>al

into her reasoning, a doubt she coule
not dispel.
The love for McCarron which mac
| been on the verge of disclosing ltseil
| to her maiden soul was arrested o!
! the persistent distrust. 1t was like
| rosebud-frozen as 1t was about TO un'
fold in glorious bloom and fragrance
| 1t did not decay, and 1t could not de
yelop. The icy grip checked n as II
prevented the other. The girl had al.
mirers in plenty, for she was ligh'
hearted and good to look upon. 1e'
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 met frequently as friends, but
ever in his eye 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 neighborhood, radiant with health
and animal spirits, welcomed b snow
with wild rejoicing.
They were dancing in a circle on the
tracks of the electric line. Her heart
gave a little throb as McCarron ap-
peared, striding along homeward. He
seemed to enjoy breasting the wind.
His head was up and his broad shout
derS 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, II the
shouts Of joyous young America pre-
vented sight or sound Of a heavy car
until it was almost upon the merry
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
frantically, but the momentum of the
car still carried it forward at cruel
speed.
With q sudden sick horror and yet
with a thrill Of joy, too, Marcia, strain.
ing her eyes through the gloom. saw
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,
and %senseless, lay on the couch
beside her. Old DR.. Giddings In tones
If professional cheerfulness was speak.
ng to her father. Unconscious just
Of course, but he's not dangerous.
Y hurt. A broken leg is the worst OF
lis Injuries. never saw a nobler act
md I'm more than happy it isn't going
o cost him his life"
The frozen rose Of love in Marcia's
leart had burst Its Icy bonds of doubt
It McCarron's brave deed and bloomed
n splendor on the instant. She dropped
N her knees by the couch and kissed
LcCarron's blood stained lips.
Q%uickened into life by the caress, his
huttered, opened. He fixed a
glance of wonder, then comprehension,
the girl. This has given me your
'ity, Maury, at last" he whispered.
The feeble tones expressing so much
II contentment and affection and the
Did dear name Of childhood caused the
ready tears to overflow. mot pity,
she answered, mot pity, dear
heart, but lover!