The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-06-07

II was now that Justina became aware
that In starting the machinery she had
hurt her elbow Something had struck
her. she did not know what. She had
not needed the pain az frst; now Il seised
her with an overwhelming grip.
Mercy. Miss Gilbert. what ails yer
said Ben Morrison
Justina was not able 10 answer. nor
did sho know anything more about tho
affair until she recovered consciousness
in the hospital Her arm had been put
out OF joint
The days OF pain were followed by days
when Justina enjoyed the restfui life In
her little hospital room.
One afternoon she was sitting with her
arm In sling wondering what Mrs.
Truxam would say when that lady. all
out OF breath, came fluttering into the
room. "Oh, Miss Gilbert, they kept II
from me TIL now" she exclaimed. after
q warm embrace. Clarence didn't want
TO spoil my visit. and somehow ! missed
reading Of II in the newspaper. Well. my
dear. owe II TO you that have soni'
''of course the men--Ben Morrison and
the other one - helped. ! wish people
wouldn't give me all the credit" said
Justina.
Clarence told me all. my dear-allr
said Mrs. Truxam.
The color rushed into the girls pale
face. 1T is kind Of you TO come TO see
ma Notwithstanding" she said bravely,
'Notwithstandingr Don't say not
withstandng' ! am wiser now than
was But Clarence thinks you don't care
for him II seems you returned him let
ter without 6.,enlng II. Do you not care
for him? All. | see you do, Justinal ]
am more than a mere business woman.
can read hearts. You were thinking OF
me when you sent him his letter back the
other day"
Yes; / was thinking OF you--of Truxam
& Co"
Think OF yourself now-and Of Clar-
ence," said Mrs Truxam. rising to leave.
Let US forget the old plans. Here
putting the douby mailed letter In jus
tina's hand-"I have brought the letter
back. Read II and give Clarence his
answer"
Justina smiled and took the letter. The
reading OF II caused her woman's heart
to overflow with happiness. II was the
flrst love letter that she had ever re-
ceived She was reading II for the tenth
time when the nurse admitted Clarence.
II couldn't walt for your answer by
mall" said the young man. First. how
Is your precious armY'
Better, thank you. I will soon be able
to leave the hospital"
''The doctor says l may have Just five
minutes, Justina Now. you can say
Yes to the question In the letter in one
second"
"Oh, no; cannot I want you to wait
to think about It,"
81 have waited, and have thought"
II mean don't want you to think that
you are under obligations to me. This is
real life, you know"
"Yes," he smiled, "very real"
IL wish for your sake ! was pretty"
che said. with n little shade Of regret
I'm my eyes you are the most beautiful
woman In the world" he returned. ''And
TO please you I'll try TO think that I'm
not under the least obligation to you, In
return for this mental docility III ask
you to think something. VIII you do it2'
III It's not too difiicult"-with a smile
and helghtening OF color that was girl
ish and becoming.
"It ought not to be difficult for one OF
your prowess. It's to believe that our
marriage would be In the interests OF
Truxam q Co. II you reject me | shall
wish you had let me smother TO death In
the sugar bn," he pleaded.
Anybody would have rescued you.
Please don't think OF that incident 80
much. OF course would have done the
same If II had been any one else that had
fallen In"
II might have thought Of that. but. you
know. men will be egotistical Let me
be Just a little egotistical now. Justina.
When spoke Of the interest OF Truxam
& Co. meant that as my wife you would
be an inspiration to me. VIII you be my
Inspiration"
nIll try TO be-" said Justina, looking up
with the light OF love In her eyes. And
then the nurse came In TO say that the
Ave minutes had expired