The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-09-27

| Steve's relatives at the questions as to
his movements from the flushed DUR
| suer, little more than a stranger to
| them, overwhelmed her with an agony
| of embarrassment 1t was plain that
/ they had heard nothing of the short en-
! gagement and its violent rupture, and
/ she was not in position to explain, for
/ only humilieting defeat might meet her
| attempt at reconciliation. She was
( obliged to leave them with an obviously
unflattering opinion of girl who was
eonfesSedly chasing young man and
who only blushed painfully and looked
| distressed instead of giving satisfactory
reasons.
THAT was big piece of humble pie.
1t almost chOked me"' she gasped when
| once more pedaling for dear life. But,
anyhow, | know he's going to stop
twice more and intends taking the early
train at Lynchburg. 1t was worth it to
I learn SO much. | can-I will-make
it,
Noon came and passed. The weary
| miles seemed to stretch interminably,
but she pushed on. feeling that the only
impOSSibility in existence was failure.
\ friendly boy assured her of the route
and gave her directions for saving a
couple of miles.
This maneuveT came near being her
Waterloo, for on the crosscut she met
| young Lawson, a one time suitOr, whom
/ ,i,, l. IN,
"Why, Miss Doraw He stopped.
blocking her way. "Are you lost or
merely working off injured feelings?"
Neither" she replied curly, at
tempting to pass.
He ungallantly wheeled his horse,
preventing her, saying slyly: Your
face answers as to your feelings. I
might ask you how you like the sack
yourself, but I'm generous. Oh" lie
laughed at her look Of surprise, its
10 secret that Steve shook YOU and put
| out this morning"
You are very wise" she reto"tei,
| endeayoring to pass.
oh. it's common wisdom" he grin
ned still preventing her. 1T wasn't
| ccntlemanly Of Steve to jilt q girl SO
pu licly. Come, now; let ne make You
Mrs. Lawson at once, and you'n turn
the laugh on him good ana hard"
steve did not jilt me. l was to
blame Eyself.' Dora tared Let me
| pass, please. l must 20 on
why, YOU don't mean that you're
| taggin" the fellow to try to coax him
/ back he jeered insoleuNy.
Scarlet but diSdaiuin@ denial, Dora
oyad2d him and fed, murmuriuS with
Il long breath: THAT was horrible
piece Of humble pie! But it's better
than eating bitter bread the rest of
my life"
With sickeniHg fear that she was
already too late, she 2corched despcr-
atclv over the remaining miles and
dashed, painting and disheveled, into
/ Lyucllburg, coming almost Immediate
| ~ upon Steve. with Don ard the bug
/ "y, at Il sale stable With a pang she
/ noted that steve was pale and bag
! gard. He. too, had suffered and yet
/ he looked 50 stern and grave. Her
courage faltereI. He might not-but
| she must take it, this last and biggest
! piece of humble pie, and if steve We're
lmplacable she was SO exhausted she
was sure she would die and there
would be no Miss rrisSy'S fate for her
As She timdly approached Steve
turned, saw her and with an eXclama-
ton darted to her, and at the sudden
light in his eyes Miss Dora Topped
over in his arms, half faintin2, muir
murin@ heartbrokeniy: oh, Steve!
Steve"
That was all, but enough.
The humble pie I've eaten. Ger
tainly deserve entire absolutignw Dora
cried self r!ghteoUs,v when the high
stopping Don was prancing home with
them.
Humble pie" Steve exclaimed.
Your little piece is nothing to the
hunk I've got to swallow-GoinG back
after all the fuss-and how I'm to
do it l don't see unless we're mar
ried at once and run away on a long
trip"
Dora blushed, but said nothing, and
silence gives consent.