Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

with shipping and dlscolored by the
tides and refuse. II would be- gray
ghost Of her old friend. a tantalixing
reminder Of the river she had lost.
She was still sobbing when a sharp.
staccato bark resounded and a small
terrier bounded into view.
Bess rubbed her eyes confusedly.
The dog was fawning upon her In q
very paroxysm Of JOY. Surely It would
not lie Tony. and yet-on the gllsten.
Ing collar plate she read the name.
II am james Harvey's Tony. Tell him
he's lost ne" Tony was ghost from
her other life, and she threw her arms
about his wiry little neck and buried
her head upon his shoulder.
James Harvey, coming softly up TO
see what game the dog had tracked.
paused a moment 10 contemplate the
-pictGfe.. Another instant he had sprung
forward.
"Where did you drop frSm. Bess"
he demanded. 81 have been searching
vhe four corners of the globe for you"
~ have been right here" she said
steadily as she offered cool. soft
hand. 81 had to do something. so |
decided to put to use my only talent.
I amer. rather. have been-thc teach
er Of district l."
"And the terror Of every mother with
q son or daughter Of marriaeeable
age" he completed. with laugh Il
have Hecn hearing a'out you. but the
teacher never Miss Mayo"
"1hey are all wrong" she cried bit
tery. Il did not want their sons, nor
to lisappoiut their daush;eI'S. just
wanted 90 lie let a!o;.r - ra.n my liv-
Ing. and they would not do II.
81 understand" he said gently. Il
studied In old school myself when
was shaver. This is my home
town. you know"
"You came from Milton" she asked.
Somehow | thought you had been
born I'm the city"
81 am tfaitOrous son. lie laughed.
This IS my first visit here since left
for college have bought up the Nil
ton pulp mill and am going To settle
down here for the summer. ! suppose
you realize that you are n tresspasser
on my land this very minute"
"It won't he for long she smiled
sadly. II am leaving for town In the
morning to find school for next year.
"Why not stay herc?' he urged.
"Bess, you must know that | love you,
dear. felt I ought to wait until you
left Bryn Mawr before spoke, but
thought you understood
Scarlet flooded her face. She had
thought she understood, but when the
crash came Harvey had given no sign.
"I was In Europe when your father
died." ne went on. II was on pedes-
trian excursion, and word did not reach
me until we'll toward the end OF sum-
mer. Then I hurried home, and you
had left no trace May ! say now
what was in my heart then? Will you
marry me. dcar?
She restrained her impulse to yield.
1T Is not because you are sorry that
have lost thc poSition?' she demand
ed.
ITS not a question Of sympathy he
said 1T Is lovc-love that was born
long ago
do you know" she said pensively,
"I was trying to realize what it would
mean To 70 lack to the city and leave
the river behind? | have grown very
fond of the river, jim"
He took her In his arms with hap
py laugh. He was familiar with her
oddity of expression and knew that,
while ahc spoke of the river, there was
a deeper reason.
"Now let the alarmed mothers set
their r.inds ut rest" he said as he set
tied himself with his arm about her.
"a most dangerous person has been
made HARMLESS by Dan Cupid. | think
am public benefactor to Milton
You are more than that to me-" she
whispered contentcdly as, with her
head against his shoulder, she looked
out across the silvery blue water and
realized tina! through 1t she had found
ncace and Tie nan she loved.