The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-04-26

three months. don't deserve you
should forgive me, and that's fact"
I'm sure | forgave you long ago."
interrupted the girl softly.
Nelly" Incredulously. But what
are you doing at the station? Not
going away? couldn't stand for that
you know, now I've got you again"
Il am going to New YORK"
And so it's because you're going to
New York that you are so fine, and
look 80 pretty"
DO you like my things?" she asked,
eagerly. DO look pretty, really
and truly"
Your things are up In G., and you're
as pretty as a picture, Nelly. But
what's the use of words. II all these
people weren't here I'd show You what
think of you. What are you going
to do in New York;"
She looked at him sideways. 81 am
going" she said slowly, 81 am going
to be married to Michael"
He gave a gasp. That's not true, he
cried. She shrugged her shoulders,
Nelly" he besought, forgive me. |
shouldn't have said that, but you gave
me a fright. | know it isn't true. !
know you're just teasing me. But I've
lost my nerve and can't stand for 1t.
Say you don't mean IT,"
What's the use OF my saying any.
thing" she asked him, when you
think I'm not telling you the truth?
I'm going TO marry Michael Don.
ovan. For two years | was straight
TO you. and put up with your
jealousies and tempers. and turned
down lots of better men because
well. because was silly about you,
But when you threw me of, and left
me TO be a public laughing stock, did
you think ! was going to put on sack
cloth and ashes, til you got good and
ready to come back to me? Not
much!"
You needn't say any more inter
rupted the man, Il quite understand
Miss Mccullough. Well, hope you'll
be happy and have lots of good luck
He lifted his hat with awkward dig.
nifty, and turning on his heel. marched
towards the door
The girl watched his retreating
form with frightened eyes. then Jim"
she called, almost under her breath,
Jim" He heard her and came strid.
ing back.
"Well?" he demanded
II didn't speak" she stammered.
II beg your pardon, thought you
did. "Oh, Nelly" he cried, you can't
mean to do this thing. II Michael
were a decent sort I'd not have a
word TO say. But he isn't. Why. he
hasn't a friend In the world It was
knowing the things do about him
that made me so riled when | saw him
hanging round you. Nelly, even II It's
all over now, | ask you, please wait!"
The girl gazed at him spellbounu,
her hands nervously opening and clos.
ing
why, Nelly" with a sudden joyful
conviction, 81 believe you love me
still"
"Oh, jim" she sobbed, ~ dol do.
But I've given Michael my word, and
I'll have to keep It,"
why look here, Nelly" he pleaded,
III it's a question of keeping prom.
ises, you promised me long before
you promised Michael, and it's the
first promise that holds in law, you
know"
East bound express, stopping at
Hudson. Poughkeepsie and New
York." chanted the station official.
The girl made to rise to her feet,
but the clock.maker's arm drew her
back
Sweetheart" he whispered, you
don't want to so and marry Michael
do you?"
NO" said the girl. 81 don't want to
marry Michael, but"
But what?"
We'll, you see," she explained, ITS
like this: told all the girls at the
store that was going to get married,
and about my trip to New York, and
IL go back and tell them there wasn't
any wedding, and there wasn't any
trip, why they'll Josh me to death.
limits dreadful for me to say it
but you love me, don't you Jim? Let's
go away TO New York, you and me.
now, and let us get married. Then
they couldn't throw anything up to
me-"
But Nelly" he protested, taken
aback. what would the boss say II
went off at q moments notice that
way?"
Il guess he'd say nothing. seeing you
went to be married"
Look at my Clothes" he cried.
And. sweetheart, haven't the money
to buy a ticket, let alone to get mar.
ried with.
I've got the money. Jim" she whis
pered. $50 I've saved"
Nelly" he said desperately, ~
can't take your money like that. I'd
be regular sponge"
East bound express. stopping at
Hudson, Poughkeepsie and New York.
A ~ Al.