Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-11-30

sought the open air. Bridge ana Court
streets were brought out brilliantly by
arches Of incandescent lights, and in
the Indian summer warmth a pushing,
perspiring crowd made their way VI
and down the streets and jostled each
other into the gutter, while the con
fetti was scattered about and the
feather ticklers were everywhere in
evidence.
With a gesture of disgust, Sugden
turned from the crowd His mood was
not atune' to merrymaking, and he
sought the more quiet parts of the
town. Almost unconsciously he took
the familiar paths that led to the little
cottage where the Grantleys had made
their home, and presently he found
himself leaning against the fence that
inclosed the well kept garden. Here
he lighted a cigar, and with the soft
gloom of the tree shaded yard for his
screen he projected from his fancy
scenes wherein he and Elizabeth had
figured He could see the gay ham
mock swung between the apple tree
and the horse chestnut. He could pic
lu4C I1C OdlilJ uSulS III Al1u1J Nu1IC
and could almost hear her hail of I'm
out here, Billy, in the hammock" as
the gate clicked behind him.
Then his mind conjured the vision
Of the wistful faced girl leaning upon
the railing Of the bridge and pleading
with him to keep his freedom that he
might make his fight free handed He
remembered those last few moments
when he had declared that he would
have nothing more to do with a girl
who feared to face poverty with him,
and even now it seemed that he could
hear her sObS as she had walked with
tear blinded eyes down the street,
while he had leaned against the wall
and had watched her go Without sin
gle word of comfort
Somehow the sobbing seemed strange
ly real 1t was almost as though a
woman there in the shadow of the
trees was letting loose the flood gates
Of her grief So real did the sound
seem that he flung away his cigar and
vaulted the low fence, making for the
direction of the sound. But, though he
expected to find a woman there under
the trees, it was with a shock that he
did come face to face with a bowed
figure. With uplifted hat and a muir
INJURED offer of service, he advanced,
but the woman moved away silently
Something in the poise brought Sug-
denis heart into his mouth, and, with
cry, he darted forward.
Elizabeth! Is it really your he de
manded. "Have l found you at last?''
The girl was at the gate now, and in
the light of the distant street lamp he
saw that he was right.
Listen, DEAR" he went on. Il don't |
blame you for wanting nothing to do |
with me. but hear me only for a min !
ute.
II did not know what you intuitiyely |
guessed-bow hard the struggle would |
be. I did not know the conditions. /
thought that with you to help me make
the fight I could do better. 1 know
now that / was wrong"
'T thought that knowledge would
come in time" said the girl softly |
Genius in garnet is a thing Of the
past. Genius to be discovered must !
live and dress we'll. l could not make |
you understand that
But I know it now" he assured |
her. L can see that alone 1 could live |
better and at least preserve the ap- /
pearance of prosperity that was my
greatest aid to advancement. And |
even as my error was great so is my |
penitence, Betty. Can you find it in ]
your heart to forgive me, to admit me
at least to your friendship"
'"To forgive is part of wOman's life |
she said wearily. Il had not intended |
to make myself known. / just wanted |
to see the old town and the old home |
again, but you have found me OUT
"And this time shall not let you
CO., he said, mot if can prove how |
great has been my repentance. Look,
dear, the old house is for sale. May |
buy it in the hope that some day we
shall call it home? l know l do not
deserve forgiveness, dear, but-you
said would find you waiting when I
came home.'
cit has been a long wait" che said
softly, "a very long wait, Billy, but |
have kept my promise. have waited
alone"
Gently, almost reverently, he took
her in his arms, and as his lips brush
ed the soft brown hair he realized |
what some men never come to know,
the depth and beawty OF a woman's |
loving forgiveness. Sugden had found |
the old homeland the new
Taking No Chances.