The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-03-12


one arm upon the desk and her cheek
upon her hand; the pen she had pick
ed up, still absently held in her fin
gers, touching her lips, and it was
given to him to know that he would
always keep that pen, though he would
never write with it again. The soft
lamplight fell across the lower part
Of her face, leaving her eyes, which
were lowered thoughtfully, in the
shadow of her hat The room was
blotted out in darkness behind her.
Like the background of an antique
portrait, the Office, with its dusty cor
ners and shelves and hideous safe,
had vanished, leaving the charming
and thoughtful face revealed against
an even, spacious BROWNIES. Only
Ariel and the roses and the lamp were
clear, and strange small pain NOV
ed from Joe's heart to his throat as he
thought that this ugly office, always
before so harsh and grim and lonely
lOneliest for him when it had been
most crowded-was now TRANSPORTED
into something very. very different
from an office; that this place where
he sat, with a lamp and flowers on
desk between him and a woman who
called him my dear" must be like
like something that people called
home"
And then he leaned across the desk
toward her as he said again what he
had said a little while before, and his
voice trembled:
ariel, it is you?"
She looked at him and smiled.
You'll be here always, won't you?
You're not going away from Canaan
again."
For a moment it seemed that she
had not heard him. Then her bright
glance at him wavered and fell. She
rose, turning slightly away from him,
but not so far that he could not see
the sudden agitation in her face.
"Ah," he cried, rising, too, II don't
want you to think l don't understand
or that | meant should ever ask you
to stay here! l couldn't mean that.
You know | couldn't, don't you? You
know l understand that it's all just
your beautiful friendliness, don't you"
at isn't beautiful; it's just me, Joe,"
she said. 'It couldn't be any other
way"
ITS enough that you should be here
now" he went on bravely, his voice
steady, though his hand shook. Moth
ing so wonderful as your staying could
ever actually happen. It's just light
coming into a dark room and out again.
One day long ago, l never forgot it,
some apple blossoms blew by me as
passed an orchard, and it's like that
too. But oh, my dear, when you go
your leave a fragrance in my heart
that will lastv'
She turned toward him, her face suf-
fused with a rosy light. You'd rather
have died than have said that to me
once" she cried. I'm glad you're
weak enough now to confess itr'
He sank down again into his chair,
and his arms fell heavily on the desk.
Confess it!' he cried despairingly.
"And you don't deny that you're going
away again-so it's truel l wish l
hadn't realized it so soon. think I'd
rather have tried to fool myself about
it little longer!"
"Joe," she cried in voice of great
pain, you mustn't feel like that! How
do you know I'm going away again.
Why should I want the old house put
in order unless mean to stay? And II
l went you know that 1 could never
change. You know how I've always
cared for YOU
YES" he said, 81 do know how. II
was always the same, and it always
will be, won't itY
i've shown that" she returned
quickly.
Yes. You say know how you've
cared for me, and 1 do l know how
It's just in one certain way-Jonathar
and DAVID
Isn't that a pretty good way, Joe"
Never fear that don't understand
He got to his feet again and looked a
her steadily.
THANK you, joe" She wiped suddeI
tears from her eyes.
Don't Sou be sorry for me-" he said
do you think that passing the love o
women isn't enough for me-?
no" she answered humbly.
'Tll have people at work on the oil
house tomorrow" he began. And 70
the
: I've kept you so long, she inter
rupted, helped to a meek sort of gay
ETY. by his matter Of fact tone. 5000
night, Joe" She gave him her hand
Il don't want you to come with me. !
, isn't very late, and this is Canaan"
Il want to come with you. however,
he said, picking up his hat You can
so alone"
But you are so tired, you
She was interrupted. There wer
muffied, flying footsteps on the stair
and a shabby little man rTn furtivel
into the room, shut .packeroor benin
I, him and set his 1st 1t. h
! face was mOtfkQ.. c0l0ro1 MAJ