The Washburn leader., 1907-11-29

sought the open air. Bridge and Court
streets were brought ont brilliantly by
arches of incandescent lights. and io
the Indian summer warmth pushing.
perspiring crowd made their way vi,
and down the streets and jostled each
Other into the gutter. while the COP
fetti was scattered about and the
feather ticklers were everywhere in
evidence.
With 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 we'll kept garden. Here
he lighted o. 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.
! ture the dainty figure in filmy white
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
membered 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 lie had leaned against the wall
and had watched her go without@a 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 food 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 woman there under
the trees, it was with shock that he
did come face to face with Il bowed
figure. With uplifted hat and mur-
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 you?' he de-
manded. "Have found you at lasty"
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 dc
| with me, but hear me only for min
ute.
81 did not know what you intuitively
guessed-how hard the struggle would
be. did not know the conditions.
thought that with you to help me make
the fight l could do better know
now that was wrong"
81 thought that knowledge would
come in time,' said the girl softly.
Genius in garret is thing of the
past. Genius to be discovered must
live and dress we'll. l could not make
you understand that"
"But l know it now," he assured
her. Il can see that alone 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"
ITO forgive is part of woman's life"
she said wearily. II 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 l 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? know l do not
deserve forgiveness. dear. but-yon
said would find you waiting when
came home"
"It has been q long watt" she 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 beauty of a woman's
loving forgiveness. Sugden had found
the old home-and the new.
Taking No Chances.
ut is a rule to which good lawyers