The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-07

tion to them.
II had all been glorious dream, but
Bessie's mother had died. aud when
they graduated from high school and
he spoke OF going to the city she had
gently said that her duty was to care
for her bereaved father,
He had used the argument that her
great duty was toward herself, but she
thrust the idea from her. and in the
end he had flung away from her, de.
claring that she did not love him, else
she would see that he had greater
rights than her father, for whom she
had worked all the best years OF her
life.
He had not written after that, not
even to tell of his success. This was
the first time he had seen her hand
writing since he had left Arlington,
and his eyes grew soft as he studied
the chirography. Then his chief en-
tered the office, and Jimmy had to
bend to his work.
But thoughts Of Arlington We're
strangely mixed with the details Of &C.
counts, and when the noon hour came
he sought an interview with the head
of his room. The latter was looking
for an opening for cousin and was
glad enough to let Jimmy so without
the usual two weeks wait. Three days
later Jimmy was In Arlington.
His first call was on the Brewsters,
but the tiny maid told him that Miss
Bessie had gone to town for a shop
ping tour aud would not be back until
evening. When the evening train
rolled up TO the little platform and
Bessie descended from the car steps,
her arms loaded with bundles, II was
Jimmy who stepped forward to relieve
her OF her burden and who guided her
through the little knot of station
loungers.
"You are back for a visltg' asked
Bessie when they had cleared the
crowd. Jimmy shook his head.
81 came because Of your postal" he
explained. 1T made me homesick, and
I Just had to come"
'Tm sorry she began. but Jimmy
stopped her.
"rm not" he declared. Pm glad. |
never was so glad about anything be
fore. 1t was like a message that l had
to answer"
"But now it may make you only
dissatisfied to so back" cried the girl.
That's just the beauty of It ALL"
explained Jimmy. I'm not going
back. l guess Arlington's q big
enough place for me to stay in, espe-
cially"-
Especially" she repeated as jim
my paused.
Look here he said, speaking rap
idly and with voice that betrayed the
intensity of his feelings. Il know |
don't deserve to be permitted to speak
to you after the way | acted about
your staying here when l wanted you
to marry me and go to town. I've for
feited all right even to see you, but II
you could only know the time I've put
In since l got that card you'd be sorry
for me, even IL | did act like brute,
You were right Bess, In staying
with your father. l was all wrong.
But l am sorry. Do you think that
perhaps some time we might be
friends-good friends-once moreT
"We are friends now" said Bessie
softly, "else you would not be walk
ing with me-"
81 don't mean that" objected jim
my. '1t's not just friendship I ask.
1t is something more. | want chance
to regain your love. Do you think
that there would be a chance for me
In time"
Something in his tones told the girl
of his sincerity and his loneliness. He
had hurt her cruelty in those old days,
but she had felt sure that he would
come back to her. Her face grew
softer as she laid hand upon his arm.
"Why wait, Jimf" she asked. "You
have learned your lesson"
The bundles fell to the hard packed
snow as Jimmy rapturously caught
her in his arms. As he recovered the
bundles one crushed under his grasp,
and there was the tinkle of broken
glass.
Bess gave cry of dismay.
you've broken the lamp / bought
for the parlor," she reproached.
Jimmy laughed happily. an buy a
dozen lamps for the parlor-our par
Ior" he prOmised recklessly.