The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1908-08-28
On the Long
White Road.
y VIRGINIA BLAIR.


by lne LTtouucoS VA @hc "AhN th"e
blew from pale green meadows and
brown plowed fields and reyeling In
the sweetness of the orchards. pink
and white with bloom.
But the bag that she carried was
heavy, and after the first mile her
steps Jagged. When she reached the
little cemetery where the old head
stones tilted toward each other under
the cedars she sat down ON bench by
the gateway and took off her hat.
There, l knew | couldn't make
mistake about that head Of hair" said
voice over the fence.
Charlotte turned quickly
"Why, Jerry, Jerry" she cried. II
don't think it's bit nice Of you to
begin right away about my hair
well, it's such pretty hair" Jerry
informed her as he came around to the
gate. ~ don't see why | shouldn't
talk about It,"
Red hair" she told him, "is never
pretty"
1OuTS ISL I tSu, hS iiicAoeS" S'NN''s'
"it's coppery--gold and red
whats the matter at homer she
demanded, ignoring the compliment
"No one came to meet me-"
He looked down at her solicitously.
Hasn't any one told you"
She turned pale.
mo. Is anybody sick7'
He shook his head.
Andrews won't wait any longer for
his money. He's going to foreclose
the mortgage and your mother and fa-
ther drove over to your Uncle BoDs
last night to see If he could help out
don't believe they knew you were
coming on this train. | didn't or I'd
have come down after you"
But Charlotte was not listening.
Andrews is going to foreclose" she
faltered. "Did he fell the reason?"
"No. Your father says he just wrote
that he couldn't walt any longer for
the interest--and"-
IL know the reason" Charlotte
stated, with flashing eyes. "He wrote
me last week and asked me to marry
him, jerry
The young man stared. HE did
"Yes, he dared she continued, "he
told ME that he knew he was much
older than I and that he hadn't much
education, but he had big house and
horses and automobiles, and he knew
that he could make me happy, as
was poor and teaching school, and my
family were in debt. OF course he
didn't say 1t just that way, but he
meant it,
"And-you refused?" The young
mans lips were set in straight line.
''Of course. don't love him. Jerry
The boys face cleared. THAT'S rea'
son enough, Charlotte. think Il
should give up II you married any one
else''--
A deep stain Of red touched the girls
cheeks, but she went on quietly.
IT don't know what we are going t.
do, Jerry. have given father and
mother every cent have earned by
teaching this year, but 1t has merely
paid the interest"
The young man bent over her and
took her hands His chest heaved
"If you'd only marry me, Charlotte,
he said.
But you can't, Jerry" she reminded
him. you've got your own burden Of
family debt, and 1t wouldn't be righ
for us to add to the worries of oul
parents, would it?'
But love you" was his plea. ant
for n moment she clung to him.
'I know" she whispered. "but W.
can keep on lovlng-nothing shall CONF
between our love-Jerry."
After little while she went OF
steadily:
81 thought Of 1t as I walked alon'
today. 1t seemed to me that dut!
stretched before me like a long whit
road--a weary road-and yet some
where at the end Of the road was hom'
where I could rest and be loved Per
haps that will he the way with ou
lives, Jerry. There will he wear.
road to travel, but in the end we shal
have our home, and love and happl
ness-if we are patient, Jerry"
Dear heart" he whispered. AM
smoothed her hair.
And after time he stood up In tn
strength Of his youth.
But don't want to be patient h
said restlessly. II want to build ou
nest like the birds In the spring.
want to put you-ln It. and keep yo'
safe and warm
But you mustn't, Jerry"
$50 you say Then with sud
den. quick smile he looked down q
her., Lets be happy fer one day
Charlotte. They don't expect yot
Come down to the lake and III ROY
you across to the lily beds"
Il can't" she protested. 81 must ge
home and comfort them II they ar
there-and PLAN
I'm going too"
"weli. you may 20 with me an
carry my bag"
And 40 they began their journe
along the jopg white road together
At the crossroads a big red motor ca
passed them and stopped. az.
'It's Andrews." Jerry murmured
they plodded on, ''anL he's comm
back" .s.f
.Mlss Charlotte" called the man
thescaf.
Chariotts turned. II \ r
~Lse No taks ron ~ rest Of a
NV & ~ saTss Andzsws sGss1s 4