The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-02-12

he spoke Of going to the cit, she had
gently sail hat her duty was 10 care
for he: '' gci tathcr.
He haG II ne argument that her
great dutJ ,l Onward herself. but sh,
thrust tie LEA from her. and in the
end he haI hung away from her. de
claring tA@, she did not love him. else
she wou'' 80, that he had greater
rights than her father. for whom she
had wo"le.: MI ghc best years of her
life.
He ha uot wrt..ru aftc. that. uut
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 were
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 a 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 and 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, it was
Jimmy who stepped forward to relieve
her Of her burden and who guided hel
through the little knot Of station
loungers.
"You are back for a visit?" asked
Bessie when they had cleared the
crowd. Jimmy shook his head.
II came because of your postal" he
explained. 1T made INT homesick. and
I just had to come"
"I'm sorry she began. but Jimmy
stopped her. ...
I'm not" he declared. Pm glad.
never was so glad about anything be
fore. 1t was like a message that l hat
to answer"
But now it may make you onl.
dissatisfied to go back cried the girl
That's just the beauty of it ALL
explained Jimmy. I'm not going
back. l guess ArlingtOn's q hi.
enough place for me to stay in. espe
cially"-
"Esprcially?' she repeated as jim,
my paused,
Look here" he said. speaking rap
idly and with Il voice that betrayed til,
intensity Of his feelings. II know
don't deserve to be permitted to speal
to you after the way l acted abou'
your staying here when l wanted yot
to marry me and go to town. I've for
fcitr1 AL right cVcn to see you, but i
you cou!l only know the time I've pu
in since | got that card you'd be sorlA
for ne, even if | did act like Il brute
You were right, Bess. in Stayins
with your father. | was all wrong
But | am sorry. DO you think tina
perhaps some tim" we might hi
friends good flicnd@-oncc more?"
I'VE are friends now" said Hcssi,
SDitlS, GiSt lou Nt'ith ltt " VAIN
ing with me-"
- don't mean that objected Jim
my. Its not just friendship ! ask
II is something more. | want Il chanr'
to regain your love, DO you tii,.,
that there would be Il chance for II
in time!"
Something in his tones told the cir
of his sincerity and his loneliness. IL
had hurt her cruelty in those old days
but she had felt sure that he wOul,
come back to her, Her face grew
softer as she laid a hand upon his arm
Why wait. JIM" she asked. "Yo'
have learned your lesson"
The bundles fell to the hard packe'
10 as Jimmy ra%pturously caugh
her in his arms. AS he recovered tn
bundles one crushed under his grasI
and there was the tinkle of broke
glass.
Ress gave Il cry of dismay.
You've broken the lamp l bough
for the parlor." she reproached.
Jimmy laughed happily. "Ill buy
dozen lamps for the parlor-our pal
lor," he promised ~rccklessly.