The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-06-07

ness, but I didn't know-I couldn't
know OF all this going on. But--you
can handle all the property. You can
beat Nj. Craig-and be trustee and
guardian-and everything
she was blushiny holly. TO her II
was almost as If she herself were pro-
posing marriage 10 Jerry, but her
sense Of right and loyalty and graft
tude bore her out in II bravely.
Jerry looked at her, puzzled. He
failed 10 grasp her meaning, so many
and 50 poignant had been his feelings
recently.
'But-5ut Craig is guardian-trus-
tee he stammered.
"Ees-of cOurse-I know" she said
corageously, but the viii says II l
should marry a man over thirty-five
years OF age, and you'll wrote you /
would. I wrote it, Jerry-and I meant
it-only-only- Don't you see what
] meang'
"Sylvia-lets sit down" he said In a
voice grown suddenly thick.
He took a place on the seat and
stared at the ground. His face was
red, but Il paled peculiarly.
Let's sit down. he repeated, as he
strove TO collect his thoughts.
A great wave OF JOY had surged SD
swiftly through his being that It made
him weak.
'SyIvia-tel me- he said, speaking
with obvious emotion. did Allan know
why you sent for me today?"
She coIOred instantly.
Yes" she confessed. che did "
t.
said;
NO wonder you Ike him. Sylvia
But the Will" she insisted. I'VE
came here TO talk Of that"
And you could do it-marry meg"
he said. looking fairly in her eyes.
She returned his gaze unfinchingly.
"Oh. Jerry" she said, Il ought TO
have done IL before, but 1 couldn't
help want TO. now, mean.
You've been so good to us-you've
done so much! I've been selfish and
thoughtless and-everything else. But
I couldn't let you be ruined. 1 won't,
1 WON'T
Jerry was gazing on the ground
again. His two big hands were tight
ly Clasped tpgether. A wonderful hap
piness POSSESSED him. touching his ma
ture with subllmity. His hour had
come
II knew it, Sylvia knew you were
always just this kind" he said SLOWLY
4 knew it-even when / felt the
worst
She was very pale. The implied con
fession hurt her consciousness deepIv.
4 am sorry If 1 made you feel un-
happy she said. Forgive me, Jerry
please"
"Oh, don't say that" he begged. i
dion't want you to say a thing like
that l knew at last-I mean / sort
OF felt didn't have the right, dear
child. 10 ask you togo head with
the notion or marrying me-"
But you did have the right" she
answered warmly. ''Of course you had
the right. And any day you say"
lie raised his hand in a kindly ges-
ture OF interruption.
If Allan hadn't shows himself A
man-it might have been another
story he said. God bless you. Syl-
via, you've made me feel like a boy
again-happy as yonder singing lark
but III have 10 be a sort OF father. l
reckon, TO you and Allan and Dummy"
"Oh, no, no. nor she said You
can't throw away your property like
that 1 came all the way from the
East too De Mrs. Kirk. l couldn't
let all your life work 90. / couldn't
be happy anywhere In the world"
lie took her hand for a moment and,
laying it IN his palm. placed his other
hand above It fondIy.
sylvia, don't be thinking Of any
more property, or business, against
the things in your heart" he said
Don't make that mistake. / couldn't
let you 40 It. I've been getting 10 like
Allan better and better in spite OF
myself 1 like him pretty weI-today.
It's got 10 be you two. 1t couldn't be
helped
please don't say it-please," she said.
Think how l should always feel
Give me q chance to do a little some
thing, Jerry. please"
He put down her hand and leaned
against the tree, gazing eff at the
mountains beyond-the mountains that
10 him were mother, counselors, all.
Sylvia looked at him. conscious Of
the struggle OF emotions going on in
his being. Never had he seemed SO
splendidly strong. 50 vigorous, SO
handsome in his way Of rugged beau
ty
mo. he said slowly, 1t wouldn't be