Daily Arizona silver belt., 1908-03-19


 he spoke of going to the city she bad gently said that her duty was to care for her lereaved 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 fong away from her. de- claring that sie 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 were strangely mixed with the details of ac- 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 go 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 he 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, 1t 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 yisit?" asked Bessie when they had cleared the crowd. Jimmy shook his head.
 T came because of your postal" he explained. 'It made me homesick, and just had to come"
 I'm sorry she began, but Jimmy stopped her,
 I'm not" he declared. I'm glad. l never was so glad about anything be. fore. It was like message that had to answer"
 But now 1t may make you only dissatisfied to go back" cried the girl.
 That's just the beauty of 1t all," explained Jimmy. I'm not going back. guess Arlington's s big enough place for me to stay in, espe. cially"-
 Especially she repeated as Jlm. my paused.
 Look here" he said, speaking rap. idly and with a voice that betrayed the intensity of his feelings. Il know l don't deserve to be permitted to speak to you after the way l acted about your staying here when l wanted you to marry me and 20 to town. I've for feited all right even to see you. but If you could only know the time I've put In since l got that card you'd be sorry for me. even if l did act like brute. You were right. Bcss, in staying with your father. l was all wrong. But I am sorry. Do you think that perhaps some time we might be friends-good friends-once moref'
 "We are friends now said Bessie softly, "else you would not be walk ing with me"
 II don't mean that" objected Jim my. Its not just friendship l ask. It is something more. 1 want chance to regain your love. Do you think that there would be chance for me in timer
 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. JimT" 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 a cry of dismay.
 You've broken the lamp 1 bought for the parlor," she reprcached.
 Jimmy laughed happily. "Pll buy dozen lamps for the parlOr-our par lor," he promised recklessly. ----------