Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-08-15
Or the Long
White Road.

BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted 1905 by Associated !.
Literary Press :

HtiNctu the iOWl anu utT country hollt.
AZ first she stepped lightly. uplifted
by the freshness of the wind that
blew from pale green meadows aud
brown plowed fields and rcveling 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 or her hat
"'rhere, ] 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 a bit nice OF you to
begin right away about my hair"
well. it's such pretty hair Jerry
Informed her as he came around 10 the
gate y don't see why shouldn't
talk about it,
Red hair" she told him. rs never
pretty"
Yours isn't red. he insisted stoutly;
ITS coppery gold and red"
whats the matter at home:" she
demanded. ignoring the compliment.
NO one came 10 meet me"
lie looked down at her solicitously.
Hasn't any one told youf"
she turned pale
NO. Is anybody sick?"
He shook his head
Andrews won't wait any longer for
his money He's going to foreclose
the mortgage, and your mother and Ia
ther drove over TO your Uncle Bob
last night to see II he could help out
don't believe they knew you were
coming on this train didn't or ia
lute ma Aawn after you"
Bur Charlotte WIS NOT listening
Andrews Is going q foreelnset she
faHered p'd he ten ha sas.ug'
@No Your fathci say he rrote
That he couidn, val auE -.r for
THE Interest aad"
En1w tlc -ea.a rlotte
stated. with aashIag asr- wrote
me last week and asked my . marry
him, Jerry
The young man stared. lie did"
.Yes. he dared She continued. he
told Inc thpt he knew he was much
older than aud 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 II 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 II
should give up If you married any one
else
A deep stain OF red touched the girls
cheeks. but she went on quietly
II don't know what we are going to
do, Jerry. have given father and
mother every cent have earned by
teaching this year, but II has merely
paid the interest"
The young man b,nt over her and
took her hands His chest hcaved.
III 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 it wouldn't be right
for us TO add 10 the worries Of our
parents. would IT,
But | love you was his plea. and
for moment she chung to him
81 know" She whispered. but we
can keep on loving nothing shall come
between our love Jerry"
After little while she went on
steadily:
Il thought OF Il as | walked along
today II seemed 70 me that duty
stretched before me like long white
road-a weary road-and yet some
where az the end Of the road was home
where | could rest and be loved Per
haps thar win be the way with our
lives Jerry. There Will be a weary
road TO travel, but In the end we shall
have our home and love ana happl-
ness-if we are patient. Jerry"
Dear heart" he whispered and
smu0thcd her hair.
Aud after time he stood up In the
strength Of his youth.
But don't want 10 be patient" he
said restlessly Il want TO build our
like the birds IN the spring
ant to put YOU IN It, aud keep you
safe and warm"
"But you mustn't Jerry"
$50 you say Then with sud
den. quick smile he looked down at
her. Lets be happy for one day,
Charlotte. They don't expect you.
Come down to the lake aud III row
you across 10 the lily beds"
Il can't" she protested. Il must get
home and comfort them II they are
there and plan
I'm going too"
well. you may go with me and