Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-03-05

she might have formed since last he
saw her. 1t might be that the terrible
longing in his heart was never to be
satisfied. and then the necessity for
speech became almost intolerable. 1t
was because of this chat he had spoken
in the old fashion. "Cynthy. s'pose we
tell what has happened since last we
metz"
And Cynthy had not resented the re.
turn to old speech or the use of her
name, but had answered simply,
"S'posin'." and Lem was not disposed
to quarrel about the answer.
But it was n thing to decide to
speak and quite another to find the
words one wanted. While he was still
seeking them Cynthy said, "S'pose I
begin?"
Gratefully Lem accepted their re.
versed positions and answered in his
turn, 'S'posin'."
Cynthy found a comfortable spot and
sat down. while Lem threw himself at
her feet. Then she began in a simple.
unaffected way to tell the story, which
the man eagerly drank in. So much
depended upon that story. 1t would
either open his lips or seal them for
ever, and he knew 1t. BE composed
himself to listen, determined that nei-
Their by word nor look should he en-
barrass her or make it difficult for her
to give him this glimpse of her life. He
could not help wondering If it meant
qS mIch tO har ac to him
"There isn't a great deal to my
story, Lem" said Cynthy. IT did not
know how fond of the old place l was
until we had moved away. They say
that those who are left behind feel
worse than those who go because new
things take up the attention. 1 dare
say that is true in a way at least. but
there is a kind of longing for old
places and old friends that is worse
than physical pain when it strikes and
that only the absentee can feel. True,
it is not always there. One could not
stand 1t if 1t We're" Cynthy spoke in a
reminiscent tone, more to herself than
to him, and Lem felt a sort Of comfort
in the knowledge that he was not the
only sufferer.
II went to school and gave my whole
attention to my books, as l had de-
termined to fit myself for a teacher.
Somehow l think it always lay back
in my mind that I should return here
some day. 1 will not deny that the de-
sire became less a conscious purpose
than a subconscious dream as the
years went by, but about six months
ago it famed into a purpose that would
brook no opposition"
Here Cynthy paused and fell tc
thinking. Lem noted the fast chang
ing color now, and his heart sank q
little. He wondered what had reused
and whether it BODIED good Or i'll fol
him and his hopes. Every moment
seemed to make it more a matter OF
life and death that he should know bis
fate.
With heightened color and eyes tina
Cynthy resumed her story, apparently
unconscious of the anxious scrutiny O.
her companion. about a year ago {
young student came to board with us
AS you know, I never had a brother
and before long we became excellen'
friends. 1t vas very nice to have som
one to depend upon, ever ready to d.
what one needed, to play escort an6
big brother That was what we boil
called it at first. But it seemed tt
grow to be more, and-and-why, then
he asked me to marry him. 1t was
surprise to me at first, but after awhil,
l thought / would say yes. Then it oc
Cured to me that before tying mysel
to a promise that l might not be abb
to keep I should see more Of life.
was not SURE l could be a minister
wife, and besides l did not know
whether l loved him or not. 1 needed
absence to prove my feeling to myself
So that is why l am here. l apple,
for and finally got the position o
teacher, and here 1 am. out with yo'
just as in the old days, and it hardl.
seems as if it could be six years sine
then. Does it. Lem?"
Something in the question made tn
young mans heart leap and the no
blood rush to his head. He locke,
sharply at Cynthy, but she appeare
to be merely wondering aloud, an
hope died down again. But it was TIM
for his story now, and. moreover, h
felt as If he could tell it, indeed mus
tell it. let the outcome be what
might.
at seems to me, Cynthy," he sait
"that perhaps without my knowing
you have always been a big factor i
my life. I had taken your frlendshi
as such a matter Of course that if
thought of it at all it was as somethin
that could not be changed. Therefor
your going OF to the city that wa
was a blow that stunned me. 1 coul
not get used to 1t. I did not once thin
e of asking you to write to me. In fac
/ could think Of nothing but that 70
e were going. The place seemed might
lonesome after you were gone. and
gave myself up to my work in the mi
n az if that, too, would never chang
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