The Democratic advocate., 1908-08-07
On the Long
White Road.
By VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.
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blew from pale green meadows and
brown plowed fields and reveling 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 off her hat.
There, I knew I couldn't make
mistake about that head Of hair" said
a 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 to the
gate. II don't see why I shouldn't
talk about it."
"Red hair" she told him, "is never
pretty"
yours isn't red," he insisted stoutly;
ats coppery-gold and red"-
"What's the matter at homer she
demanded, ignoring the compliment.
'No one came to meet me-"
He looked down at her solicitously.
Hasn't any one told your
She turned pale.
mo. Is anybody sickT'
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's
last night to see If he could help out.
/ don't believe they knew you were
coming on this train. I didn't or I'd
have come down after you."
p But Charlotte was not listening.
"Andrews is going to foreclose?" she
faltered did he tell the reasonf'
"No Your father says he just wrote
that he couldn't wait any longer for
the interest-and"--
II know the reason" Charlotte
stated, with flashing eyes. "He wrote
me last week and asked me to marry
him, jerry
The young man stared. "He did,
Eyes, he dared"- she continued, "he
told me that he knew he was much
older than l and 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 it just that way, but he
meant it,
"And-you refused?' The young
mans lips were set in straight line.
"Of course I don't love him, Jerry"
The boys face cleared. That's rea-
son enough, Charlotte. I 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.
'I don't know what we are going to
do, Jerry. I have given father and
mother every cent 1 have earned by
teaching this year, bnt it has merely
paid the interest"
The young man bent over her and
took her hands. His chest heaved.
eff 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 to the worries of our
parents, would it?''
"But I love you," was his plea, and
for a moment she clung to him.
IT know" she whispered, "but we
can keep on loving-nothing shall come
between our love-Jerry."
After little while she went on
steadily:
II thought Of it as I walked along
today. 1t seemed to me that duty
stretched before me like long white
road-a weary road-and yet some
where at the end of the road was home
where could rest and be loved. Per-
haps that will 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 and happi-
ness-if we ara patient, Jerry"
"Dear heart" he whispered, and
smoothed her hair.
And after time he stood up in the
strength Of his youth.
"But I don't want to be patient" he
said restlessIy. II want to build our
nest like the birds in the spring. 1
want to put you in 1t, and keep you
safe and warm
"Rut you mustn't, Jerry"
$50 you say Then with a 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 and IN row
you across to the lily beds"
Il can't" she protested. IT must get
home and comfort them If they are
there-and PLAN
"I'm going too"
"Well, you may go with me and
carry my bag"
And SO they began their journey
along the long white road together.
At the crossroads big red motor car
passed them and stopped.
"It's Andrews" Jerry murmured as
they plodded on, "and he's coming
uack"
miss Charlotte" called the man in
the car.
Charlotte turned.
"Let me take you the rest Of the
way in my car" Andrews offered.
mo-" she said stifHy. "I'd rather
walk"