The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-05-22

influence. But come and join me in
a little supper tonight, and tell me
what luck you had with Lorton-you
must.' handing Merrill his address.
Well, then, l will, thank you. ma
jor. But this is my corner. Au re-
voir"
Who is he, major?" asked an &C
quaintance, as Merrill left the car.
"Old acquaintance-Clau Merrill,
from down South. Quite a grandee
once-down on his luck now, and seek
ing government work"
"Oh, ah?-I wish him luck!" and
the subject dropped, but the major
looked forward impatiently to the lit
tie supper that night
The old days had their pain and
their charm for him, too; for, unknown
to all. the major-it had been plain
captain then-had secretly cherished
an affection for the beautiful girl who
had, as he said, "a song-bird in her
white throat" But Claude Merrill had
monopolized her so completely that
every one else seemed quite out of
the running.
And he let her go. after all, the
fool" the major muttered to himself,
as he impatiently awaited his guest
that evening.
The door opened. Through the curl
ing blue smoke of his cigar he saw
Claude MerrilPs face, pale, strangely
excited.
Congratulate met" he cried, in n
strange voice.
With all my heart" and they shook
hands.
Tell me all about it." cried the
major.
Wei. I saw the Senator. He was
very kind. l am successful beyond
my hopes. get a good berth in the
Pension Department with a big sal
ary!"
NO wonder You book excited! Why,
man alive, your face is pale, your
eyes wild, as if you had seen a ghost.
Perhaps have, major"
He drew a deep breath as he light
ed a cigar and threw back his hand
some head. His gray eyes glittered
strangely.
The ghost I care most to hear
about is Lila Lake said the soldier.
You promised this afternoon, you
know"
yes. l will tell you ALL" said Mer-
rin. "Hark to the wind. how it raves!
A stormy night, my friend"
Yes, yes; but it cannot penetrate
here, and supper win be served pres
emily. Let us have the story first.
Why did you not marry Lila? A Low,
er's quarrel?"
No"
Then why the deuce"
Softly, major. Your excitement
makes me suspicious"
"A fig for your suspicious! l loved
Lila Lake myself! There. thought
you meant to marry her or / would
have offered her my hand"
Y wish you had, Major Graves. I
was better match perhaps then, as
money goes, but your heart was the
truer. Listen, then, and despise me"
Outside the winter wind raved Wild
", moaning along the broad avenues
like a dirge. The two men gazed at
each other eagerly
You know my family, Major Graves.
The best blood ran in our veins, and
We were rich, too. was catch in
those days"
"Yes."
And when l fell in love with Lila
Lake, who was summering in the
White Mountains, I never dreamed
but that she was Of my own rank in
life Young, lovely, gifted, she was
my ideal, and you know I spared no
pains to win her heart"
And you succeeded, said the ma
ior, with a groan.
Yes, her beautiful dark eyes and
every tone of her sweet voice when
she spoke to me told me that. l was
so sure Of her answer / was in no
hurry to speak, and the day that she
| left to return to the city / told her
should follow her the next week, and
asked permission to call on her at
her home"
Yes"
1 she looked at me with such a
sweet and trusting smile and gave
me a card with her address. 1t was
on such an obscure street that loos.