Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-09-11
Or the Long
White Road.
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted. 1893. by Associated
Literary Press.

There had been no one at the station
to meet her. and she's had started ont
brayely to walk the two miles that Law
between the town and her country home.
At first she stepped lightly, upIifted
by the freshness OF the wind that
blew from pale green meadows and
brown piowed fields and reyeling I'm
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 n bench by
the gateway and took OF her hat.
There, i knew l couldn't make a
mistake about that head OF hair" said
voice over the fence.
Charlotte turned quickly
why, Jerry, Jerry" she cried. 81
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. 81 don't see why 1 shouldn't
talk about 1t"
RED hair" she told him. 'is never
pretty" \
yours isn't red" he insisted stoutly:
Its coppery-gold and red
What's the matter at homer she
demanded. ignoring the compliment.
mo one came to meet me-"
He looked down at her solieitously.
Hasn't any one told your"
She turned pale.
mo. Is anybody siok ?"
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 II he could help out.
don't believe they knew you were
coming on this train. I didnt or I'd
have come down after you"
But Charlotte was not listenina
Andrews is going to foreclose?' she
faltered. did he tell the reasonY"
mo. Your father says he just wrote
that he couldn't wait any longer Cor
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,
Yes. he dared sh> continued. she
told me that he knew DE was much
older than I and that he hadn't much
education. but he had q big house and
horses and automobiles, and be knew
that he could make me happy, as I
was poor and teaching school. and my
family were In debt or course he
didn't sly II just that way. but he
meant it,
"An4-you refusedf" The young
mans lips wese set In a straight IIne.
"Of course. I don't love him. Jerry"
The boys face cleared. That's rea-
son enough. Charlotte. think IL
should give mp II you married any one
else
A deep stain OF sed touched the girls
cheeks. bot she went ON quietly.
II don't know what we are going To
| do, Jerry. I have given father and
mother every cent have earned NJ
teaching this year. but II has merely
paid the interest"
The young man bent over her and
took her hands. His chest heaved.
IF 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 10 add to the worries OF our
parents. would itT'
But love you." was his plea, and
for moment abe chung to him.
Il know" she whispered. "but we
can keep on loving-nothing shall come
between our love--Jerry."
After q little while she went on
steadily:
Il thought OF It as walked along
today. II seemed to me that duty
stretched before me like long white
ROAD weary road-and yet some
where at the end OF the road was home
where I could rest and be loved. Per.
haps that will be the way with our
lives. Jerry. There will be weary
road TO travel. but In the end we shall
have our home. and love and happi-
ness-ff We are patient. Jerry"
Dear heart" he whispered. and
smoOthed her hair
And after a tm0 he stood I'D In the
strength OF his youth.
"But l don't want TO be patient" he
said restlessly. II want to build our
nest like the birds In the spring. |
want to put you In II. and keep you
safe and warm
ABut you mustn't. Jerry"
$50 you say Then with q 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. at must get
home and comfort them IL they are
there-and PLAN
I'm going too"
swell. you may go with me and
carry my bag"
And so they began their journey
along the long white road together.
At the crossroads a big red motor ear |
passed them and stopped
sIts Andrews" Jerry murmured as |
they plodded on, 'tand he's coming |
back"
Miss Charlotte" called the man In
the car.
Charlotte turned.
LET me take you the rest Of the
way In my car" Andrews offered.
No." she said stif1y. I'D rather
walk