The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-04-02

10 get the checks, 40 Longer cndErlcs
her wits 20 kscp up the supply. I
has been easy 10 ASK for check 10
cash on the plea she had TO send son'
money 10 a friend. and checks wcr'
easier than money orders
Alya was still uncertain, From i'url
tan ancestors she had inherited od'
notions of right aud wrong, aud Il dlt
not seem fair 10 sell 20 her patron,
pictures that few weeks ago hat
been regarded with supercliious seorr
by the dealers 10 whom she submitted
them. Under Sally's nssiduous coach
ing she was becoming used 10 II. large
iy because there WAS no way out OF II
II was not until Geoffrcy Marsdcn ap
peared upon the scene that her protest
against the slight deceit became strong
Marsden was a clean cut young Eel
low, far less aware OF the importance
OF his millions than were most OF his
associates. Ho was doing squire duty
20 some OF his friends az one OF Alva's
studio teas. Thereafter tho young man
became frequent visitor TO the coyy
studio with the simple lettering ''Miss
vallhali'' In black upon the door.
Marsden was not one TO LET the gras'
grow under his feet and In less thar
three months he had proposed mar
riage. For nm instant Alya's soul seem
ed filed with gladDcss, then she re-
membered with sinking heart that the
success which had attracted her lover
was all a sham, fabrication Of Sally
Peterson aud herself. Gently she with.
drew the hand he was pressing TO his
lips and rose from her chair
II am sorry" she said duly. Il did
not realize whittier we were drifting
II was wrong of me to permit matters
10 go so far. Forgive me-"
She raised her big, lustrous eyes to
his white, tense face and held on her
hand In token OF dismissal.
rs 1t that you do not love mer' he
urged. "Is II because OF some fault OF
mine that you say nor he asked.
"You can learn to love me, dear. The
fault might be explained away"
"No, no." she cried ut is not that.
II Is because--I cannot explain. Plcnse
do not ask me to explain" She pushed
him from her and sank sobblng upon
the Turkish dlvan.
For moment Marsdcn watched her
undecidedly. lie longed to take her in
bis arms and comfort her, TO Insist up
on an explanation in the hope OF clear.
ing away the trouble; but, manllke. he
could not combat tears, so he stole
softly out.
Alva heard him go, and she gave
way TO fresh accession OF grief,
which presently exhausted her, and
she fell into troubled slumber.
From her sleep she was reused by a
knocking upon the door. and almost
before she realized she had called Out
"Come In" and Geoffrey stood before
her.
II met that little friend OF yours
down the street." he explained awk.
wardly. "and she called me n fool for
leaving you before found ant what
the trouble was, so came back" he
added.
Il begged you not 10 ask" Alva re-
minded trcmulously.
But Miss Peterson said to insist" he
countered. "She IL tremendously
clever little woman"
Il am sorry ever met her" cried
Alya passionately. Then ] might
have been a success upon my own ac-
count and not creature Of deceit.
Can you love me knowing that my sue
cess is wholly false, an acted lief
"You mean that some one else paints
your plcturesT be demanded. u don't
care about the pictures It's you !
want. little girl | don't care who did
the pictures"
ITS not so bad as thatp' she cried,
at the suggestion. And then,
slowly and sobbingly, she told, bit by
bit, how she and Sally had turned the
tide. The sun set and darkness set
tied down, yet neither seemed aware
of the gathering dust
"And that's how my success was
cried Alva as the recital was
concluded. "Now you understand why
/ cannot marry you. You, with your
upright business ways, would forever
iespise me-"
Tt's merely advertisement" said
with a laugh, Is this the
dreadful skeleton In the closet that Ii
10 keep us forever npartf"
isn't II enough?' she demanded
"Do you know how the Marsden
soap works were startedT he asked
"Werc making soap for all the world
now, and good soap too. But the first
factory was a kettle In our back yard.
We all used to work It In the evenings.
and during the day we three boys,
Eddie and my brother George. who
lied, used to 90 into groceries and ask
FOR the soap, and father would sell
them a boz, and that boz would bring
new orders. Success creates success.
We, too, turned the tide"
"And don't you bate me for the de-
,eptionY she asked 10 whisper.
Hate your be repeated tenderly.
As though could ever hate you,
Iearl am most profoundly grateful
o Miss Peterson for making you a
discovery no early. Think OF the hap
)y years we might have missed
ut seemed almost dishonest" she
whispered. Il thought
But Marsden stopped her words with
! kiss.
I'VE have turned the tide again he
aid. let US not think OF the tides
hat have ebbed and flowed"
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