The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-02-20

sougnr Inc open air. Br1Gge anu Court
streets were brought out brilliantly by
arches of incandesccnt lights. and in
the Indian summer warmth 4 pushing
perspiring crowd made their way UP
and down The streets and jOstled each
other into the gutter, while the COP
fetti was scattered about and the
feather :icElcrs were everywhere in
evidence
With gesture Of disgust, Sugden
turned from the crowd. His mood was
not atunc to merrymaking. and he
sought the more quiet parts of the
town Almost unconsciously he took
the familiar paths that led to the little
cottage where the Grantleys had made
their home, and presently he found
himself leaning against the fence that
inclOscd the we'll kept garden Here
he lighted a cigar, and with the soft
gloom of the tree shaded yard for his
screen he projected from his fancy
scenes wherein he and Elizabeth had
figured. He could see the gay ham
ihO1h oh utlS DtANNtAA INT diDlC tree
and the horse chestnut. He could pic
turc the dainty figure in lilmy white
and could almost hear her hail of I'm
out here, Billy, in the hammock" as
the gate clicked behind him.
Then his mind conjured the vision
of the wistful faced girl leaning upon
the railing of the bridge and pleading
viii +n Ia is 4,
might make his fight free handed. He
remembered those last few moments
when he had declared that he would
have nothing more to do with a girl
who feared to face poverty with him.
and even now it seemed that he could
hear her sobs rs she had walked with
tear blinded eyes down the street.
while lie had leaned against the wall
and had watched her go without sin
gle word of comfort
Somehow the sobbing seemed strange.
ly real. 1t was almost as though
woman there in the shadow Of the
trees was letting loose the food gates
of her grief. SO real did the sound
seem that he flung away his cigar and
vaulted the low fence, making for the
direction of the sound. But. though he
expected TO find woman there under
the trees, it was with shock that he
did come face to face with a bowed
figure With upliftcd hat and muir.
INJURED offer Of service, he advanced.
but the woman moved away silently
Something in the poisc brought Sug-
dcns heart into his mouth. and, with
Il cry, he darted forward
"EliZabeth. Is it really you:" he de-
mandcd. Have found you at last"
The girl was at the gate now, and in
The light of the distant street lamp he
saw that he was right
Listen, dear" he went on. Il don't
blame YOU for wanting nothing to do
with me, but hear me only for a min
ute.
Il did not know what you intuitiYely
gucsscd-how hard the struggle would
be. | did not know the conditions. I
thought that with You to help me make
the fight | could do better. l know
now that l was wrong"
Il thought that knowledge would
come in time" said the girl softly.
Genius in garnet is Il thing of the
past Genius 10 be discovered must
live and dress well. l could not make
YOU understand that"
But | know it now" he assured
her. Il can see that alone | could live
better and at least preserve the APP
pcarance of prosperity that was my
greatest aid to advancement And
even as my error was great so is my
penitcnce. Betty. Can you find it in
your heart to forgive me, TO admit me
ut least to your friendship"
TO forgive is part of woman's life"
she said YEARLY Il had not intended
to make myself known. | just wanted
to see the Old town and the Old home
again, but you have found me out"
And this time | shall not let you
go" he said mot if | can prove how
great has been my repentance Look
dear, the Old house is for sale Nay
buy it in the hope that some Gay We
shall call it home? know | do not
deserve forgiveness. dear, but-you
said would find you waiting when !
came home
1T has been long wait" she said
softly, "a very long wait. Billy, but
have kept my promise. | have waited
alone"
Gently, almost revcrcntly. he took
her in his arms, and as his lips brush
ed the soft brown hair he realized
what some men never come to know.
the depth and beauty of wOmans
loving forgiveness. SuGden had found
the Old homeland the new.
Taking No Chances.
1T is a rule to which good lawyers