The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-07-16
u No thought) with numerous fana.

tas No thought) with numerous fans.
cies.
The acquaintance developed rapidly,
from friendship to intimacy, from in.
timacy to the inevitable. In a month
the Jig was up with young Hilson.
Fool-like, he told himself, he had gone
to work and toppled head-first in love
with girl whom he could never hope
to make his wife. He was only an OBJ.
scure lawyer, struggling for foothold,
while she was already a woman ia
nous in more than one continent!
There had been times when he almost
believed she half responded to his
feelings; but at others. realizing her
folly, had swiftly drawn back, aloof
and cold as the north star
One day he paid a desperate visit to
his friend, Mrs. Martin Bradbury. He
looked white and haggard when she
entered the parlor and she could not
repress little cry of astonishment.
Heavens, Bobbie! Whatever has
come over you?"
Since l came here for the express
/ purpose Of taking you into my conf
dence," he said vehemently, "I'll tell
you. First, why did you ever intrb-
duce her to me?" He had dropped into
the chair she indicated and was
| staring gloomily at the wall.
"Her?"
Certainly. If I'd never known her,
Of course 1 shouldn't have loved her.
Now I've got to get out before 1 make
fool of myself"
why don't you marry herr" sug-
gested Mrs. Bradbury calmly, whose
matchmaking eye had been wide open
for the past four weeks.
Marry her! Good Lord, you don't
suppose woman like that would
would look at me, do your"
Mrs. Bradbury was not so sure but
that she had seen her look at him.
my dear boy" she was about to be-
gin, when fresh, girlish voice inter-
polated from the hallway: where are
you, Mrs. Bradbury? Shall 1 come
right in?"
Bobbie Hilson cast an appealing
glance into the other woman's face.
Il can't meet her now; get me some
where, quick!" he seemed to say.
Mrs. Bradbury pushed him summar-
lily into closet piled up~ with books
and magazines, and he sank down
breathlessly on box in the dark.
Kitty laid her parasol on one chair
and threw herself dejectedly into an
other: I've cQms to tell you good-by,
Mrs. Bradbury" she said, ''I'm leaving
for Seattle tonight"
Mrs. Bradbury permitted her care
fully penciled brows to express only
casual surprise
why so suddenly?" she asked.
We'll, you see, Mrs. Bradbury,
don't mind telling you, because 1 know
you can respect confidence. But the
fact is was never cut out for
scribbler, and I've realized it in tima
l am just an everyday simpleton who
has been ridiculous enough to go and
lose her senses"
And so-you are going to be mar
ried?" the other queried sagely.
mo; l am not. The mamie really
cares for me, l believe-has been hor-
ribly deceived. For some fateful rea.
son he has gotten the idea that l am
a celebrated parsonage like himself
masquerading under nom de plume.
Of course If he knew that was only
poor little would-be he'd never even
glance my way. That's the hard part
of it," 4A~~ ..-......
"Who are you talking about, Kitty?"
Who? Who should 1 be talking
about Robbie Hilson? In letters, Ter
rell Brakeman"
At this juncture young Hilson per-
mitted his restraint to snap asunder,
and the closet door creaked ominous-
ly. 81 could not find the magazine"
he apologized quickly, hopping his
wet face with handkerchief in either
hand
Kitty had risen with little startled
cry and was hiding her blood-scorched
cheeks with her hands. Mrs. Brad
bury had vanished into thin air. Bob
bic Hilson looked at the girl suddenly
with the look that no woman ever mis-
understands, and few ever resist.
In moment, he came quite up to
ber and stood looking down upon her
with glowing eyes; then he stopped
abruptly and took her hands in his.
81 never was anybody in my life,"
he said, "but just a poor, plodding
lawyer. But I'll make up in devotion
what lack in genius, if you will only
Jet mel"
Il thought all along that you were
Terrell Blakeman," she replied, trem-
ulously.
"And II thought you were-Feli-
cia Belknap," he answered.
Good gracious, Bobbie Hilson! Fe-
licia Belknap is a hideous old maid!"
Thank Heaven for that" cried
Bobbie. And he took her in his arms.