The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-10-22
An Old Sweetheart
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Naomi is always cheerful - too
cheerful golden.haired little Idllia4d
says sometimes petulantly. But then
Naomi is thirty, and It Is years that
bring the phil0sophic mind
Eighteen years ago. when Naomi
was twelve. she had received baby
Lilliard. her newborn stepsister. as a
legacy from the hands OF a dying
mother mild
When. ten years later their father
gay. debonair Ernest Romer. --latest
and most charming OF men and artists.
had followed his wife. leaving her two
children utterly unproyided for. Naomi
had quietly and naturally slipped into
the position OF breadwinner and house
provder Then had come a lover. too
poor TO provide for both Naomi and
Lilliard Then he had gone away TO
make a fortune in distant lands. and
for eight years Naomi had never heard
OF him
There comes ring at the doorbell.
and little Alice Sparrow. Naomfs
maid OF all work. puts in her head TO
say, a gentleman for you, please.
miss"
Naomi rises in surprise as a tall
wellbuilt man. with a sunburned com
plexion and head of tawny hair. en-
tiers and, stridng to her side. takes
her hand.
Naomi. have YOU forgotten me-
Martin Colquhoung
For a moment the room swims round
Naomi but the next she has recovered
herself and is saying quite calmly
how IL astonishes her TO hear her own
voice
How do YOU do did not know
vou were in Washington"
Il only came yesterday. he says
eagerly. so you see | have not lost
much time. ! found out your address
In the directory What a grand insti-
tuition it is, Naomi, you are not
changed Am II"
She smiles a little Il would know
you. but YOU are changed"
Il shall tell you all by and by he
saws. and at that moment Lilliard
rushes in
Marie is out Is il not a shame e.
Then she pauses. blushing. and Naomi
introduces the two.
$50 YOU are Lilliard?" says Martin
ColQuhoun. smiling Il remember you
as tiny girl in short dresses. who az
ways searched in my pockets for choc-
plates Are YOU as fond 81 them yet"
Il believe am. SAYS Lilliard laugh
ing Then she sits down. and SO does
Martin C0lquhoun. and they spend a
pleasant. even gay. evening together.
Martin telling them OF all the dangers
be has passed I'M the search for for
tune which il seems. he has found.
Martin Colquhoun calls again and
g fn.n f~saa
when Naomi plays. and he and Lillia-d
sit in the window together. He calls
in the afternoon and takes them driy-
ing in the park and 70 Mount Vernon
and be and Lilliard generally sit to-
Eether and do most OF the talking
And occasionally he takes them 10
concert or the opera. And every day
Naomi feels that the trial Of her life
is drawing near.
But why should she grufge it, She
loves Lilliard She -alss-Mar-
tin. She desires the happiness Of both
AS for her. il only means that her sky
will grow little grayer. her life lit
tie emptier. but at thirty, she tells her
self. one does not feel the pain so
keenlv as at twenty.
One evening he calls. LilliaTd is out
and Naomi alone He looks strangely
nervous.
Il have called to tell you | shall
have TO say goodby, he said abruptly
II am going away on Monday.
Going away" Naomi echoes faint
~
Yes. for four years My business
requires me. And have come tonight
TO say something that means great
deal TO me-that an my future happi-
ness depends on-Miss Romer"
Naomrs heart is still. The blow is
coming. then
81 think can guess what il is" she
says. wondering II her voice sounds
strange and unnatural Mr. Colqu-
houn. I will DO the most I can / de-
sire your happiness as much as-as
Lilliard's"
He SEXES her hands
Then you are willing You have
have thought Of it2" he asks, little
unsteadily.
Il have no right 10 be anything
else" she answers smilingly III Lii
lizard is willing. that is all YOU require
"Lilliard2 I do not understand YOU.
Naomi What has Lilliard 10 do with
it, Don't you understand. dear. that
I love YOU more-yes. a thousand
fold more-than ever. Naomi. IL was
not my fault that I have been silent
all these years My letter-the last
one-was returned. marked Left-no
address But | have never ceased
thinking OF you. and now I want you
as my wife Naomi Naomi. after wait
ing all these years. am 70 be disap-
pointed AT the last2"
"Oh. stop" Naomi cries. a little
wildly Il thought It vas Lilliard
YOU cared for, not me"
"Lilliard," lie grows holder then
and. drawing her within his arms. lays
her sweet face against his breast
Why. Lilliard and | are very good
friends. but she knows the truth.
Naomi My darling is that why you
have been so cold 20 me- ! have
sometimes thought the past was dead
70 you--dead and bnried--you were so
cold But IL is not SO. Naomi? You
still love me. my sweetheart OF long
ago."
And Naomi's answer though too low
for any ears but his To hear. is evil
IDENTIFY heard by Martin Colquhoun. for
he bends his head and then and there
triumphantly kisses her american