The Dolores star., 1909-12-03

need,-but you, dear. You are my
good angel. ! never went to her with
any OF my worries. I talked to her
| only Of tribes that touched my real
life and interests not at ALL II is you
who have been good comrade and
helper and adviser to me all my life.
And l have been a blind fool, running
| after will-othe-wisps. and turning my
back to the steady shining OF my guild
ing light. Your love is what need,
dearest-my heart calls for you a. II
never did for any one else Tell me,
Elizabeth" and even as he held out
his hands pleadingly to her the inter.
ruption came. 1t was a message for
Jimmie. The messenger had been to,
his own home, learned that he was
calling on Elizabeth. and sought him
there. He met the servant in the hall.
and heard by word Of mouth the mes
, sage that was too urgent to wait for
written words.
| please sir. will you come to Ford
hams at once? It's Miss Alice-sho
was driving and the horses bolted,
and threw her out She IL terribly
hurt-the doctor says he can't tell II
she will live. And she keeps asking
I for you all the time. He said You
should come at once,-that II might
give her bit more Of a chance, SIR"
Jimmie turned back to the room he
, had Just left. to face Elizabeth. They
were both very white: but she found
voice first.
you must go. and do your part.
You will not fail her now-nor my
ideal Of you. Jimmie" And that last
i word decided II. He turned away that
he might not look into her brave.
white face. and answered huskily:
Il will 60. and try to do what Is
right. But oh. Elizabeth" and he
stood helplessly. She laid . gentle
hand on his arm.
! "Hurry-and be brave. Come back
to me when you can-I would like to
hear" and he interrupted passion
ately.
| Il will come at the first possible
moment" and hurried away after the
departed messenger.
An hour later he came back. Eliza
beth met him eagerly, drew him into
the old seat, and demanded the news,
with carefully modulated tones Of
sympathy.
"She is better-improving every
minute. ! might have come away half
an hour ago. II l had not stayed SO
as not to seem heartless over II. But
was 30 happy that ] could not stay
another minute longer. and ran away"
Il am very glad to hear 1t. Jimmie.
M w, oh hA d
the matter, I am sure. So she 10 out
Of danger. you are sure?'
"Oh, yes. no question of II. She was
not hurt half SO badly as they thought,
you know. ! tell you l was glad to
hear that she had come out of the
hysterical condition that made her
seem SO bad. And Elizabeth" but
she spoke hastily. and still stifiiy.
And feel sure that It is in order
to congratulate you on your renewed
engagement. Your happy face shows
that you have made 1t all right be-
tween you. as said was sure you
could. Perhaps this accident was .
good thing for you both, you know.
You see ! am a pretty wise sort Of
old maid adviser. after all, am not ?"
She smiled. but 1t was a weak reflec-
tion of her usual bright smile for
Jimmie. He stared at her with q pug
zled, amazed look, for a moment, then
burst suddenly into ringing laugh.
"Elizabeth-you are jealous l have
blundered in the telling Of my story
the story hurried away. and hur-
ried here. to tell. But I blundered
from the great Joy Of 1t. The circum-
stances are happier. for you and me.
than you think. have not seen Alice
II am not going to see her. l went
there because you sent me; but when
arrived in fear and trembling.
heard such good news that 1t fairly
went to my head. Alice refused alb
solutely to see me, when l was an
nounced. She also declared her in
tention, quite plainly. of never seeing
me again, II she. can help It. They
explained. very gently, lest they hurt
my already lacerated feelings. that
her calling for me was bit Of hys-
terics which she promptly disavowed
as soon as she had recovered a little.
She does not love me, nor want me.
Elizabeth, dearest, you will take pity
on poor outcast, won't you? came
back to you SO happy. SO glad Of the
story could tell you. You will not
mar my gladness now. will you. dear.
sweetheart-confidante
And from the light that came into
the face Of the girl as she held out her
hands to him. he read his answer. be-
fore her lips spoke It.
/