The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-05-20

What is it," she asked.
II did not expect that you would
recognize me-" said Newcomb, laugh
ing.
John? Where in the world did you
come from?" taking him by the arm
and dragging him into the hall. Good
gracious!"
"The truth is, Betty, I took to my
heels at six o'clock, and have been
riding around the country ever since"
He sent her a penetrating glance.
Come in to the fire." she cried, i'm
pulsively. You are cold and wet and
hungry"
"Only wet" he admitted as he en-
tered the cheerful library. He went
directly to the blazing CRATE and
spread out his red, wet, aching hands.
He could hear her bustling about; it
was a pleasant sound. A chair rolled
up to the fender; the rattle of tea
table followed. 1t was all very fine.
II ought to be ashamed to enter q
house in these reeking Clothes" he
said; "but the temptation was too
great"
"You are always welcome, John,"
softly.
His keen ear caught the melancholy
sympathy in her tone. He shrugged.
He had lost the fight. Had he won,
she would already have poured forth
her congratulations.
"Sit down." she commanded, while
ua% Tho fao ~ uyn,,1d uo,, profop
brandy%
"The tea, by all means. / do not
need brandy to bolster up my cour-
age" He sat down.
She left the room and returned
shortly with biscuit and tea. She
filled cup, put in two Jumps of sugar
and passed the cup to him.
you've a good memory" he said,
smiling at her. IT'S nice to have
ones likes remembered, even in a cup
of tea. look as If l had been to war,
don't II"
She buttered . biscuit He ate it,
not because he was hungry, but be.
cause her fingers had touched it. 1t
was q phantom kiss. He put the cup
down.
Now, which is it; have l been
licked, or have l won?"
What" she cried; do you mean
to tell me you do not know" She
gazed at him bewilderingly.
Il have been four hours in the sad
die. / know nothing, save that which
instinct and the sweet melancholy of
your voice tell me. Betty, tell me,
I've been licked, haven't /, and old
Dick has gone and done it, eh?"
The girl choked for a moment:
there was sob in her throat.
"Yes, John"
Newcomb reached over and tapped
the hearth with his riding crop, abb
sent-mindedly. The girl gazed at him,
her eyes shining in mist of unshed
tears. She longed to reach out
her hand and smooth the burrows from
his care-worn brow, to brush the melt.
ing crystals of snow from his hair:
longed to sooth the smart of defeat
which she knew was burning his
heart. She knew that only strong
men suffer in silence.
From the half-opened window the
night breathed upon them, freighted
with the far-off murmur of voices.
i confess to you that l built too
much on the outcome. am ambitious;
want to be somebody, to take part in
the great affairs of the world. fought
the very best knew how. had many
dreams. Do you recollect the verses
used to write to you when we were
children? There was always some
thing of the poet in me, and it is still
there, only it no longer develops on
paper. ! had looked toward Washing
ton even toward you, Betty"
Silence The girl sat very still. Her
face was white and her eyes large.
Il am honest. l can see now that I
have no business in politics. :"
He laughed suddenly and turned
toward the girl. II was on the verge
OF wailing. I'm licked, and l must be-
gin all over again. Dick will make a
good mayor, that is, II they leave him
alone. Whimsical, wasn't it.,
OF me, coming here to have you tell
me the news?" He looked away.
The girl smiled and held out her
hand to him, and as he did not see it,
laid 1t gently on his sleeve.
1T does not matter, John. Some day
you will realize all your ambitions.
You are not the kind of man who gives
up. Defeat is a necessary step to
greatness; and you will become great.
am glad that you came to me-" She
knew now; all her doubts were gone.
all the confusing shadows.
Newcomb turned and touched her
hand with his lips.
"Why did you come to me?" she
asked with fine courage.
His eyes widened. why did I
come to you? If had won l should
have told you. But / haven't won; I
have lost"
Does that make the difference 50
great?"
1T makes the dificulty greater"
"Tell mel" with voice of command.
They both rose suddenly, rather un-
consciously, too. Their glances held,
mAGnet and noodle-wfsA Acrosc tha