La Junta tribune., 1909-01-16

she might have formed since last he
Eaw her. Il might he that the terrible
longing In his heart was pever 10 he
satisfied. and then the necessity for
speech became almost in,olerable. II
was here OF this that he had spoken
In the o.. fashion. ''Cynthy. s'pose We
tell what hos happened since last We
metz
And Cynthy had not resented the re-
turn TO old speech or the use OF her
name bu, had answered simply.
'S'posin'." and Lem WAS not disposed
to quarrel about the answer
But 1t was one thing 10 decide to
speak and quite another to find the
words one wanted While he was still
seeking them Cynthy said. "S'pose
Begin
Gratefully Lem accepted their re-
versed positions and answered In his
turn. .sposin'.''
Cynthy found comfortable spot and
sat down. while Lem threw himself at
her feet. Then she began in simple.
unaffected way TO tell the story. which
the man eagerly drank in. So much
depended upon that story. 1t would
either open his lips or seal them for
ever. and he knew II. He composed
himself TO listen. determined that nei-
ther by word nor look should he en-
barrnss her or make IL difficult for her
to give him this glimpse OF her life, He
could not help wondering II 1t meant
as much 10 her as To him.
There isn't n great deal 10 my
story. Lem said Cynthy. Il did not
know how fond of the old place was
until we had moved away They say
that those who are left behind feel
worse than those who go because new
things take up the attention. ! dare
say that Is true In a way at least. but
there Is a kind OF longing for old
places and old friends that is worse
than physical pain when II strikes and
that only the absentee can feel. True.
II Is not always there. One could not
stand IL II II WERE Cynthy spoke In a
reminiscent tone. more to herself than
to hi kelnd Lem felt sort Of comfort
In the knowledge that he was not the
only sufferer.
II went to school and gave my whole
attention to my books. as l had de-
termined to tit myself for Il teacher
Somehow ! think II always lay back
In my mind that should return here
some day. will not deny that the de-
sire became less conscious purpose
than subconscious dream as the
years went by. but about six months
ago it famed into purpose that would
brook no opposition"
,.,l. MI FOL Tn
thinking. Lem noted the fast chang
ing color now. and his heart sank
little. He wondered what had reused
Cynthy to the sudden determination
and whether II BODIED good or Ill for
him and his hopes. Every moment
seemed to make 1t more matter Of
life and death that he should know bis
fate.
With heightened color and eyes that
looked steadfastly at the far horizon
Cynthy resumed her story. apparently
unconscious of the anxious scrutiny OF
her companion. about year ago a
young student came to board with u.s.
As you know, l never had brother.
aud before long We became excellent
friends. 1t was very nice to have some
one TO depend upon. ever ready to do
what one needed, to play escort and
big brother That was what we both
called II at first. But It seemed to
grow to be more. and-and-why, then.
he asked me to marry him. II was
surprise to me at first. but after awhile
I thought would say yes. Then II 0c-
Cured to me that before tying myself
to promise that might not be able
to keep should see more OF life. !
was not sure could be minister's
wife, and besides did not know
whether loved him or not needed
absence to prove my feeling to myself.
SO that is why am here. ! applied
for and finally got the position OF
teacher, and here am, out with You
Just as In the old days, and 1t hardly
seems as II 1t could be six years since
then. Does II. Lem!''
Something In the question made the
young mans heart leap and the hot
blood rush to his head. He looked
sharply at Cynthy. but she appeared
to be merely wondering aloud, and
hope died down again. But 1t was time
for his story now, and. moreover, he
felt as II he could tell 1t. indeed must
tell 1t. let the outcome be what II
might.
ut seems to me. Cynthy." he said,
"that perhaps without my knowing IT
you have always been n big factor In
my life. ] had taken your friendship
as such matter of r"'r-s" mt If
thought OF 1t at all it was as = .ething
that could not be changed. Therefore
your going OF to the city that way
was q blow that stunned me. ! could