The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1909-08-19
mean, he Is In nc trouble" She cor
rected herself hastily.

mean, he Is In no trouble" She cor
rected herself hastily.
There's something wrong there" he
reflected rs he retraced his steps to-
ward the station, why didn't the
boy tell me in his last letter that he
was going away? Is IT possible that
the young cub has managed to dis
grace himself and lett his sweet little
sister to bear the burden? But. OH.
I'm sure he's not that kind. A few
inquiries In the village might-but
Charles Barton is no spy. I'll let the
matter drop for Il few days; then I'll
try again to gain the shrinking con-
fidence Of John Quilts sister. And
woe to those who are ut the bottom Of
the trouble"
But when. four days later. he mount
ed the hill that led to the village he
was forced to confess that the interest
which he felt in John Quilts sister far
In respect to the youth. The girls
sweet face vas ever before him.
AS he entered the village he came
face to face with the girl Of his
thoughts. She was coming out of a
big house. and she carried a huge bun
d~le-sewing. he rightly judged as he
FASTENED to relieve her Of 1t. The RI.
Gsant blush with which she thanked
him Barton took as a favorable sign.
i've come back" he said eagerly.
I'm so glad-I mean." as she de-
tected the look that leaped into his
eyes. I'm glad Of this chance to con-
fess in person something that has been
worrying me greatly. | was going to
write She was interrupted by the
postmistress. who. taking advantage
of her position to crafty a very natu-
raj curiosity, came running out on her
porch.
Hey" she shouted. Here's a let
ter for YOU" frantically waving the
missive in question. Barton stepped
forward to take it. and in doing so his
eyes inadvertently fell or the super
scriptiou. He read no farther than the
name. but there was a question In his
eyes when they met hers. She answer
ed it bravely.
Eyes. 1t is mine. My name is Jonquil
March. There never Il a John
Quill" She was walking faster. and
her face was very red.
"Why did you do it," he asked sim
ply.
Because my life here was so des-
perately lonely after mother. who was
all ! had. died. Oh, l don't suppose
that you'll understand! But I've al
ways louged for the great west. where
l was born. but which | scarcely re-
member. AT first it was Il desire to
know it better that made me drift into
the correspondence. and | continued
with it because | came to enjoy 1t for
it's own sake" she concluded with I'M
conscious abandon.
But the Photograph Barton
CROPPED.
ut was taken after some theatricals
several years ago." she explained.
She" pointing back toward the post
office, never suspected, because ! used
to do newspaper corresponding under
the name of John Quill" They were
at her gate. Il do not expect your
forgiveness" she faltered.
DO you know why l came back 2" he
demanded.
NO." Jonqui's tongue faltered. but
her eyes told Il different story.
Because [. love you" he declared
masterfully. and because | want to
marry you and take you with me to
the great west you love so well. Say
that you love me, too, if only a little
bit" he pleaded.
But the trick" she t%emporiZed.
How can you ~forgive'-
BLESS the trick" interrupted Barton
joyously. why fight with it when it
has been the means of bringing me a
wife?"