Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-08-12

WAY.
ical man, so that there might be
strength and power when needed.
That he had learned his lesson thor
oughly could be seen at the first
glimpse of him as he lay in the ham,
mock. The warm red blood that was
flowing through his veins was visible
even beneath the tan Of his cheeks, his
hand was no longer white and bony,
and his broadened shoulders and full
chest showed that deep breathing and
vigorous exercise had of late been his
daily portion. But now, strong and
full of vitality as he felt, he was anX-
ious to be at home again. He started
from the hammock and began pacing
up and down. Suddenly there came
the swish of 4 woman's skirts around
the corner of the house, and Margaret
Curtis appeared, holding q mysterious
package in her hands. With a laugh
she threw herself into a chair and eN-
claimed:
"Well, those hotel people have at last
found Your precious manuscript. Some
body put it into one of the big safes,
and they have just remembered"
Let me see the stuff" said DR.. Mere
dith as he tore off the Wrapping.
There it was-his Higher Thinking
the Basis of Nobler Living" He
glanced at a page or two and then
said with Il good natured laugh. 1T
really isn't as bad as l had fancied.
Perhaps l shall finish it some day, but
not now. am planning to write some
thing quite different this winter. 1t
will be q sort of preface to this and
will be entitled Hygiene Living the
Basis of Higher Thinking.'"
He stopped for Il moment Then
pulling a paper from his pocket he held
it toward her and said earnestly:
II want you to help me with the
book and'-slowly. ~ have been hop,
ing that YOU would let me dedicate ii
something after this fashion,"
Half hesitating the woman took the
paper that he offered her and. as she
read the words he had written. the
vivid coloring of her cheeks swept
furiously over her face and neck.
For an instant there was silence he-
tween them and then the man ex
claimed.
You are not surprised. Margaret.
You must have realized that. during
these last few weeks. l have beer
learning not only how to live but how
to love-"
rs he spoke, he leaned toward her
but the girl sprang to her feet ane
stood looking at him with a little
shadow of doubt in her eyes.
"But-you have known me so short {
time-are you sure?"
Am I sure?' Meredith laughed Joy
fully. Am I sure that the sun is IL
heaven? Am l sure that the grass Is
green and that the skies are blue? Al
to the question Of time-can you wht
know what the weeks have done fol
me physically doubt that they could
develop in my heart q strong, endur
ing love? What say you, Margaret?"
He was standing close beside he
now and was trying to look into he
eyes.
"What are you going to say to me?
He repeated his question with th,
insistance of a strong, vigorous man,
man who would not be denied his an
swer.
AS she felt his eyes upon her tn
waves Of color again flooded her face
Again she hesitated and, turning
away, said. with a little tremble in he
, voice:
IL must get back to the hotel.
have some packing to do"
MAY l not come with you?"
/ The mans voice was deep with emo
ton.
"Yes-you may come"
The words were low, but DR.. Mers
| dith heard them, and with a quic
stride he was at Margaret's side, an,
together they passed through the got
and out into the highway.