Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1910-04-01

voice. then. had power to move her
after nve long years. II WAS only for
q moment. however. She recovered
aud held out her hand.
why. Isprt." she said. and her voice
was almost n,tural. this is II pleasant
surprise"
Her tone 1T simple friendliness stag.
gered him. for be had been quick to
note the effect his greeting had on
her. hut she continued:
when did you come east:'
''Six months ago. Hut tell me about
yourself. Are you living In New
York;"
"Oh. no! am only visiting here.
My home is still in Omaha. and | am
going back tomorrow. | have been
here three whole weeks. and | shall
be SO glad to get back"
lis she perfectly inaifferent?" he
asked himself. ''IIow eau she be so
matter Of fact after all that has passed
between us:"
Once he had held her in his arms.
kissed her forehead and her lips. and
now he did not dare even to touch her
hand. Could he let her go like this:
"Do you know" he continued des-
perately. II have been thinking Of you
all afternOon:"
"Of me-" she questioned in a sur
prised tone.
YES: ! have been reading your
story. and He moved closer to her.
and his gray eyes searched hers in
silence. How we'll she remembered
that look the same look that in the
old days had seemed to read her very
soul. His eyes told her now. as they
did then. all that he would say. much
that was otherwise ilIeXpresSible. and
her face flushed crimson. He had
been reading her story into which she
had put SO much of the long ago
their long ago. What had it told him:
What d" YOU think Of it," she
asked as carelesSl; rs she could.
Harry makes fun Of my writin. and
says ii is
Harry" he interrupted. his face
paling.
"YeS; my husband. You remember
Harry Rogcrs:''
And then lie showed Of what lie was
mace. Yes" he answered quietly.
but | did not know you were mar
ried."
"Wby. ] have been married for three
years. II you ever come to Omaha you
will come and see us. won't you! IIar-
ry would be glad to renew old asSo
ciati"ns. and ! want you to sec my lit
ny nt
voice trembed and hesitated ever so
slightly. and then she went on with |:
brave little smile. I'VE call him--Bert.'
The last word was said almost in a
whisper. and just for one instant her
little gloved hand rested on his. and he
noticed that her lips trembled. He
looked earnestly into the blue eyes.
II shall try to come some time" he
said gently as he held her hand for Il
moment at parting. ''Goodby! God
bless and keep you, little woman
The old name slipped from his lips al
most unawares.
She smiled and went out into the
gathering dusk.
Il have been dreaming" he said to
himself an hour later as he rose. with
a shiver. and brushed his hand quickly
across his eyes. II have been dream
ing. and this is the awakening. She
called her baby Bert. l wonder All.
well. women are Queer:' But there
was look OF weary longing in the
gray eyes as he mingled with the hur-
rying crowds on Broadway.
A week later a woman knelt by
tiny cot and stroked u baby's golden
curls. Bert. Bert" she whispered.
God bless you. dear. and make you nx
happy as you deserve" Something
glistcncd on the baby's cheek. Could
It have been tear? Perhaps she
prayed for her boy aud perhaps Yes.