The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-06-29

uSsSs VIC udppy WIN 8uyOuc else, 0OI
will David. He's q splendid young
fellow. Don't I know? Wasn't ! with
his mother the night he was born,
and haven't ! watched him grow up
from baby to man? And haven't I
watched you grow up. too? And I love
you both. I've tried to have you care
for each other because I felt that was
as 1t should be. And now you've let
that little trollop Of q Doris Kennedy
come between you! oh. ! know what
folks say about me-that ! am . med
ding OF matchmaker"
"Peacemaker. aunt Hope" Elsie had
laughed. TREMENDOUSLY.
Well. then. peacemaker. I hope I
am. Blessed-you know what the
Bible says. But amt sure of that
unless you'll let me make peace BE-
tween you and David"
Some day." Elsie had half prom
ised. That was a year ago. Then
they had met at aunt Hopes fu-
neral ard had not spoken. Afterward
David had gone back to the city to his
work and Elsie had gone hers in the
little country town. As far as she
knew now. her romance was ended:
There was no aunt Hope to advise
and gently smooth away the difficult
~. But. oh. the sweetness and the
bitterness Of II fingered with her like
mingled myrrh and honey. She had
loved David-she loved him still-and
must 60 on loving him as long as she
lived. But she had the Bennett tenn
per. He had 1t. too. far back some
where. couple Of generations ago. a
certain marriage had made them kim
She would not give up. Neither would
he. And 1t was all because she had
not liked his city cousin. Doris Ken
nedy. and he had! Perhaps down In
her heart Elsie had been a bit jeal-
Gus OF the blonde young woman who
looked as II she had been run in an
exceedingly slender mold. and had
never SO much as bent her back since
an effect obtained. 1t was said. by
means OF an exacting dressmaker
Elsie was far too natural to admire
Doris immobility. loads of false hair
and layers Of pink and white powder.
And she had told David SO in q none
too pleasant way.
But her heart is all right" he had
stoutly. Doris Is a good girl
"Envious!" cried Elsie. scarlet
with rage. So the quarrel had be-
gun.
AS she sat there now In the empty
room Elsie owned to herself sadly that |
she had been unreasonable. After all,
Doris was David's own cousin and |
older than he. There had been no rea- |
son in the world for her being jealous |
AS she had been; res. she had to 3D. |
NIT that now.
II only had listened to aunt
Hope. II only I had let her make
peace as she wished"
A crash at the hack of the house
startled her. A window had fallen!
She sprang to her feet Steps were |
coming toward her through the horse !
heavy steps-a mans. Now they
we're In the kitchen-now the dining |
room. She plunged toward the door
hat opened into the little front entry.
L was locked. She tugged at 1t fran.
tically. Heaven! To be shut In this
house with q tramp. Still tusging,
with futile desperation. at the unyield-
ng door she looked back over her
shoulder Just as the invader appeared
n the parlor door-a tall young fel.
low In q respectable ulster. Who
ooked almost as white and shaken N
The knew she was.
"Elsie!" he exclaimed Great
SCOTT"
David" she gasped. And half fell
'gainst the supporting door. They
stared at each other. the color slowly
coming back to their faces.
Did you get in at the pantry win.
low. too" Elsie asked. when she
Ould.
He nodded.
Il remembered that aunt Hope was
'lways going to have 1t fixed and
ever did What are you doing here.
!lsie'" He came close to her.
What are you?''
j came because ! had to- ] felt
8 If vas being called"
David. That's Just the way !
elt."
Their eyes sought each others,
wondering. Then their
ands met.
Forgive me. Elsie. was wrona."
e ialtered.
Forgive me. David. ! was wrong.
Do"
They chung together.
Il didn't care for Doris- But she
las my cousin"
Il know. ! know"
She Vas In his arms now. And he
ad kissed her.
David" Elsie said. from bis shout
IT. sOlemnly. do you suppose-tbat
he. aunt Hope. drew Us here today"
Ills eyes had the look OF one who
As been very nea: the holy things.
Who knows" he answered. yery
~. "Rlessed are the peacemakers!"