Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1911-07-06

poor mans wife; 1t would be hardt
for you than for me- | do not kno
how to work or to manage; the othe
girls in our office live well with whf
keeps me poorly. 1t isn't that | d
not try; 1t simply isn't possible to mi
l would be willing to starve with yo'
or for you, Herbert, but am not will
ing to keep you starving the rest
your life!"
Her voice had ceased to tremble.
But if | should prefer starving TO
you, to affluence without you?" h
asked quietly.
She drew back into the depth Of tn
great coat sobbing softly.
1T would be Madness" she said a
last. Il am going to end it all. an
going back south"
you cannot go back there, t.
work." he cried. You have not con
sidered."
NO not to work" she murmured.
you mean," he hesitated, there
is-another mani"
YES" very family.
With money!"
yes"
The fingers he crushed in his owr
were ice He withdrew his hand
| slowly, and there was a long silence
You will let me take you to my
aunt?" he asked, as they neared the
little station that was their destina
ton.
"Oh, MOI" She shivered in the warm
coat
Then at least you must let me see
you safely to the hotel"
The rush of chill air as they left the
car, the dark. mean little street, the
damp, dusty parlor were an unhappy
dream to her The clasp of his hands
and his quiet, kindly goodbye left her
dizzy and weak.
All night she lay upon her hard bed
in miserable consciousness.
And though the grudging morning
brought neither warmth nor sunlight,
there came a big box of expensive
flowers to her humble little room with
the card of the man with money.
"Oh, l ought to be glad for them"
she thought contritely, conscious of
her Indifference Il must learn to ac-
cept the pleasures that come along my
path"
Laden with the fragrant beauties,
she made her way sadly to the humble
corner where her father had been
laid for his last, long rest. Already
flags were fluttering in the crisp wind
over the graves of the soldiers whose
would be honOred later in
the day.
At sight of the spot, the girls
precious, costly burden dropped un-
needed to the ground The corner
was sweet with delicate spring bios
SONS that crowded the place for room
the dear, oId-fashion things that
used to bloom in the old Virginia
garden. With sob she dropped to
her knees and buried her face among
The tender leaves.
What if they were only humble
ilies-of-the-valley, and tulips and hya-
,inths? A love and thoughtfulness
md labor that no money could buy
had planted them there for her sake.
With their fragrance, she seemed to
lraw in a great, understanding lesson
hat healed her heart
When she saw the solitary, tall fig
Ire across the quiet place, she knew
The had expected him.
Herbert" she said, holding out her
lands
He took them In silence, looking at
Ter radiant face. /
81 did not understand, dear" she
miled bravely. 81 did not have faith
nough to see beyond the material
hings, to see that you would love me
or what l tried to do for you, not for
What succeeded in doing"
"My dear, my dear!" he whispered,
olding her close.
She clung to him happily.
Il must not let you make a mistake
do anything you will regret, dear
frl!"
Il am not afraid any more, Her
ert. Wherever we are together is
ONE, whether under cloud or sun
hinel"
From the village came the sound of
rum and fife calling the pathetic
emnant of veterans together.
Father will be glad to know" she
smiling tenderly. that |
ared to"
Face the music" finished the
oung man. happily
A Monument Fund.