Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1911-12-28

10 II WIN BE- three long hours DSfofS
I can talk to you, but promise you
that I am going to talk then"
Mrs. Carroll noted with satisfac-
ton that not turn, Of her visitors
head was lost to Heiskell. He ap-
peared to listen to those about him,
but he watched every movement Of
the girl at the other end Of the table
Once when some passage in one Of
her letters had made him reminiscent
and tender. he had written her of his
need for her and his devotion to her,
saying that she would have to marry
him, for she was the only woman In
the world who would be able and
willing to put up with him. He
recalled now she had answered with
customary promptness that he must
not mistake friendship for love, since
no man could love a woman who lived
a great distance from him. Letters.
che said, were impersonal things and
might or might not be indicative Of
ones real self. Therefore, she con-
cluded, propinquity was the only rea-
sonable cause for love. Looking
across the table at her, Heiskell won
dered how he had been able to live
for a whole year without hearing from
her. She had shown no resentment
over his apparently silent negligence
when she met him and he began to
question her attitude. Did she no
longer care? Had he been crowded
out of her life by her interest In her
work or was there man who had q
right to what he became suddenly
aware of wanting tremendously?
81 wasn't expecting to see you yes
terday," he said when they had man.
aged to slip away for little while.
yet after caught sight of shoulders
that looked like yours, never
thought of anything else in the world
but you. l wired you twice last night.
That sounds strange after year OF
silence, doesn't It, Mary?"
you were always little peculiar.
Bob. had learned before the year
OF silence never to question"
do you mean that you have never
doubted me--never?" He was incred'
ulous at her woman's faith.
1T hurt, Bob, to think that after all
these years of friendship. you could
fail me, but never allowed myself to
doubt. Always, came the belief that
some day you would explain"
1.-THE day has come. and wonder If
you are going to be able to see things
from my standpoint! l am suddenly
conscious of a great and overwhelm-
ing desire to keep your faith In me at
any cost"
well. tell me your side Of the
story"
1.-The day your letter came, the one
! never answered. l went to pieces
financially. wasn't brave enough to
acknowledge It to you for fear OF dis
dissipating the faith you held in my
ability"
"Oh, Bob, the very time you needed
me most, you cast me aside for foolish
pride. Then" she asked timidly, you
learned to do without me? You for
got?"
Never No man deserves the
friendship of woman like you; but
before this crash came, even dared
to hope that could be able to make
you love me. Life had possibilities,
the future was rosy with my dreams
when an alien hand reached out and
dashed my hopes to the ground like
a house OF cards on the sands. l am
afraid that have grown bitter trying
to school myself to do without you.
And now, now know that my loss OF
money would not have separated u.s."
do you care-for me-now?" asked
the girl courageously.
Care? Oh, how do care!"
There was soft rustic of silk and
two hands slipped into his.
when you turn, you will find me
where have always been. waiting for
you" whispered the girl breathlessly.
Il can be poor with YOU"
But you don't have to be poor"
cried the man springing up to clasp
her in arms that had ached for her;
my luck turned yesterday when you
came back into my life. VIII you
marry me tomorrow"
II told Mrs. Carroll that wanted
to be a maverick and run free for q
while, but I guess | didn't know how
much wanted to be branded by you
when | came"