Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-07-06
You mustn't so until Doyle comes
in. for he might see you on the street."

"You mustn't so until Doyle comes
IN. for he might see you on the street.
warned Valentine. when he comes
you can go out through the vault
room and make your getaway while
I stall him here"
In talking with Avery. Jimmy Val
entine unconsciously fell into the use
of the vernacular of his early voca-
ton.
With a parting handshake Avery
went OF into the vault room, where
Red was to exhibit to him the big
new safe. The assistant cashier, now
that the tray of money had been re-
placed on the table. picked up the
photograph. hung it in the place of
another affixed to the wall at the
right of his desk and inspected it
with pronounced satisfaction.
The hall door opened. and Rose Lane
came into the office. The girl was in
a peculiar mood that day-there was
no denying it. Valentine had always
found his benefactor. young though
she was. particularly difficult to faith
ON. and today she was more battling
than ever, She talked at length re-
garding her plans for the children's
Christmas celebration. and, standing
before his desk. while he stood behind
it, she said. and l want to know
what you want for Christmas"
"Is there anything 1 could want?:"
he answered in low tones. think of
what you and two short years have
done for me-"
And there's lever anything more
you want? Don't you yer dream
dreams of. say, two years more" She
turned her eyes to the floor.
"Oh, yes, to go on as I've been going
these last two. since your father gave
me a position Of trust, and make ev
%erything good and pile up the money
for you"
She drew away from him.
Haven't you ever thought there
might be something I want more than
money!"
Valentine hesitated. His voice be
came intensely serious.
II don't let myself think of you only
as your employee" he finally answer
ed.
Rose turned sideways to him. SO
that he could not see her face as she
delivered her next question. although
she would have given much to have
been able to watch the expression OF
the assistant cashier-her assistant
cashier-as she asked it.
But" she ventured, you must have
thought that I would marry some
day.
Silence. with Valentine fumbling il
embarrassment a pencil which lay
upon his desk.
"Yes-T"- he began, but Rose con
t1nued his sentence for him.
"And it hurts you to think Of it
doesn't it? Say it."
eyes"
"Go on"
He could endure the situation M
longer. The girl had penetrated hi!
very soul with her questions, had I'm
covered in Jimmy Valentine the Sc
crets Of his new life-the secrets
which he had resolved to keep buried
forever. But now he must speak. III
must tell her the truth about his sit
uation as regarded her-part of tn,
truth. at least.
"And the thought of you brings
darkness, desolation," he said, keep
ing a firm grip on the emotions tina
threatened to unnerve him. "What i
the use? You're all there is to live TO
to just see you now and then. YOUR
all there is to life. Men have lovet
and slaves have loved and animal
that have been saved have loved, bu
never were the three loves fused il
one. And you're good, and your life il
clean. while mine-but you know al
that" He inclined his lace from her
II have forgotten" she said simply
"You cannot. And any day the shad
ow of other days may fall. But I wan
you to know this and believe it a
your God-my love for you is a hol.
thing, sacred and deathless." valen
tine was looking earnestly into he
eyes now. His hand was resting OF
the desk. She seized it in hers ant
drew him toward her.
"Take me in your arms, Lee" sh
cried fervently. IT love you. I'll low
you till''- Her face was appraised t.
his as she clung to him. He held he
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