The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1911-04-14
I Elizabeth said, and then fell to crying

cry, dear, 1t Will DO her good. Ieal
for a woman are like steam in
boiler, IL there wasn't some outle
child, something would have to bio
up"
Run, Elizabeth" cried Teresa e
citedly few minutes later, catchin
sight of a broad-shouldered fello
swinging up the path, run, wash yot
eyes and put some powder on yot
nose for there comes Jack Dunbar
here with big box. hope to goo
ness it's candy"
The young people stayed to supne
Elizabeth's Aunt Martha insisting ths
she needed some youth and laughte
Later the dear designing old lady fe
satisfied when she heard Elizabeth
voice ring out merrily and observe
that she was beginning to seem he
self again. When Teresa had bee
taken home and Aunt Martha had dc
clared it was time for old folks to b
"abed," she had had enough excite
ment for one evening. Elizabeth an
the young artist sat down on the vine
covered porch and looked out over thu
oldfashioned flower garden where th'
moon had mysteriously touched tht
blossoms with her silver brush.
1T was good Of you to help me out
the other evening, Jack. have
wanted to thank you ever since then
but somehow | couldn't bring myself
to the point"
THAT little matter at the dance
I certainly enjoyed that night.
think l gave the doctor turn he
won't forget soon"
81 broke my engagement with him
the next morning, Jack. He thought
that he could say or do anything and
my word. once given, would protect
him. Real love has no sting in it and
| have come to the conclusion that
have been cheating myself by false
belief"
Jack Dunbar flicked the ashes from
his cigar and waited for her to finish
ut wasn't the first time he has
sighted me-" she went on, "and lately
I have been realizing that things
were coming to an issue which would
mean severing our relation. |
wouldn't hurt anybody unjustly for
the world. You are a man, Jack, and
can Judge for me. Do you think that
l did right?"
He waited SO long to answer that
she turned and asked again, do you
think that did right?"
More than right, Elizabeth, for a
man ought to be so proud of a wom-
an like you that he would be glad to
turn from all the world II necessary
and cling to you. You trust people so
Elizabeth. l remember when we were
children in Maynardsville. l used to
carry you across the creek whenever
the water came over the stepping
stones. You were such a little thins
and | was such big burly fellow
that all the girls were afraid of m'
except you. can almost feel you
little yellow curls bobbing against N.
face now as they often did in thos'
days. l used to pray for rain then
| Elizabeth, so that the water woult
cover the stones and wet the littl
girls feet unless the big boys carries
them over. was always your bi
how Elt1a hath u,ocpIt 1917
His very tenderness seemed Il
hurt. and Elizabeth felt a lump rs
ing In her throat.
II went away, you remember, Il
college and never came back unit
last summer. wanted to succeed
and bring that success TO you"
1--WE are all 90 proud, Jack, OF your
wonderful pictures and the great
name that you have made for your
self"
81 wanted to bring that success to
you. and when | came last summer
and found that you were engaged to
Doctor Martin | packed right up and
left. I am going to Japan next month
to stay a year and work. ! wish that
you would 90 with me. dear. | have
the right to ask you now, for all
through the years have always been
your big boy, Elizabeth, and you have
been my inspiration and my dream"
But what would people say, Jack?"
He stood up and lifted her to her
feet before him "They would say
that when you were Ill last year, you
learned to depend on Martin, and that
for a time you believed 1t was love.
You see, have already heard what I
feel must be the truth. Don't you
believe that you can learn to love
me? Are you going to let the worlds 8
opinion stand between me and my
great happiness, for am selfish, dear.
in this. want you If you are willing
to come to me-"
"You used to carry me when was
little, big boy, Now I've grown heavier
and may be burden"
"In that case I'm willing to risk IT,"
he said, looking down into her face,
touched by the silver brush of the
moon, and Elizabeth, yielding, felt
from the strength of his arms that
she had found the heart home for her
love and life.