The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1911-03-17

| warned Valentine. when he comes
you can go out through the vault
room and make your getaway while
stall him here"
In talking with Avery, Jimmy Val
entlne unconsciously fell into the use
of the vernacular of his early voca
| ton
with parting handshake Avery
went out into the vault room. where
Red was to exhibit to him the hi.
| 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
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
garding her plans for the children's
Christmas celebration, and, standing
before his desk. while he stood behind
it. she said. And 1 want to know
what you want for Christmas
rs there anything l could wantY'
he answered in low tones. Think of
what you and two short years have
done for me-
And there's never anything n. ,re
you want? Don't you ever drea ~
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 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 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.
ha vonf,,roS Nvo,, must Va
| thought that l would marry some
day"
Silence. with Valentine fumbling in
| embarrassment a pencil which lay
| upon his desk.
"Yes-I''- he began. but Rose con-
tinued his sentence for him.
And it hurts you to think of it,
doesn't it? Say it,
yes"
go on
He could endure the situation no
longer The girl had penetrated his
| very soul with her questions. had un-
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. He
must tell her the truth about his sit.
uation as regarded her-part of the
truth. at least.
And the thought of you brings
darkness, desolation." he said, keep.
| ing firm grip on the emotions that
threatened to unnerve him. "What is
the use? You're all there is to live for
to just see you now and then. You're
all there is to life. Men have loved
and slaves have loved and animals
that have been saved have loved. but
never were the three loves fused in
one. And you're good. and your life is
clean. while mine-but you know all
that" He inclined his face from her
Il have forgotten" she said simply,
you cannot. And any day the shad-
ow Of other days may fall. But l want
you to know this and believe 1t as
your God-my love for you is holy
thing, sacred and deathless." Valen
tine was looking earnestly into her
eyes now. His hand was resting on
| the desk She seized it in hers and
drew him toward her.
take me in your arms, Lee" she
cried fervently. Il love you. Ill love
you till''- Her face was appraised to
his as she chung to him. He held her