The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-02-17
was a process of evolution.

was a process Of evolution.
Mary was a woman whose sole
creed was the gospel of helpfulness,
and poor, lonely Bachelor John re-
veled in her ministry. Thus it was
that he came to long for her return
from the store each day, to listen for
her step outside his door, and to real.
ize. at last, her real worth, and his
need of her He wondered, after
time, that he had ever thought her
plain. though this was likewise a pro.
cess of evolution, as was evidenced by
his first compliments to her
MARY" he interrupted when, one
evening, she was narrating for his
benefit the days happenings at the
store, you are the handsomest home
ly woman / have ever seen"
At this utterly irrelevant remark,
Mary, in sudden confusion, brought the
conference to an abrupt end rs that
a compliment or not?" she laughed,
and went to sleep that night still
pondering the question.
So happy was Haywood in the Cong
don home that he heard with regret
the doctors announcement that, on
the day following, he might, with per-
feet safety, return to his own apart
mcnts 1t was Friday afternoon, and
Mary was at home that being half
holiday at the store. He could hear
her voice, and Elizabeth's, coming to
him through an open register from the
room above him. He mused on her
sweetness and her goodness-this ten
der, womanly Mary, whom he had not
known until these last few weeks.
Then. he thought of Elizabeth.
of course, III marry her" he decid.
ed gultily. I've gone too far with
the child to change my mind now.
But" His reflections were inter.
rupted by the sound OF footsteps
descending the stairs and pausing out
side his door
He heard Mary ask: elizabeth, do
you love him?"
He spends money so gloriously," ,"
Elizabeth evaded cheerfully.
But do you love him enough to
marry him?" insisted the gentle voice
Had Haywood been a hero of fiction
in all probability he would have
coughed; but, being just an ordinary
man, he sat upright, straining his ears
to catch the answer When it came, 1t
was a blow to his pride, but an in
finite relief to his spirit.
Marry him! Do you think I'd
marry a man old enough to be my
father-in-law?"
"Sh-" cautioned Mary, and he
heard no more just then; but, after
little he heard Elizabeth say impa-
tiently: well, if it will please you,
I'll go in and see if he wants any
thing"
In a twinkllng Heywood's head
dropped Imply down against his
shoulder, while his eyes closed. Eliza
beth came in noisily, then quickly re-
treated.
Hes asleep" she announced.
Before Haywood had thought it safe
to change his position the door
opened again, this time very softly.
He could scarcely hear the tip-toe of
the feet across the carpet, but he felt,
with a thrill, the presence of this
woman whom he knew all at once,
that he loved, Presently, his head
was gently lifted, and a pillow
pushed behind it. In the operation a
soft hand touched his cheek. Catch
ing the hand in his, he drew her arm
about his neck, and opened his eyes
to the surprised, blushing face bend
ing over him.
Mary" he whispered, dear, beau
tiful Mary" With that, he released
her hand and drew her to his side
I've been fool" he went on, as
serting what every one else had known
for months. I've tried to act like
gay boy; but this old hulk of mine is
too weatherbeaten for such frolicsome-
ness. | can't keen it I'D. The truth