Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-03-10

An Eleventh Hour Decision
~ By NELLIE c. GILMORE
By NELLIE c. GILMORE

glao 10 see him anyway, but I'm
mighty pleased to think you came
down piece OF the way after all"
Il won't be able to take you to the
house. II Teddy's there II VIII be all
right; he'll look after you. Otherwise.
can put you in taxicab." The mans
tone was cold, deprecating and Mar
garet's bewilderment continued to In
crease
The little woman called for a plate
of soup and continued to address her
self to Robert Wyatt, from whom she
elected merely monosyllablic replies.
In a little while they were pulling
into the city. and Margaret rose and
hurried to collect her belongings.
AS she stepped from the train she
looked full into the face of Ted Hor-
ton. A little older, somewhat stouter,
great deal handsomer than In the
old days. But he was the same Ted
for all that. A glad light leapt to his
eyes.
"Maggiel" he said.
as It really you. Ted? Why. I
thought thought"
'Tha was several continents
away? And so / was until recently.
got In today at IL. Hello Roberti
Haven't forgotten your cousin. have
your
The two men shook hands heartily.
There was genuine pleasure in Hor-
tons manner, but Wyatt seemed a
trifie constrained. He had not for
gotten his cousins devotion to Mar
garet Broome and the report of the
gossips before Horton went to Aus
.ralia.
I'm looking for Aunt Ella, Robert.
Came down to take her up to moth
er's. She's on this train. isn't she?"
Before Wyatt could answer the
faded little woman had reached
them and had been recognized by
Horton
'Why-why-you precious little
LADY," he cried, warmly kissing the
wrinkled cheeks, both of them, and
tucking her arm within one of his
own while he filled the other with
boxes and bundles and papers from
her overburdened hands. Are you
hungry? Have you had anything? II
not we can go right in TO the depot
cafe here and get little lunch before
we start on our drive. OF course you
know Miss Margaret Broome? No?
This is my Aunt Ella, Maggie. You've
heard me speak of her a. hundred
times; to be more conventional. Mrs.
James Wyatt"
Margaret smiled and held out her
hand. sitting her surprise as best she
could. Roberts mother?
I'm so glad to know you" she said
cordially. "and-and I'm coming to
see you real soon If you'll let me-"
Now, I'm sure that's mighty kind
of you. Miss Margaret. and know
we'll be good friends. Ted's talked
about you so much It seems to me I've
always known you
Margaret blushed to the roots of her
hair as her eyes met Ted Horizons. He
had managed to edge close to her in
the interval of waiting and she heard
his whispered words distinctly.
you haven't forgotten. Maggie? I
came as soon as could-and you've
never been out of my thoughts a sim
gle instant May I see you and talk
it over-tonightf"
Robert Wyatt was pushing his way
back through the hurrying crowds and
she answered quickly In an under
tone: "This evening-at eight-at
Doris Belknap's."
She shook hands again with the lit
tie old lady and Wyatt, drawing her
arm in his with slight show Of i'm
patience, guided her quickly out to q
taxicab. Shut in from the outside
world, feverish with his pent-up feel
ings, he returned suddenly to the girl
at his side and said unsteadily:
"You never replied to my letter,
Margaret. I've spent a year in the
last few days waiting to learn my
fate"
IL thought 1t best to-not to
write, Robert" she said, slowly, but
to tell you in person that-that there
is some one else"
Teddy Hortonl" WAITS voice was
hoarse; the bitterness Of 1t was un-
mistakable and in the eyes that
searched her averted face anxiously.
I've always liked you immensely, as
a friend, but"
But you love-Horton"'
The sound of the words, even on
the lips of the man who had sudden
iy grown repulsive to her, filed Mar
garet with strange Joy.
yes" she said. dreamily. i've al
ways--loyed him.
A constrained silence fell between
them. Wyatt shrank into his corner.
gazing grimly through the window at
the flying buildings.
Margaret. staring happily through
the opposite one. caught a fieeting
glance of candid gray eyes, smiling
merrily into the faded little face up
\ turned to them. and she drew little
fiuttering breath Of sheer delight.