The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-09-07


has only bssas e Edsns1ille two
ysars." She nnfolded . letter and
read: ":Abran Hewitt u doing
splendidly. He q the only. money.
lender in town. and 10 one Of the rich
men now. He IL building beautiful
home and ID. very helpful to your
father and me. You would not know
him for the same Abram. He n.
Quires every day when you" She
broke of abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly. n
wouldn't do as a money-lender." he
replied: too much sympathy for the
other fellow. I've had to borrow.
myself"
Constraint fell with that, and Gid.
con went to the smoking compart
ment and sat himself down, gloomily,
in corner.
"of course" he chided: Il might
. have known some rich man would
want her. I'm surprised she ever
got away from New England without
being married." With that he watch.
ed vague and delightful dream
which had come into his life in the
past 4s hours fade as the light Of
evening faded on the distant noun.
tains.
The rich Mr.. Hewitt stalked into
their conversation and spread him.
self around like wet blanket fire..
Quently: after that Gideon tried to
avoid him. and 90 did the school.
ma'am girl. But be was evidently a
character not accustomed to being
ignored. 1t was patent to Gideon he
had nominated himself to be the hus.
band Of little Miss Serena and that,
furthermore. Serena's parents were
eager to ratify the nomination.
Once. when they were looking over
some Of the girls snapshots they
came to man posing under a tree.
q man with his hat tilted knowingly
back, unaware that he showed fore.
head from which the hair was reced.
ing. He had an upcurled. oily-looking
black mustache, and wore q satisfied
smirk.
who's that" demanded Gideon.
"That'a Mr.. Hewitt" returned Ser.
emo.
"Why. he's old!" cried Gideon, with
fierce triumph. And then he leaned
forward to look into her eyes. Bun.
don't marry him! he" /
"Mr. Rush!"
For the first time Gideon felt the
weight Of the icy school teacher tone.
The humbled Gideon sought refuge
In the smoking. compartment, where
he stayed until bedtime.
Next morning be recalled with
start that they were but IA hours
from Gilesburg He sought Serena.
The schoolma'am girl was encased
In the manner which he knew strange
teachers adopt at an institute. She
was painstakingly polite and pain
fully friendly. and as impersonal az
the multiplication table. For once,
Mr.. Hewitt did not get into the con.
versation.
Even at dinner, dining car extrav.
agance on which Gideon insisted be.
cause it was to be their last meal to.
gether. the girls ar1nor remained Ia
place.
The hours passed inexoraDly. AL
most before he could believe 1t, the
whistle screamed. the brakeman
cried "Gilesburg!" and Gideon was
standing in the aisle. saying goodbye
to Miss Blythe.
So with . heart sore aud rebellious
he descended into the soft darkness
Of the little town, suitcase in hand.
Mechanically he fumbled in his peck.
cts for his trunk check.
;, The engine was taking water. Gid.
con walked forward. for one more
look at the schoolma'am girl Her
seat was toward the middle Of the
car On. the other side The platform
wan high. and BY standing on uptoa
he could just sec her.
Her head was turned away: chin
on hand. she was looking out into the
darkness. Thsre was droop to her
not at all like the young woman who
had hidden him a cheerful goodbye q
few moments before. stealthily she
dabbed her eyes with her handksr.
chief.
Just then the train started; 90 did
Gideon. He rushed up the steps Of
the car. treading on the toes Of the
conductor. and nearly knocking over
the porter. dropped bis suitcase in
the vestibuls. and marched up the
aisle.
Bug" 20 lald. quietly. and "a,
down beside her.
She turned. with, a sudden catch,
ing Of breath. There was Joy, In
her dewy eyes. Internationally she
stretched out her hand and Gideon
took 1t in his own.
"Oh!" she sighed. with tremulous
smile. 1T seemed 80 lonesome. But
the train-we're leaving Gilesburs.
Where are you going?"
with you." he replied, simply.
But" she struggled to release
her hand. you can't!" Her eves
fell on the trunk.check between biz
fingers. your trunks back there
your orchard! Why. Cid"
I'VE will come hanlr =, th 80,