The Paonia newspaper., 1911-02-24
,,.+a
An Eleventh Hour Decision
By NELLIE c. GILMORE
By NELLIE c. GILMORE

Ah6 WIN hCT lSd duu tOabt WhCh th6
postman's whistle sounded shriily at
the front door. She arose eagerly and
hurried out. The letter was from
girl friend in Chicago whom she was
going to visit and she broke the seal
with little smile Of anticipation.
Doris Belknap had written hastily:
The Naples. Aug. 3.-Dearest Mar
garet: Can you not hurry up bit and
reach here by the seventh. instead OF
the tenth? All the others are coming
earlier. and I don't want you to miss
any Of the gay times we have planned
You will be glad to know that Robert
Wyatt has consented to lend his aug
ust presence at the weekend. and
shall send him to the train to meet
you-you little minxl
Be sure to bring your tennis suit
golf outfit and motor bonnet. We shall
have to live outdoors. you know. Don't
fail to come. Devotedly. Doris"
Robert Wyatt. Margaret's blood ran
swift for a moment as she recalled
the little note he had sent her the week
beforehand which she was still hesi-
tating to answer. For the answering
involved practically her future.
Five years before, Ted Horton had
said goodby TO her on the very step on
which she was now standing and his
last words had been: Walt for me.
Maggie Some day I'll come home
worthy of you. But until that time
cannot tell you all that is in my heart
or ask you to make any promises"
But year after year had drifted away.
and never a word No doubt. he had
long since forgotten his boyish ro-
nance. and was perhaps even now. the
husband Of some other woman. A
youth of 20-a girl of II. What mat
tered ltl
Obeying sudden impulse she tucked
Doris letter in her belt and hurried
upstairs to her desk. After repeated
attempts, she succeeded In framing
satisfactory reply to wyatt's note. She
would marry him. she said. early in
October as he wished. and go with him
to his eastern home. Then she sat
down before her trunk and with shak-
ing fingers lifted the lid and took out
a packet of yellowed letters. One aft
er another she burned them until she
came to the last That she would
keep. together with the crisp. curling
lock of brown hair inclosed within
II. Some foolish impulse caused her
to lift IL for n second to her hot cheek
and hold II there, while the tears we'll
ed to her eyes.
An hour later. dressed for the street.
she went hurryipg along the deserted
avenue toward the post office. the let
ter TO Robert Wyatt clasped in her
/ handQ nnt Incl -. a. -
caught her foot In loose board at
the crossing. tripped and almost fell
The letter dropped from her fingers
and fioated of in a puddle OF muddy
water left by the recent rain
The train was an hour late. and as
sailed by the pangs OF hunger, Mar
garet rose as the last call for luncheon
was announced and made her way into
the dining car. She sat down at a va.
cant table and wrote her order hastily.
When she looked up. she met the
glowing eyes OF Robert Wyatt fixed
upon her ardently.
Thought I'd run down the road to
meet you. Your telegram reached the
Naples last night. When / couldn't
find you in the Pullman, / came on in
here, and"
And now you must sit down and
have luncheon with me. I'm SO glad
you came. It's such bore to travel
alone" s- -
Her words. and the cordial tone in
which they were uttered. made
Wyatts heat beat faster. As he sat
down he tried to meet her eyes. but
she evaded his glance with a conscious
flush. and they fell into lively conyer-
sation about everything under the sun
but the thing which was uppermost
in both minds.
The car filled rapidly. until the two
seats at their own table, alone. re-
mained. Before either was aware of
1t. waiter was seating a faded LIT.
tie woman In rusty black in one of
them.
Why why Roberti" she cried
beamingly. where did you come from !?
I'm so glad you were able to get OF
after all. | gdess you looked for me
in the sleeper. but I'm riding in the
day coach. It's saving OF two dol
lars. you know. And these days money
doesn't grow on trees. Why there have
been times when I've sewed the best
part of a couple OF days to make that
much"
Margaret smiled In sympathy. She
l<wIu - ~