The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-01-26
Dan Walters Heart
By STACY z. BAKER


/ the Martins, Ethel. the daughter Of
his master was the one mcr!her Of
the family who, In all his fIt-le re-
volts, won him clomcncy Com her
wrathful father, and gave HIN cause
to believe in such n thing - human.
ity. lie had not forgotten
Waller remembered E'icl Martin
as an oarncst-cyed llttl" girl wit
stiff tawny braIds sticking out 0n
each side Of her head, and in p'.m
starched dresses on Sunday, and worn
pinafores on week DAYS. He had neen
good ten years older than she Wal
Ter found himself plzzling as 20 why
plain whited uCk dress coulI make
maid appear so positively beautiful
Yes, am Ethel" the girl was say.
Ing. we received your letter, but
but papa Is dead He died seven
years ago Fred, the baby. you will
remember-mothcr. and myself are
living In the old home. and-and we
would like to have you stop with us
while you are in town"
In this invitation Waller detected
.he personal wish of Ethel He knew
well enough that the mother OF the
girl, a spirited woman. had
long since ceased TO take interest in
any happening. no matter how irreg
ular Fred, who had been an infant
in arms at the time he, Waller. had
gone away, would hardly enthuse over
the coming Of his fathers runaway
| boy
II will be pleased to accept your
kind invitation" came from Waller
The New Yorker had intended to stay
at the old tavern. In accepting Ethel
Martins hospitality, his ready lips had
taken the wish from his heart. and his
methodIcal brain dumbly analysed the
reason as he plodded along
How does It happen, Ethel" he
asked, that you are so-er-diheront
from these other women Of your
| town He waved discreet fingers to-.
ward n sloycnly pair in nearby yard
Ethel laughed. Dad sent me away
to school" she said.
Waller wns received by the widow
Of Martin with listless shake Of the
! hand. and cOlorlcss words OF welcome
The woman was beyond feeling or
| emotion. She too. had been a slave
to the stern man now in his grave.
Waller, explaining that he would he
| in Mayville for some time made ar
engagements for board. His ideas OF
tavern accommodations had faded
since he had seen the daughter OF his
old master For the first time in
| his iifc Waller was in love.
Ethel" he said one day. 81 have
been here nearly four months, and
now must return. My work in tho
city calls me. viii you not so back
| with meas my wife,"
NO" answered the girl shortly.
Fingers seemed to grip the heart
Of the man. The green fields and the
scattered trees by tho roadside be.
| came Il confused tumble, and Waller
[ lost consciousness
Dearest The appeal in the words
| came through n mist Of Oblivion and
| drew the broker back to life. Dear.
est didpt mean IT, Oh, come back
to me- Dan, come back to met"
His eyes opened and his weak hands
/ fumbled for the willing ones of the
| girl MY heart he gasped. Tho
doctor told mo that sudden shock
would do this. That is why | came
hero this summer-for quiet"
But didn't mean what | said L
I will go back with you"
Rather" came from Waller, slow.
| ly, Il will remain here with you.
There can be no more city for me-
now. Tho excitement Of It would kill
me Dearest, we have money enough
and love. We will remain here"