Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-08-15

abort a young man from uolne' w"
has only been in Edensviile two
years" She unfolded letter and
read: "'Abram Hewitt is doing
splendidly. He is the only money
lender in town, and is one of the rich
men now. He is building beautlfui
home and is very helpful to your
father and me. You would not kno"
him for the same Abram. He n
quires every day when you She
broke off abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly.
wouldn't do as a money-lender," ne
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 48 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 a wet blanket fire.
quently; after that Gideon tried to
avoid him, and so did the school
ma'am girl. But he 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 a man posing under a tree,
man with his hat tilted knowingly
head from which the hair was reced-
ing. He had an upcurled, oily-looking
black mustache, and wore satisfied
smirk.
Who's that?" demanded Gideon.
That's 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 he recalled with q
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 as
the multiplication table. For once
Mr.. -Iowitt 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 armor remained in
place.
The hours passed inexorably. AL
most before he could believe it, the
| whistle screamed, the brakeman
cried "Gilesburg!" and Gideon was
standing in the aisle, saying goodbye
to Miss Blythe.
| IN with eoro o-d
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
was high, and by standing on tiptoe
he could just see her.
Her head was turned away: chin
on hand. she was looking out into the
darkness. There was droop to her
not at all like the young woman who
had hidden him cheerful goodbye q
| few moments before. Stealthily she
dabbed her eyes with her handker-
| chief
Just then the train started: so did
Gideon. He rushed up the steps of
the car, treading on the toes of the
conductor, and nearly knocking over
the porter. dropped his suitcase in
the vestibule, and marched I'D the
aisle.
Bun" he said, quietly, and sat
down beside her.
She turned, with a sudden catch
ing of breath. There was Joy in
her dewy eyes. Unconsciously she
stretched out her hand and Gideon
took it In his own.
"Oh!" she sighed, with a tremulous
smile, 'it seemed so lonesome. But
the train-we're leaving Gilesburg.
Where are you going?"
with you," he replied, simply.
But" she struggled to release
her hand. You cant!" Her ewes
| fell on the trunk-check between his
fingers. Your trunks back there
your orchard! Why, Gid"
I'VE will come back to them, lit
tie schoolma-am girl" he said, when
the honeymoon's over"
Blushing, she let her hand lie IN
his.