Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-09-29

NA@N AOOAA W hNo'J NAANNAA0p
which parted presently to admit the
gray clad figure OF dainty little wo-
man. A great bunch Of apple blossoms
were fastened at her belt. David saw
the blossoms before he met the steady
light Of her clear blue eyes.
NELL" he cried sharply. She drew
back hastily.
David" she breathed.
ut is good to see you, N-Nell," he
said. stammering In his JOY like a
schoolpoy "Never expected to find
you hs,s I--I am looking Cor a public
stenographer"
The little gray figure reiterated to-
ward the curtains; then Miss Nell
laughed TREMENDOUSLY. 81, too, wished
to engage Miss Owens services" she
said, but have learned that she will
not be here this afternoon.
The man stood looking at her for n
moment; then with a quick stride he
crossed the room.
Nell" he entreated, grant me a
few moments alone. Ia your office or
HluulO Ill tllls DullulnRN
"Yes," she answered, and her tone
was quite composed, 81 am locr ed
here, David, but when we have congrat
ulated each other upon our phenomenal
success"--she smiled up at him--"then
1t will be wiser to shake hands sim
ply and say Soodby. You have been
successful, DaFidW
81 suppose so, Nell" he said "At
least have made some money. That
spells success, does 1t not?' David
on: my life has been like that famous
picture of yours. Nell. There have
been blossoms along the way, of
course, but the blossoms never lasted
long, while the fruit OF my labors -
that's the money--is garnered away
somewhere. l don't seem to enjoy It,
SO now there is nothing but the bare
tree with Its naked branches. 'Bereft'-.
isn't that what you call lt?'
The girl drew farther back against
the curtains. Her face had grown very
white.
II must speak, Nell" David said
tensely. II have waited too long to
miss this chance Fame IL not salts
flying thing, dear, and now that bow
humbly before you, acknowledging
your skill and your trlumphs, won't
you come and al this empty life OF
mine with happiness2 | do not ask
the sacrifice OF your beautiful dreams,
dear one. crave but the privilege to
care for you, to be near you. Will you
conner
mo-" she answered gently, mo, Da-
vld, for / must always dream my
dreams alone"
David turned abruptly to go. As he
reached the door 1t was thrust open to
admit the same stout old gentleman,
who waved a fat hand In greeting to-
ward the figure huddled against the
curtains"
"Miss owen" he cried, "glad to find
you here. VIII you now finish that in.
terrupted dlctation?
The old mans query was met with
silence while Nells sweet face chang
bu IIOHu Wullt w NIliuSbl Ill IuOSl
alarming manner. David hesitated a
moment uncertainty; then his puzzled
expression gave way to one Of sudden
enlightenment
BEG pardon, SIR" he asked the be
wildered old man, but IL this lady
generally known as Miss owen, the
public stenOgrapher~
Certainly" the man responded,
"she is Miss Owen"
David's laugh rang out boylshly. "In
that case" he said, II will have TO
keep you waiting while | discuss a
er-buslness matter with Miss owen.
I will not detaln you long," he added
In low tone as the stenOgrapher tim
idly followed him into her private sane
tum.
carefully adjusted he caught the little
gray figure up In n masterful embrace,
while the crushed blossoms gave forth
a dying fragrance.
80" he said breathlessly, "this II
what you have been doing all along,
working away here night and day in
order 10 send them money at home,
burying your aspirations under cloak
Of deceit that they might not be disap-
pointed IN your career and living un-
der an assumed name 80 that they may
never learn OF your sacrifice. Girl,
girl, how could you do ltY'
GAN your prophecies came true, Da-
vid," she said II was complete fail
ure as far az art was concerned; even
when I tried to pass OF my paintings
as 1mpresslonist pictures they would
not take them" Her little smile Of
mockery vanished. II could not bear
to disillusionize them at home" she
continued. "rhe faith Of those two old
people was thing that one could not
lightly destroy, and 80 ! drifted on
until the weaving Of the wonderful
tales wrote became my chief delight
and the game OF make believe a sub
stltute for the reality"
~ have been too yielding and pa
tient with y0u always, Nell. Hence
forth you shall be managed dictated
to. We Will go back to the old farm
and tell them all that you have found
love TO be a far greater power than
art and then-then we shall be mar
Red Shall we, Nel2 DO you under
standr'
IF you Dlense," came an impatient
voice from the opposite side Of the cur
tain, have you tnken that young
mans dictationT
And NJ Nell appeared the stout gen
tleman blinked IN surprise at her ra-
dtauf fana Oh. a.