The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-08-11


new but genuine western enthusiasm
for her own town Mamma says it's
half as large again as when they
moved there Papa has all the work
be can do; be is a carpenter you
know. and carpenters are scarce-so
is capital A man with some money
is sure TO make success You could
do well there"
81 can do we'll at Gilesburg.- re
turned Gideon. sturdily loyal The
finest apples in the state are raised
in that district It's a good shipping
point. too "
But see here. what mamma says
about a young man from home. who
has only been in Edensville two
years She unfolded a 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 beautiful
home and is very helpful to your
father and me You would not know
him for the same AJram. Re n
quires every day when you" She
broke of abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly. Il
wouldn't do as a money-lender. !e
replied; too much sympathy Tor the
other fellow. I've had to borrow.
myself"
Constraint fell with that. and Gid
con went to the smoking ccmpart.
ment and sat himself down. gioomily.
in a corner.
"Of course" he chided: Z migat
have known some rich man would
want her. I'm surprised she ever
got away from New England witholt
being married" With that he watch
ed vague and delightful dream
which had come into his life in the
past IS hours fade as the light OF
evening faded OF the distant noun
tains
The rich Nj Hewitt stalked into
their conversation and spread him
self around ike q vet blanket FIRE
9uenuy; after that Gideon tried to
avoid him. and so did the school
ua'au girl But lie was evidently g
character not accustomed TO being
ignored Il was patent TO Gideon be
had nominated himself to be the bus
band OF little Miss Serena.
Next morning he recalled with a
start that they were but Il hours
from GAesburg- He sought Serena
The schoolma'am girl was encasec
IN the manner which be 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.. iuwitt did not get into the con
yersation
Even at dinner. a dining car extrav-
agance on which Gideon insisted be-
cause it was to be their las. neal to-
gether. the girls armor remained in
place.
The hours passed inexorably AL
most before he could believe il, the
whistle screamed. the brakeman
cried "Gilesburg!" and Gideon was
standing in the aisle, saying goodbye.
So with a heart sore and 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. tor 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
be could just see her
Her head was turned away; chin
on hand, she was looking out into the
darkness. There was a droop to her
not at all like the young woman who
had hidden him a cheerful goodbye a
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 up 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 1t in his own.
OH" she sighed. with a tremulous
smile, 1T seemed so lonesome. But
the train-were leaving Gilesburg
Where are you going?"
With you" he replied. simply.
But" she struggled TO release
her hand You can't" Her ewes
fell on the trunk-check between his
fingers Your trunks back there
your orchard! Why. Cid"
We will come back to them. IN.
tie schoolma-am girl" he said. when
the honeymoon's over"
Blushing. she let her hand lie in
his
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