El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-04-14
The Herald's
Daily Shsrt Stery

ut doesn't matter" she murmured.
Something in his voice had caused
her to look closely at him. She was
|. the same Margaret, with the same
childishly pretty face.
He moved uneasily towards the door.
Rodney"
She knew him now. She came to-
wards him haltingly, with a white
face and one hand nervously extend
ed.
What are you doing here?" she
breathed. when did you come? Why
didn't you ask to see me?"
1 told you the truth just now he
said lamely. 81 am professional foot
baller. Fate was in a whimsical mood
when she sent me here"
You don't know how glad I am
to see you" she murmured. II have
seen or heard nothing of you for four
you might have written to me, Rod
ney. You know what good friends we
always were"
Written to you! After what hap
pened?"
She did not answer He could not
interpret her smile or the light that
crept into her eyes
you've heard about your father?"
she said presently.
Yes. Poor old dad! I'm afraid he
died broken man. I should like to
have told him that I was sorry"
And Jim?"
A shadow crossed Havilands face.
"Ah, how is Jim getting on?" he
said, trying to speak carelessly En-
joying himself as usual I suppose"
Jim died a month before your faith
er," she said softly. Didn't you
hear?"
Haviland gave a start of surprise
Then who does the estate belong
toy" he asked
Tit was left to me under trus-
tees. Old Mrs. Wickham-you remem-
Der her?-is living with me as a kind
Of duenna"
Haviland's face cleared
I'm glad!" he cried I'm glad it
all belongs to you'll I hope when you
marry you will still live in the old
place. Well, must go now. You've
made me very happy, Margaret I
1 shan't bother you again"
Margaret was close on the verge Of
tears. and when she spoke again it
was almost in a whisper
Aren't you very poor. Rodney?" she
asked.
"Oh. I get somewhere to sleep and
enough to eat. which is as much as
deserve must go now, Margaret I
can't
She made a quick movement as if to
intercept him. Then her arms were
about his neck. and her soft. wavy
hair was brushing against his face
Rodney, why did you do it? Why?
Why? Why?"
He trembled violently and tried
gently to disengage himself from her
embrace
said. Il was only a boy. Margaret,
and I-Iwanted money. have re-
GREETED 1T ever since The worst pun
ishment was being cut off from you
I was always fond of you, Margaret.
and heaven knows how much I've
missed you these last four years. If
it hadn't been for that cheque-"
Il didn't ask you why you forged
it, she cried 81 meant why did you
tell lies about it? Why did you ac-
cept the blame when YOU knew very
will it was Jim who did it?"
He drew a deep breath
'How-how did you know?" he
jerked out.
q didn't know until Jim was dy-
ing" she answered. He told me then.
II meant to tell your father after
wards, but I put off doing so. and
and he died suddenly. as you know
Why did you do it, Rodney"
He looked away from her with a
shamed face. as if. he had done some
thing wrong
The guv'nor was a peculiar man."
he said. II wasn't thinking so much
of Jim; I was thinking more of YOU.
L think if he had found out that Jim
had done 1T, he would have cleared you
both out of the house, just as he did
me. was able to look after myself,
but Jim was quite incapable Of look
ing after you"
She still chung to him, her grasp
Rodney" she whispered presently,
just because we are both a little old
er must we break all our promises? |
Do you remember that Afternoon when |
poor Jim went fishing
and fell in" added Haviland.
smiling family
And you and I drove poor old Nell
over to Knutsford castle and had tea |
in the ruins. You asked me if I'd |
marry YOU when we both grew up. and |
Il said Yes You were only 10 then, !
and 1 was Is. It's five years ago now. |
and 1 suppose you have changed your |
mind since then"
He said nothing. Something in his |
throat prevented him from speaking. |
come home, won't you stay with me? |
You used to care for me once Rod
1ey.'
L do STILL" he said. I've always /
owed you. Margaret. If I thought that
you really cared"
Il do!' she cried. Rodney, you
must keep the old promise. and marry
ne; for your fathers sake for Jims
'ake-and mine Rodney, this is home |
your home and miner
There was magic in the word home
s she pronounced it. and magic in the
warm touch of her cheek against his.
lie no longer tried to resist her, but
leld her in long embrace.
Darling he whispered. 81 hadn't
ealiZed until now how much 7 wanted
lome-and your
GRAND JURY RETURNS
INDICTMENTS AGAINST THREE.