Charlevoix county herald., 1911-09-02

ABOUT young man from nome, VINO
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 a beautiful
home and is very helpful to your
father and me. You would not know
him for the same Abram. He IN
quires every day when you" She
broke off abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly. II
wouldn't do as a money-lender," lie
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 a vague and delightful dream
which had come into his life in the
past 4S hours fade as the light Of
evening faded on the distant noun
tains.
The rich Mr.. Hewitt stalked into
their conversation and spread him.
f, self around like a wet blanket fire.
quently; after that Gideon tried to
avoid him, and 30 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 man posing under a tree
man with his hat tilted knowingly
back, unaware that he showed fore
head from which the hair was reced
ing. He had an upcurled, oily-lookine
black mustache, and wore a 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 {
start that they were but IA hour.
from Gilesburg. He sought Serena
The schoolma'am girl was encaset
in the manner which he knew strange
teachers adopt at an institute. Sh'
was painstakingly polite and pain
fully friendly. and as impersonal al
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 1t was to be their last meal to
gether. the girls armor remained II
place.
The hours passed inexorably. Al
most before he could believe it, tht
whistle screamed, the brakeman
cried "Gilesburg!" and Gideon wa!
standing in the aisle. saying goodbye
to Miss Blythe.
So with a heart sore and rebellion!
he descended into the soft darkness!
of the little town, suitcase in hand
Mechanically he fumbled in his pock
cts for his trunk check.
The engine was taking water. Gid
con walked forward, for one more
look at the schoolmaam girl. Hel
seat was toward the middle Of the
car on the other side. The platform
was high, and by standing on tiptot
he could just see her.
Her head was turned away; CHR
on hand, she was looking out into tht
darkness. There was a droop to hel
not at all like the young woman who
had hidden him a cheerful goodbye 9
few moments before. Stealthily she
dabbed her eyes with her handler
chief.
Just then the train started; SO die
Gideon. He rushed up the steps o.
the car treading on the toes OF the
conductor, and nearly knocking ovel
the porter. dropped his suitcase II
the vestibule, and marched up the
aisle.
"Bun," he said, quietly. and sa
down beside her.
She turned. with a sudden catch
ing of breath. There was Joy II
her dewy eyes. Unconsciously she
stretched out her hand and Gideor
took II in his own.
"Oh!" she sighed, with a tremulou!
smile, '1t seemed so lonesome. Blu
the train-ve're leaving Gilesburg
Where are you going?"
with you," he replied. simply.
But" she struggled to releas,
her hand. "You can't!" Her eyes
fell on the trunk-check between hi
fingers. "Your trunks back there
your orchard! Why, Cid"
I'VE will come back to them, liz
tie schoolma-am girl" he said. "wheI