The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-01-05

hdFS iONtN you ever biHGo AhU
J first day you came into my life. But
until could in some way be assured
that you returned my affection. :
Lope | am not mistaken, but II am.
tell me the truth at once. II | ann
not, | want you to marry me and sail
for Europe on June the first, de-
votedly, John Cromlin.'"
Miss Benson took the letter With
shaking fingers. But her lips were
compressed and told nothing OF the
inward struggle, to John Cromlin.
His eyes were on the ceiling and HIS
mind running ahead for the next
letter.
Now. take this" he said. as tho
girl looked up and 9igniHed that the
other was finished.
Dear Miss Benson: am TO
be absent from New York for the
next six months, 1t will Of course be
necessary to close this Office during
that time, and shall be compelled to
dispense with your services for the
present However. II you care 10 be
governed by my counsel know oe
| hope-which can secure for yols
without any trouble Kindly let mo
have your reply as soon as possible.
SO that It can be filed along with
other matters. Yours sincerely,
John CromlIn.-
| Vera Benson went through with tho
second letter with feeling OF iron
/ nAf rrni Dntinn EhA
had gpprehended. she was to be dts
charged from the office, and her ems
ployer, always kind and gentle. was
breaking the news rs carefully as he
could Tears sprang TO her eyes. but
she dashed them away with self
scorn and bit her lips hard to bring
the blood back 10 them
When the two letters had been
folded and laid aside, shc took up
two envelopes. and ran one into the
machine, which she addressed TO
Vera Benson.
Care Cromlin & West. Attorneys
at Law,
Now York City"
Mr. West will return from the
south SOON" she asked, doing her
| best TO seem Matter-of.fact.
Not until we come home from Eu'
| rope-Mrs Cromliu and myself"
You forgot to give me tho address
for-for this other letter. Mr. Crom,
lin" she reminded him. family, as he
seemed 10 be waiting for some.
thing
oh. dId!i he exclaimed. in
tone OF assumed surprise. How
careless of me, to be sure. But
but"
Perhaps you didn't intend to, any
way" she supplied, suGiy as he
seemed to hesitate
For the first time, Cromlin felt
something OF uneasiness stir In his
heart He could not understand her
coldness He had thought-he had
been, In fact. SO sure that she cared.
and now He rose abruptly and
went to her side. Suppose, after all.
that there was someone else--that he
had been IA fool
Vera" he broke out abruptly.
stung to speech by his fears. what is
It? Are you-do you care for--for
some one?"
do care for some oneT" she de-
manded. frigidly.
Yes"
And may ask what right you
have to put such a question Mr..
Cromln?"
Il thought had" he said slowly.
She looked up at him thoughtfully.
You have been good and generous
to me always, and don't mind admit
ting that--thnt do care for some
one" she replied Please forgive my
curtncss. Have you anything else tok
dictate. Mr.. Cromin?"
No: am tired of debating. II
want some one TO dictate to me fo.Y
awhile Are you ready to address that
letter."
In silence she took up the other ev-
velopo and fed It to the machine.
Cromlin went to the back OF her
chair and stood with one hand rest
ing on the top round OF it. He
spoke in concise. businoss.like
tone
Miss Vera Benson,
"23i5 West 97th Street,
Now York, n. Y"
A pe-emptory call Oh the tele-
phone interrupted his next move.
ment When no came back, Miss
Benson sat with both hands pressed
to her scorching face.
Well" he said. have you decided
to accept the other placer"
She gave him her eyes for brief
instant: they were moist and dark
and luminous.
He bent and lifted her chin In his
hands. when do you begin your d;e-
tntion?" he asked. A.
AT once" she replied. sternly: -
back to FOUR desk and take down
to your letter"
Pleased.
You seem very much interested In
your daughters piano playing"
YES" replied Mr. Cumrox: after