Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1911-01-09


Tilly never went home. now. The
brothers had widened imperceptibly
until neither she nor they cared to
cross 1t. AS they had withdrawn. Joe
had come nearer, until now 1t seemed
he filled her life and her heart She
longed to see him; the picture she had
of him told her little.
One dull March afternoon, after .
hard session In the classroom, Tilly
came home to her boarding place to
md letter from Joe awaiting her.
AS she took 1t up she felt the usual lit
tie thrill of pleasure and interest She
began to read expectantly. then all at
once something seemed to go wrong
with her heart Slowly she turned to
the bed and sat down upon 1t and hid
her face in the pillows. But she could
not cry. though she thought her heart
was broken. Joe had written to say
that at last he was going 10 be mar
RED
The most beautiful girl, Tilly-a
butterfly. an orchid. what you will Of
such rare delicacy and brightness that
| tremble at my temerity In daring TO
possess her. We shall be married this
late fall and I want you to come to
the wedding"
She lived through it. lilly was not
without Anniversary one Of whom
she might have done well to marry.
But she did not care for them. and haA
no intention of marrying just for Q
home. Some time. perhaps-but not
now, not now
Joe continued to write as formerly.
Sometimes he spoke of being at q par
ty or the opera with his fiancee and
Tilly tried to imagine 1t all. with .
brave attempt at equanimity.
That fall she got a call to a city
school at an increase Of salary. 1t was
Joe still helping her, and she knew IL
She wondered whether she were
strong enough to go where she must
occasionally see him. And then the
longing to see him. to be near him,
overcame every objection.
II shall be there In plenty of time
for his wedding" she thought
She began teaching almost immedi-
ately after reaching the city. She had
found good boarding place near the
! school and felt that she was going to
be very comfortable. She had written
to Joe before coming, and she won
dered why he had not come to see her.
or at least write He did write pres
emily from distant state. whittier the
interests Of some client had taken him.
II will see you Just as soon as I ~
turn" he said, but can't tell exactly
when that will be-" He did not men
ton the most beautiful girl"
It was on a Saturday evening q
month later that Tilly was called
down to the parlor to see a visitor.
She was receiving a good many calls
now from her new acquaintances, but
somehow this summons seemed preg-
nant with meaning, as II Joe himself
might be down there waiting for her
Hastily she changed her work dress
for one of plain white linen. She
hhoNC hCioCh illONC oAOWiy oaC W0AAC0
downstairs quietly. She would not
lose control OF herself. The instant
she saw the man who was waiting for
her she knew him, though she felt
with glad thrill that her idea Of him
had never done him justice. She went
toward him, holding out her hand.
quite collectedly.
I'm so glad to see you. Cousin Joe
she said.
They sat down together and TALKED
more like old friends than the stran-
gers which In reality they were. After
while Tilly asked him about the
most beautiful girl"
"Oh." he said. II really cannot say.
She has, you know. ceased to be my
own particular most beautiful GIRL
She has--in fact. she Tilted me be-
cause she found someone she liked
better. I didn't blame her. Her seleo-
tion Of me was poor taste IN the first
place AS for me. ! had reached the
point where must either neglect her
or my profession. And I had worked
too hard for my profession to neglect
1t at my time of life So am very
well suited
Il am sorry" Tilly said. She sat
looking down at her hands and trying
to think
"Are your" Joe said. smiling But
I shall have more time for you now"
Still. am sorry for you" Tilly per-
sisted. you must feel so disap-
pointed"
"Oh. Well" he said when haff-
gods go-you know the rest?"
Tflly did And then they began to
talk about Emerson
That winter went on wings for lilly.
Joe was very nice to her. He took her
about a great deal and gained an en-
trance for her into the houses Of
many charming persons. who were de-
Iightfully kind to her.
One Saturday afternoon. just at the
edge OF the spring. as they CHANGED to
be walking together. all of a sudden
80 suddenly. in fact, that Tilly's breath
was quite startled away--Joe asked
her to marry him
"But-but I'm such a queer persod
'or you to want to marry" gasped
rflly. her fresh young checks very re6