The Colorado statesman., 1911-02-25

An Eleventh Hour Decision
By NELLIE C. GILMORE

/ off my trip for awhile. But Sally said
in her letter that Ted would be there
this morning and she'd get him 10
come to the station. OF course III Do
glad to see him anyway, but I'm
mighty pleased to think you came
down piece of the way after all
81 won't be able to take you to the
house. II Teddy's there 1t VIII be all
right; he'll look after you. Otherwise'
| can put you in a taxicab. The man
tone was cold. deprecating and mar
garet's bewilderment continued TO IN
crease. But she said nothing, de-
voting herself assiduously to ner
salad.
The little woman called for a plate
of soup and continued to address her-
self to Robert Wyatt. from whom she
ELECTED merely monosyllablic replies
In a little while they were pulling
into the city, and Margaret rose and
hurried to collect her belongings.
AS she stepped from the train she
looked full into the face OF Ted Hor-
ton. A little older somewhat stouter'
a great deal handsomer than in the
old days. But he was the same Ied
for all that. A glad light leapt to his
eyes.
"Maggie!" he said.
rs it really you. Ted? Why. l
thought thought"
'Tha l was several continents
away? And so l was until recently.
1 got in today at IL. Hello, Robert!
Haven't forgotten your cousin, have
you?"
The two men shook hands heartily.
There was genuine pleasure in Hor-
toms manner, but Wyatt seemed
trife constrained. He had not for
gotten his cousins devotion to Mar
garet Broome and the report of the
gossips before Horton went to Aus
tralia. But he had dimly hoped 1t
was the result of some misunderstood
ing between them and had pressed his
suit untiringly in the years that en-
sued Now, 1t would seem that they
were still on friendly terms, at least,
and the discovery occasioned him no
little mental disquietude.
I'm looking for Aunt Ella, Robert.
Came down to take her up to moth
er's. She's on this train, isn't she?"
Before Wyatt could answer the
faded little woman had reached
them and had been recognized by
Horton.
"Why-why-yo precious little
LADY," he cried, warmly kissing the
wrinkled cheeks, both Of them, and
tucking her arm within one of his
hn hn
boxes and bundles and papers from
her overburdened hands. Are you
hungry? Have you had anything? II
not we can go right in to the depot
cafe here and get little lunch before
we start on our drive. OF course you
know Miss Margaret Broome? No?
This is my Aunt Ella, Maggie. You've
heard me speak of her hundred
times; to be more conventional, Mrs.
James Wyatt"
Margaret smiled and held out her
hand, sitting her surprise as best she
could Roberts mother?
I'm SO glad to know you," she said
cordially, "and-and I'm coming to
see you real soon If you'll let me-"
Now, I'm sure that's mighty kind
of you, Miss Margaret and l know
well be good friends. Ted's talked
about you so much 1t seems to me I've
always known you"
Margaret blushed to the roots of her
hair as her eyes met Ted Horizons. He
had managed to edge close to her in
the interval of waiting and she heard
his whispered words distinctly.
10 7
came as soon as 1 could-and you've
never been out of my thoughts a sin
gle instant May l see you and talk
it over-tonight?"
Robert Wyatt was pushing his way
back through the hurrying crowds and
she answered quickly in an under
tone: This evening-at eight-at
Doris Belknap's."
She shook hands again with the lit
tie old lady and Wyatt, drawing her
arm in his with a slight show of i'm
patience, guided her quickly out to
taxicab. Shut in from the outside
ings, he returned suddenly to the girl
at his side and said unsteadily:
You never replied to my letter.
Margaret. I've spent year in the
last few days waiting to learn my
fate"
II thought 1t best to-not to
write, Robert" she said. slowly, but
to tell you in person that-that there
is some one else"
Teddy Horton!" Wyatt's voice was
hoarse; the bitterness of 1t was un-
mistakable and in the eyes that
searched her averted face anxiously.
i've always liked you immensely, as
a friend, but"
But you love-Horton"
The sound of the words, even on
the lips of the man who had sudden
ly grown repulsive to her, filed Mar
garet with a strange Joy.