The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-10-03


down BY Deep Rock springs, Stand
ield Meyers demanded his final an
swer.
Leave me alone now" she urged.
Il want to think It over before l an
swer you positively"
And so it was that she sat there,
chin IN hand, elbow on knee, locking
out across the valley basking in the
sunlight Marshall came upon her.
She could not quite keep the gladness
out of her eyes as she looked up and
saw him, stalwart and strong, with
his youthful dreams still in his brown
eyes.
1T is great to be back in the
mountains, Anne. You look today just
as you did that morning up at old
/ Chester when l went to stammer good
/ bye to you. I was such a kid. Re-
member"
Anne tossed the petals of a wild
rose on the clear little stream that
flowed from Deep Rock
No. she said, quietly. That was
long time ago.
What's the matter with your
memory, Anne? You've changed.
| couldn't sleep last night for thinking
that you left the ballroom after
! seeing me without coming to vel
come me- You meant home to me.
That's why l followed you to the
mountains"
You don't know how hard it Is to
speak to anybody when Standfeld is
around"
"Standfield Meyers? What has he
to do with your attitude to your old
friends?"
81 am going to marry him" Anne
wondered why her voice did not
CULVER with her heart.
Without a word he turned and
started down the path.
Tom" questioned Anne, a tiny
pulse hammering in her throat,
Tom, won't you wish me ioy?"
He came back then, his hand out,
the old brave smile of his youth
lighting his face.
Il was a beast, Anne, dear. OF
I course l wish you Joy 1t knocked
me over a bit to hear the news.
was selfish. thinking only of my
own loss You see. I have always
foolishly, of course-believed that you
were mine. 1t has never occurred
to me that any man could take you
away from me-
Oh cried Anne, you mustn't talk
/ to me like that What would your
wife think if she heard?"
My what?'
Your wife. You wrote me about a
/ girl you said was very pretty. You
wanted to read one of my letters to
| her, and when you didn't answer my
/ letter."
Didn't answer? I wrote to you
four or five times while l was hurt"
"Hurt?" cried Anne, in alarm. "Oh,
/ Tom. how"
Pony bucked with me and l IN
! fortunately got mixed up with ma
chime that happened to be passing
| The boys hurried me off to st. Jo-
/ seph 8 hospital, where they patched
/ up one shoulder and an arm until
they are as good as new"
All the mothers sollcitude deep in
the heart of every woman for the
only man, although he may be her
senior by many years, showed in
/ Anue's eager, tender questioning
Why didn't you let me know,
Tom? Mother and would have gone
to you. Haven't you always known
/ that l would do anything for you?'
"All but the greatest thing, Anne,
/ the giving Of yourself"
Aren't you married. Tom?"
No l never wanted any woman but
/ you. My brother and his wife met
/ me and came on to meet you, but you
| had gone l absolutely held your
father up and demanded to know
whore you we're"
/ y haven't answered Standfeld yet,
/ Tom It would be a crime to marry
anybody but you. Ny pride was
| hurt"
You'll have to marry me now, to.
day" said Marshall, his arms about
/ her. Then we'll go west and shoot
up the town until l find out what be-
came Of our letters
/ AIS we'll that ends we'll, laughed
/ the girl happily, while a hooking bird
/ broke into melody of silver song
I somewhere in the young green
branches overhead
! Copyright 1872 by Associated Literary
Press)