Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-11-14

rlous7 suppose I'm Just a silly ...e.-
homebody. who only wishes to be
loved? How old do you think q girl
must be to really and deeply and truly
love, Jim?'
a brow contracted, and he took
her hand in his, stroked it tenderly and
studied the beautiful lines as they
melted from the firmly shaped wrist
into the rounded arm and gracefully
nodded body.
"Tm afraid you've asked a bigger
question than I can answer dear" he
said, with serious accent. "I've been
wondering lately whether the world
hasn't lost the secret Of happy mating
and marrying. A more beautiful ever
life I have never seen than the one in
the home Of my childhood. Yet nv
mother was only fourteen and my IA
ther twenty-one when they were mar.
RED. Now folks only allow themselves
TO marry In cold blood, calculating with
accuracy their bank accounts. NV
mother had been married six months
at your age, and yet here I sit on a
PEDESTAL and have the impudence to
talk to you as a child"-
But you're not impudent, jim" she
broke IN eagerly, "and I understand"
I'm beginning to WONDER" Stuart
continued, whether nature made a
mistake when she made woman as she
Is. l once knew a girl of fifteen to
whom | believe life was the deep,
tragedy or the highest joy of which bel
heart Will ever be capable. Else why
did the blood come and go so quickl,
in her cheeks?"
A sudden flush mantled Harriet's
face, and she turned away that he
might not see. Stuart's head bent low
and rested between his hands.
Il loved such a little girl once
dear
Harrlet's face suddenly flushed will
JOY. 1t was too wonderful to be true
but it was true. And he had chosen
this curious way to tell her. Her voice
sank to the softest whisper as she ben
closer:
aAo sou ioNc uCI Sllll, Jill!
His head dropped lower as he sighed
Il loved and lost her, little pal! She
was married two days ago. She came
to the great city. learned its ways anC
sold herself for gold"
The color had slowly returned to the
little freckled face with, its row Of
golden hair, and the deep brown eye.
overfoWed with tears for just q mo
ment. She brushed them away before
be raised his head, so that he never
knew.
I'm so sorry, JIM" she said simply
II understand now"
Its very sweet to have you share
this ugly secret Of my life. little pal
1t will help me-"
And you are sorry you ever knew
her, JIM"
mo, I'm not sorry. I've grown tt
see that there's just n thing in the
world that's really big-big as God is
blythe man who has attained a char
acter. l haven't lived at all yet. I'm
just beginning to see what it means tt
live. Until now I've thought only o,
myself. A new light has illumined thu
way. Now-I'm going to live for 9th
ers. From today l shall ask nothing
for myself. and l can never be disap
pointed again"
Harriet looked up quickly.
would it please you. Jim. If l should
make a great singer"
More than l can tell you. dear
Your voice is a divine gift. I envy yor
it's power"
Her eyes were shining with a great
purpose.
Il know that it means years and
years of patient work. but I'll do it,
she cried.
When the last echo of his footster
in the hall above died away and his
door had closed the little golden head
bowed low in a passionate tender
prayer:
God help me to keep my secret and
yet to love and help him always!"
ITO BE Continued