The Red Cloud chief., 1912-09-05


element
"You see." she began. her grasp
on the table edge tightening, when
I reached here there we're crowds OF
people about you SO that II was I'M
possible 10 speak to you by your
self. I had had slight headache
when left home. and by ten o'clock
II had grown so much worse that !
saw II was foolish to try to remain
the rest Of the evening. SO I slipped
In here for a moment. scribbled
note to you--with my answer--and
hid II. wanted you to read It,
alone. In the quiet. after everybody
was gone. Then I gave directions tc
one Of the servants. told him where
7 had put the note and how he was tc
tell you about II before you went te
bed. Wade insisted on going home
with me, and to keep from distressing
anyone we slipped away with only
q hurried goodby to your grand
mother"
She paused. Lethridge looked AT
her with strange expression.
II never got the message" he
said.
II know it-now. nut didn't
know II the next day when was
sick In bed--that headache was the
beginning Of an attack Of grip--and
when I waited, thinking surely you
would come. You sailed without
even telephoning me. was angry,
and my pride was hurt It didn't
occur to me until long afterward that
there might have been mistake.
What believed was that you had
changed your mind about how you
felt toward me and that you thought
the safest way out Of II was merely
to disregard my note" q
ITO what servant did you give the
message?" asked Lethridge after a
pause.
II think II was your grandmother'a
old butler. knew his face and was
sure ! could trust him to deliver the
message"
Lethridges face changed. Watson!
! remember II all The old fellow was
stricken with apoplexy that very eve.
ming and never regained conscious.
ness. didn't know It till next morn.
ing. So that explains It," He turned
to her again. "And where did you
put the note?" ne inquired.
"Here. In this room. ! slipped II
into the silver lamp there"
With a quick gesture LethridRe
reached up into the carved recep.
tacle and withdrew his hand. COW
cred with dust. He held yellowed
scrap Of paper which was wrapped
around something brown and crum.
bling
THAT was q rose--a pink rose
from my bouquet" said Mrs. Barrow,
with a nervous little laugh.
Slowly Lethridge read the faded
writing. his face paling. He finished
and put the note into his pocket. then
stood gazing at her. queer pain al
his heart. For a moment neither
spoke.
"After--after I married." said Mrs
Barrow. hesitatingly. II sometimes
wondered II something like this hadn't
happened. II was so unlike you to act
as first accused you Of acting. But
didn't feel right about trying to find
out when ! was Wade's wife. I would
never come here even on the small
chance Of finding the note while he
was alive"
while Wade was alive?
Eyes. You knew, of course. that
Wade died-at Carlsbad-two years
ago."
II hadn't heard IT, Poor Wade!
hut why do ! say that? He must
have been happy. He had everything
man could want to make him %"
She looked down at the faded car
pet. Eyes. believe he was-very
happy" she replied. Then. after q
moment. and In brighter tone. well.
INV mission 10 fulfilled. have found
what ] came to search for-my old
note. and my belief In you. And
now It is time to depart. Shall I look
forward to seeing you before you 60
away? Come in some afternoon to
ter and we'll talk OF old days."
why not talk them over now!"
Lethridge moved . step nearer her
Say It 10 ten years ago. I am the
same Frank Lethridge. and you are
Polly Hayden. You're Just twenty"
That's far flight for fancy" she
smiled ruefully.
For fancy. perhaps. but 10 II q far
flight for-love? Listen: I have 1ust
read your note. Tho nine years II
took to reach me have not been Ions
enough to alter the question to which
It replies. Tell me the TRUTHS II
too late for me to hope?"
She hesitated. much - she had
done on . previous occasion. q sud
den shyness in her eyes. He leaned
toward her impulsively and caught
her two hands In his.
Polly! I'm repeating my ques.
tion. What answer will you givs
met"
You have It in your pocket" she
replied.