The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-23

Il knew it, he said, but this day
| is ours
AS they ate lunch she noticed that
Jim had changed little. He had, it
/ is true, taken on a certain easiness
OF manner, but the strength and
ruggedness that had made him a
noticeable figure on the mountains.
date dining room where he ordered
soup and salad and ices with the air
OF one who knew.
"Oh, Jim Mary said, impulsively,
ITS SO good of you. II haven't
been happy a minute since you left"
.'Yet-you are going to marry the
minister"
HE doesn't love me-" Mary said,
dejectedly; 'he thinks he does, but
he so critical-he-he wants me TO
ways, by clothes-I sometimes WON
der if he isn't a bit ashamed of me
Jim
Then the biggness of the man who
loved her, showed itself Not once
did Jim remind her that she. too. had
been ashamed.
abruptly
7 am not happy with him." she
"Oh, Jim-yes.'
His face grew radient. IF he doesn't
love you, it won't hurt to give Won
up-it may hurt his pride, but his
love isn't involved
cant bear to disappoint him"
Mary said. Hes so goodEand 7 shonid
have known my own mind, Jim
Yes" Her lover did not soften his
arralgnment. "A woman never knows
what she is doing when she trifies
with the hearts of men. I think the
best way will be to tell him the whole
story Mary'
oh" she shrank from the trial.
Couldn't your"
"No--it's your punishment" His
words were stern, but his smile re-
home tonight, and tell him that
you've changed your mind"
But Fate interviewed. The next day
the minister came hurriedly into
Mary's presence. Il am called to
preach in Chicago-a big church.
big salary: must ask you to defer
our wedding, Mary[I shall have to
get adjusted to the life there, to
make a place for you. In the mean
time, you can study and fit yourself
for the position of the wife of a city
clergyman
"Oh. please" begged little Mary, 81
shall never be fit. Don't you think if
you went to that girl you couldn't get
to come up here that she'd take you
now? And she knows all about the
city and city ways-I belong to my
mountain; you can't transplant me-"
you belong here. Do you mean it,
Mary?"
Il really mean it," she confessed,
"and there's somebody here that L love
we've both made a mistake, dear
friend. You have a great work before
you. I could not be content amid
the crowds and noise of a big town
let US both be happy-please.''
He took her hands in his. You're
a. wild flower little girl" he said
and you are sending me to find a
blossom which shall fit into my Gull
tivated garden. I wonder"
Don't wonder" Mary advised; "go
her. She'll like that, but I should
die"
In the spring Jim and Mary, six
months married, received cards from |
the minister. He has married the !
rose,' said Mary. ''and they will live |
in a nice garden with hedges all |
around it-but you and /"
Jim bent and picked a daisy and |
pulled it's petals, one by one. Loves
ne-loves me not he said softly. 1T !
S such a dangerous game, girl but |
he flowers of the field can't be judged !
1y the standards of formal gardens. /
IAN they? And you had to learn that
must each seek its own kind. You
wanted to feel the buffetting of the
Winds. the beat of the storm, the
glory of the sunshine. The woman he
has married will be content to live in
dollhouse. Each to his own. Each
Jack to his Jill, each lover to his
maid; the minister's Rose for him and
ny Mary for me, dear htart."-(Copy-
light. 1912, by McClures Newspaper
Syndicate)