The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1912-10-19

in the morning. don't haYe to Jay
cash for my phone calls"
When she was out of hearing he
dropped his head on his desk min
ute, swearing great silent oaths. Look
ing down he saw that she had dropped
her story-a pitiful wispy scrawl OF
cheap PAPER, less bulky than common.
He knew 1t would not do-that was
the trouble. Her stories never would
de- even for the cheap and uncritical
magazine which claimed his services.
Their very virtues fought against
them-Joe knew good literature, no
less good breeding The proao
splashy effects that thrilled his pup
lie were not for her. II her people
lacked life they were at the least DE-
Gently tailored. Yet she was set as
the hills on making her way. here IN
the boiling town. rather than go oacA
to the nagging Of a tep-mother-has-
gings whose root was the prosperous
Billy Mason.
Latimer had known her from her
cradle. Indeed, he had carried her
pig-a-back several miles at least. he
had never thought of her as a sweet
heart. Sweethearting for him. indeeo.
had always meant Agnes ware. IL
she had not thrown him over for MS
rich uncle he should never have seen
New York. His coming had cogent
reason-why under heaven had tnat
willful Joe come likewise why, nno-
ing herself SO unfit, did she foolishly
stay?
He bought the poor little story
paying for it from his own spare pock-
ct, but through the mask of the mag
azine. After the check had been sent
by messenger, he felt a bit easier,
though still he could not settle stead
lily to his work. Joe's face, wearing
that gallant smile above the pain
marks, came between him and the
page he i'd. She stayed with MIN
so pers.stently; indeed, he shut MS
desk half an hour early, and went
scowling to the tiny chambers he had
maEaged to find in a quiet eddy OF the
tc wn.
They looked desolate enough, yet he
had thought them cosy. Joe was the
matter-even there she haunted him.
He went out quickly, made his way
to the park and walked there with
swinging strides, until almost mid
night Then suddenly he felt himself
faint with hunger, found an eating
place and fed himself decently. Aft
erward there was another stroll. The
moon had come up transforming mag,
ically even the sordid town. 1t was
late-after midnight-when he came
again to his own door and sat down
upon the steps for last bask in the
moonshine, last cigar.
At first he barely noted huddled
limp figure upon the farther end OF
the tcpmost step. 1t gave him turn
to have it suddenly slip down beside
him. Next minute Joe was saying in
breaks
= Johnny-I-youll have to send me
home-after all. I've found out
won't do-Tm too big a coward"
How did you make the discovery
Latimer asked teasingly, laying his
hand on her arm.
She drew away from him ever sc
gently. why you see-this way.
got the story-all right-and Parish
said could use 1t. But-but | founC
l couldn't do that. Why! Johnny the
whole secret is-Mrs. Norrowill loved
her husband SO she wouldn't stanC
in the way of his happiness after she
found out he loved somebody else
And she-she made believe to fir
with the other man-so her HUSBAND
would have a clear conscience. Coulc
you-could anybody, cruelty a woman
who would do that?"
Il know you couldn't" Latimer re
turned. his heart beating fast. He hat
heard more than the words-a subtly
vibrant sympathy. Joe must know
what that other woman felt-was 1
possible she had loved him, Latimer
all along? She was standing INSTEAD
lily upon her poor pinched feet.
1T was so kind Of you-sending tn,
check" she murmured. II had to com,
and tell you-when they said yo,
wereN out. l waited. Please fix 1t s,
| can go home Saturday-but under
stand l won't marry Billy"
"No-because you are going to maj
ry ma instead" Latimer answered
tucking her hand over his arm. g
am coming for you early in the fall
think you can be ready?"
I'm ready now-unless you wan
to send me away" Joe said. 30 low
so sweetly. Latimer had to kiss he
then and there, regardless OF tim
and place.
Copyright. 1872. by Associated Iiterar