The Van Buren press., 1912-06-01

know what a wonder you are In this
workaday world? In the cities men
fight for happiness. and out here
you let it slip by you without strug'
gle"
III Jim would only come back.
said Mary wistfully, Il wouldn't need
anything else to make me happy.
Miss Harrill. pondering on that
statement. felt herself moved to play
Fate In the life OF this pretty girl.
who was losing youth and Joy be-
cause of the selfish whim of an old
man. She resolved that she would
hunt Jim and find him for Mary.
She located him at last far up the
coast. He was working In a yacht
yard
Miss Harrill made quick journey
and arrived at the yerd one sunshlny
day In October. On the pretense Oh
looking around, she made her way 10
where Jim worked on strange crait
of aluminium and light wire and can
vas. which looked like a gigantic
dragon-fy.
What is it?" she inquired.
IAN airship" said the man. ITS
a water ship, too. Swims the water
like a duck, and rises like a gull.
Miss Harrill, thinking OF Mary 8
dream. asked an eager question.
Have you ever been up In IL?
Yes" said the man. Once, and
| was nearly killed. | wasn't used
to the mechanism, and | landed up
side down in the water"
Did you think OF any one as you
came DOWN."
The man looked up quickly
What makes you ask thatT he de-
manded
Well" Miss Harrill said slowly,
81 know a girl who dreamed that a
man came to her over the water IN
a flying ship, and as she watched, 1t
rose in the air, and his eyes looked
down at her"
The man leaned forward and spoke
breathlessly: What was the girls
narne?"
The girls name" said Miss Har-
rill. softly, was Mary-Mary Dean
She saw the softened look that came
over the grim face.
Tell me-" she said, eagerly, ARE
you married, Jim Babcock?"
NO" he said, there's only one
woman in the world for me, and that
Mary Dean"
Then go to her and tell her"
She doesn't love me-" he said.
Then he stopped and looked at the
stylish woman before him.
who are your" he asked, almost
roughly Have you any message for
me from Mary Dean?"
NO" she said gently, but | know
her. Every summer | have been at
the old farmhouse for the three
months, And | have seen the girl
who makes it a place Of rest and com
fort for two old people. And | have
seen the sadness In her eyes, and this
year more than ever began to see
how youth and Joy are passing her
by. And the other day, for the first
time, she revealed to me that only one
man could bring brightness to her
eyes, and happiness to her heart-and
that man is-you."
She saw light leap into the mans
eyes, but his tone was surly as he
demanded; How did you find me?"
q am rich," she said lightly. Il
gave detective certain clues. 1t
wasn't hard-and then ! came to see
for myself"
And now that you have come he
said deiiantly, what do you think OF
me?"
Il like you" she said frankly, in
spite Of your rough manner.
shouldn't forgive your rudeness II |
didn't know that you've been hurt,
and that your heart is sore" She
held out her hand to him.
Isn't that true?" she asked softly.
His chest heaved. How do you
know"
Because |, too, have suffered" "
said Miss Harrill with quick little
catch OF her breath, Long years
ago the man | loyed-went away,
and he never came back"
The man stammering for words
Of comfort, said. Perhaps he will
yet"
"He cannot" said Miss Harrill,
and he saw how white she was and
shaken. He died-wthout forgiv'
ing me-"
The man opposite her went white
too, at that. Let me go to her" he
cried. Let me go TO Mary"
The next year Miss Harrill rock
ing in the big chair by the sunlight
ed window watching Mary shell peas
for the days dinner, asked slyly.
40 you believe In dreams, Nary
The young wife looked up. III
hadn't told you NINE" she said
radlantly 81 should stIl be longing
for Jim and he would be longing foI
me, and our hearts would be break