The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-05-11

panlon Tor many weeks, and now, as
he gazed into her limpid eyes and con-
templated the perfect form, the ex-
quisite beauty of her face, the velvet
softness Of her skin. 1t was almost
more than he could do to restrain the
mad words Of love which struggled for
utterance.
But he dared not tell her of his pas
sion.
What right hal he, a clerk on
small salary. to love the daughter of
a wealthy banker?
II am sorry you must go back to
town tomorrow, Philip. Wouldn't it
be jolly If you could remain up here in
the hills another week? Elsie said,
just to bring the conversation around
to personal topics.
Thank you, Elsie. you don't know
how hate to leave here-you. shall
miss all this-but it will live long in
my memory"
you must come again; there will
always be welcome for you in our
home. Now we must join the others"
Let us say 'goodby' here. under
the roses"
Goodbye"
Eyes; you know leave at 5 in the
morning. / cannot expect you to dis
turb your rest at such an early hour"
"Goodby. Philip. I wish-I-oh.
we'll. good night and goodby!"
Silently he bent over her hand and
pressed his burning lips to its soft
surface.
The next moment she was gone, and
the light of the world had fed with
her.
On the train the next morning Philip
bought a paper, and the first thing
that met his eye as he glanced over
the headlines was:
POOLE G. HARTLEY FAIL
Banking House Closes It's Doors
Many Smaller Firms Go Under.
Announcement Causes Dismay in F.
nancial Circles.
As he read the account of the abso-
lutte failure of Elsie's father and his
business associates, Philip made a
great resolve. He would go back to
HiIlcrest on the first train, and be-
fore Elsie had seen a morning paper
would ask her to be his wife.
His pride would not allow him to
tell her of his love last night; but now,
when he knew of her fathers ruin, he
would not let her pride prompt her to
refuse his offer. He left the train at
the first stop, telephoned the bank
which employed him, got the details of
the failure from fellow-clerk to make
sure there was no mistake, and board
ed train for Hillcrest.
He found Elsie in the breakfast
room, gayly entertaining her guests
with stories of her childhood days on
a western ranch.
why, Philip, you didn't go, or you
missed your train; how jolly to have
you with us another day!" she ex-
claimed as he entered the room. Beg.
ging word with her alone as soon as
he could, he took her again to the rose
bower. and there told her Of his love
and begged her to marry him.
"But. Philip, l couldn't think Of It.
There il, such difference in our posi-
lions. /, a millionaire's daughter. and
you only bank clerk! Why, you
couldn't provide me with evening slip
pers. not to mention bread and butter
No, certainly not. Philip. I cannot
marry YOU"
For a moment Philip was stunned.
Then anger blazed up In him. COM
pletely drowning his finer feelings, for
he knew the girl cared for him.
Quietly taking the paper from his
pocket, he pointed to the front page
with staring headlines of her fathers
ruin.
You would show me that now,
Philip" and there was a look of pity
and contempt in her eyes, II knew all
about II yesterday afternoon. Father
telephoned me as soon as he was sure
of 1t himself You are almost a day
too hate with your magnanimous offer
of marriage"
But. Elsie, thought"
"Oh, yes, you thought all along Just
what / have told you. You allowed
your foolish pride to come first before
your love for me or mine for you. II
your love had been strong and brave
and true. you would have told me of it
yesterday-last night when we sat
here In the moonlight.
THE millionaire's daughter would
have been proud Of the love of the
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