Mexico Missouri message., 1912-10-03


well invested somewhere, aud that |
when located any Judge or jury would |
give II to the widow and daughter. lie |
left her almost happy, clinging 10
his hand and begging him to come
again.
This was in May, when the Srass
was greening on the slopes and the
outdoor world began to be gay. Riv-
ers relented towards poor Jen, the
lovelorn, and made himself useful es-
corting Miss Wiley. Miss Wentworth
smiled on JEFF And as for Mamie
Wiley, Rivers soon began telling him
self that IL man wished to marry,
she was the woman to choose. She
had health, dignity, beauty, social 90
sition, even "a small fortune. Rivers
wanted to be in love with her Finally
he made himself think that he YVES In
love with her. She frankly preferred
him to an extent that discouraged 9th
er suitors. one day walking with her
on the street they met Annie Nor
row in her little blue gown and sim
pie hat. Rivers lifted his hat with
an unconscious homage which Mamie
! whey instantly observed.
Who is that pale little thing? Rath-
er pretty though
Miss Morrow, a client Of mine
His very thought protected her from
another woman's comment Rather
pretty! Why, she was lovely! He
had a moments panied wonder why
Annie, during all his visits to her
mother held herself so aloof, She
would give him cup of tea, join cour-
teously in the conversation, but she
was his client, nothing more. She
, worked silently, courageously, And
he more and more devoted himself to
the failing invalid
One balmy evening late in May he
was dressing to go out with Miss
, Wiley JEFF and Rose Wentworth, when
: Annie phened him. Her mother was
. failing rapidly and wished to see him.
Instantly he called up Annie Wiley,
telling her that important work for "A
client had just come in, that keep
r ing his engagement was impossible,
b. that he would come out in the morn
ing to be forgiven for having to deny
n himself a pleasure. She excused him
}. prettily enough, but laughed over the
phone
I It's quite all right. Is y your pref
a ty girl client?" He simply answered
Q that the matter could not be post
q poned Then he took the first car tc
q the Morrows.
The doctor and neighbors were
" there, and Annie met him at the door
IA 20 To AZ
o something to make her mother thinl
the money would be found. This h'
ia did manfully, promising to be thu
~ girls guardian, and see that all wen
" well with her.
10 The end came suddenly. Annie wa
10 dry-eyed and white, with no word 70
a anyone. He helped her through tn
10 funeral, but that over she went bac
to her work, refusing help from hiT
o. further She was going to keep tn
r.. rooms to the months end.
or After that Rivers worried about he
IT. went frequently to see her, and was 6
preoccupied that Mamie Wiley pr
T.. fessed herself not greatly amused b
his society. What troubled him wa
~ that Annie held to her queer, cool. In
n. personal attitude to him, as thong
IA he were an enemy, and not her guar,
hs ian. He could not, moreover, bear
70 have her clerking in a store, CROWN
ht paler and thinner. Together they hs
In again searched all her fathers effect
nv and in vain as before.
as One Saturday night, on an impuls
oh Rivers went out and found Arm
t,I, oh al
ae were flushed feverishly, and her ey'
nd big and bright. He demanded e1pl
ed nations, standing over her.
I'm going back to Alta, where v
at used to live. can't stand this lii
/ may be a coward. 1t may be vic
ON ed, but-Tm going" She could n
an finish, but he suddenly knew that a
nd was telling him she was to be mi
nIv ried. A wave of pain swept ov
oId him, and then he knew his hea
oct do you love him." he asked 6
Ais ruptly," taking her hands.
tho Il have known him all my life-y
, Ia have no right"
all Il have. love you. You shall 1
,od go unless you tell me truthfully Il
ave you do not love me! You must
IN. wild to think of marrying anyone els
ftv You do love me, don't you? do
inc you?" Still she drew away from hi
.du, but tears rolled down her chez
has helplessly. He had both her hands.
mai. Therefore he dried the tears W
her his handkerchief, and when her e!
smiled at him, he held her close
ra moment and kissed her soft hair.
consciously he stepped back 6
, - knocked a pile of old books to
|, - floor with crash A big dictioni
,,Iv fell open. He stopped to pick it
no and a crisp yellow bill fiuttered fr
o., the leaves. Then he shook out c
-ou ers. and turned to take the girl ag
ked in his arms.
for See how | kept my promise to y
nor mother? Do you see, Annie?'
~ she no longer cared for the mon
"a She rested against him and or
"a herself out of grief into contentmt