The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-08-01

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was taking nap" In her sitting room
when Tom drove in at the gate,
What news, Tommy? Sit right
down here. Nov tell me-is there
much coal on the farm"
Yes, Aunt Polly, acres OF 1t they
say. Congratulate me. l am a rich
man."
BLESS your heart, Tommy" said
the old lady, wiping her eyes with the
corner of her apron. Il am so glad.
so glad for you"
Thanks, Aunt Polly, but riches do
me little good now" he returned a
little bitterly.
The old lady locked at Tom keen.
ly. IF you don't mind me mention
ing it, Tom, have been doing a lit.
tie thinking lately, since you talked
of finding coal. May suggest lit.
tie plan? You used to take my
advice"
Fire away. auntie. that's what |
came for"
We'll, 1t is this way. l hate to see
fine girl like Rose Marshall throw
herself away on that southern dude,
and ruin her life at the same time.
Her heart is in the right place, but
her head has been turned by Pres.
colts attentions and his house. Now
that you have some money"
Money! he interrupted impatient.
ly. IF you mean that Rose will mar
ry me now that am rich"
Hush, Toni" she said softly. Now
listen to me. Rose Is not to know a
word about your good luck Neither
is anyone In town to know 1t for a
little while This is my plan"
Tom left a half hour later thinking
what wonder Aunt Polly was and
with determined set to his lips bod.
ing good or i'll for someone.
One day, week or so before the
wedding, Rose stopped in to see Eric
at his office.
I've come to ask about the window
seat In the dining-room, Eric" she ex-
planned after he had kissed her IL do
not want it vanished. Did you tell
Simmons?"
Eric looked uncomfortable for a
minute, then walked to the window
and looked over at the house. DO
you like the place so well, Rose?"
Il love it. Why?"
Il have just sold It,"
You what?"
Sold it,"
THAT house! Our house. Minsl
Sold it,"
Yes I.A..,ultn.y al,
Rose sank into a chair. white ana
shaking. please explain"
He turned quickly. Il had too good
an offer to refuse A firm in the city
offered me ten thousand for it and
wanted an immediate answer. You
were in FoXbu-g yesterday and could
not wait to ask you. SO | wired
Yes You didn't care so much as
that for the house, did you? We can
put up another"
She rose unsteadily, the tears start
ing to her eyes. Il must think it all
over Eric. | am little upset. Good
by"
Alone in her room, Rose began to
think as she had not done for
months. The sale of the house, his
wedding gift to her, had given her a
sudden Jolt. But after all a house is
only house, her common sense Kept
telling her. She must do nothing for
which she would be sorry. But some
thing was wrong with her. All her
feeling for Eric seemed dead. Surely
his thoughtlessness could not kill
real love Sc easily. Rose sat and
thought it all out Then she realized
for the first time that her feeling for
the southerner was not love at all.
She cried herself to sleep that night
thinking of Tom. "Oh, what have |
done?' she moaned. Il have spoiled
his life and mine, but | would rather
live in cave with him than in pal
ace with Eric"
In the morning she awoke clear
headed and courageous. Before she
dressed she wrote two notes, one to
Eric breaking the engagement, and a
very short one to Tom, merely asking
him to come to see her as she had
something to explain.
Tom went to Roses house. He had
not been surprised to get the note.
Rose, trying to look matter-of-fact
and dignified, met him at the door.
And Tom pretended not to notice her
burning cheeks and eyes which
threatened to run over.
Il will just keep you minute,
Tom," she said simply, but | wanted
you to know something. 1t is due you.
You were entirely in the right when
we quarreled and | am very sorry. /
was wrong and | want you to know It,
And another thing" She stopped
suddenly, then caught her breath and
the color LETT her faee. Il have broken
my engagement to Mr.. Prescott. |
think you should be the first one to
know it. | discovered quite accident
ally that l did not love him. That is
all, Tom" she said, rising and holding
out her hand with a smile, except
that mother and | are going away to-
morrow for month or two and will
say good-by Do say l am forgiven.
[ would feel better about 1t, you