The Penn's Grove record., 1912-04-19

COulSuL, lu6 QTSdIl6SL III William L dill
tng's young life. From the. past Octo-
Der when he had ceased to be, so far
as Betty was concerned, he had SIM
ply set his teeth sad endured things.
grinding out routine work in the Of
fee as though f1ends pursued. For
the rest. he ate and slept-when he
could. He knew work was his only
s~alvation, though he had now nothing
to make money for. Betty was not
going to marry him. Washburn had
won out with her.
Not that she had ever promised to
asked her. The word love had not
been spoken between them. But he
had been SO happily confident the
whole beautiful summer and autumn
that she cared Just as he did. They
had been inseparable to such an ex-
tent that Jerry Washburn had appar-
emily given up his long pursuit OF the
girl and had gone back east" Wash
burn had money, and ability, too.
Now Failing cursed himself for not
having made sure of the girl in words.
He had not spoken because he was
working so desperately to be made
Junior partner in his business, so that
he might have something definite to
offer her.
The shock had come in October.
One evening he had taken Betty out
on the lake, and they had spent hours
Of delight in the flooding moonlight.
The next morning the senior partner
had called him into the Throne
Room" and after much pompous prel-
ude made him junior partner with a
fourth interest in the business, and
an increase of salary that made his
heart leap B~etty-wards. Excited, ex-
ultant, he had tried to thank the Sc
Nor partner, but the wise old chap
had waved him away.
You'll be no good for ome time
get out of here and take a vacationi
Off with you!" Failing had snatched
his hat. Then he ran out to the street
and walked towards Betty's home. He
had to feel the ground under his feet
he could not have endured a street
car!
When he reached the big old place
and had rung the bell, the little maid
admitted him. Miss Betty was out
for a walk. Would he see anyone else?
She would be back in an hour or so.
William Failing could bear the sight
of no one else just then, and he
couldn't wait d~ecorously, so he went
or,f onain IJo would ryoJly about.
haps he would meet her. His head
and his heart were high.
And never through a long life would
he forget the heart-sickness Of the
rest. Down the street he had swung
all radiant with joy, and turning a
corner had almost run over little EVE
Cross, Betty's house guest, for whom
he had never cared much. Her big
eyes were almost feverishly bright,
but her cheeks were pale and she was
manifestly excited. To pass time he
turned and walked with her a little.
You're a laggard in love!" she
flung at him. "Lochinvar has come
out of the east and captured your fair
lady. He came last night, and invited
himself to breakfast this morning. He
dragged her off before he really de-
Gently could. l went off by myself,
but l saw them coming in the woods
Just now" Then she chartered on
about anything, everything. Failing
left her as soon as he could.
So Washburn was back! Well, he
was sorry for the fellow! Failing
gave EWES chaff no credence. AL
most unconsciously he made his way
through the wood to the crooked path
she loved so we'll.
Then, quite suddenly, he had seer
what made his heart stand still. He
turned away after a heart-sick instant.
Washburn, Drowned and big, was lean
ing over Betty, his Betty, kissing both
her small hands. Failing had never
dared as much. Ewes words came to
him, and he strobe away, blinded by
hurt and anger.
William Failing had gone straight
home and packed his things. Then he
made a call at the office and bank,
bought a ticket, and by night was on
his way to Colorado for a months va
cation in the wilds, taking his misery
with him.
Finally he had come grimly back
to work as though fiend-pursued. He
heard no word of her, and could not
to save her life have asked a question
about her.
The long winter had dragged along.
H. h-I 49, -yI&-. uz.-
no invitations, kept out of everything
where he might meet her, pleading
business until his friends began to let
him alone with a vengeance. Finally
overwork, no recreation, and trouble
made him afraid that he was going to
be i'll, that he would have to give up
and go away from 1t all.
1t was a day in February that he
had again seen Betty. This time it
was, in a book shop. Her eyes were
bent over an open volume, AMI before
she saw him he had time to notice
deep shadows beneath them, and that
her small ungloved hands had grown
transparency fragile. There was no
look of bridal happiness about her.
Then spring came, at a leap, a sud-
den warmth, a melting, an
able time when old men croaked of
danger to fruit trees, and morning
papers interviewed doctors as to the
effect of such warm spells on the pub
lie health.
William Failing began to gather
himself together, and take new heart.