Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-05-24

portant business letter which must
have Il prompt reply and immediate.
ly sought the Office of public stenog.
rapher. Miss Margaret Owen was
the name inscribed in gilt above the
doorway, and as David entered q stout
old man passed out. The stenogra.
piers sanctum was separated from
the outer room by heavy curtains,
which parted presently to admit the
gray clad figure Of dainty little woI
man. A great bunch Of apple blossom5
were fastened at her belt. David saw
the blossoms before he met the stead /
light Of her clear blue eyes.
NELL" be cried sharply. She dreY
back hastily.
David" she breathed.
ut is good to see you, N-Nell," Id
said. stammering in his joy like 4
schoolboy. Never expected to find
you here. IL am looking for public
stenographer."
The little gray figure retreated to-
ward the curtains; then Miss Nell
laughed tremulously. 81, too, wished
TO engage Miss Owens services" sha
said. but have learned that she will
not be here this afternoon"
The man stood looking at her for d
moment; then with a quick stride hd
crossed the room.
Nell" he entreated. grant me d
few moments alone. Is your office oa
studio In this building?"
"Yes." she answered, and her tonG
was quite composed, II am locatef
ulated each other upon our phenomena
success" smiled up 1T him-"theI 4
it will be wiser to shake hands sin
ply and say goodby. You have bee
successful. David?"
81 suppose so, Nell" he said. e!
least | have made some money. Th
spells success. does ii not" Dav
caught his breath sharply and hurri
on: my life has been like that famo
picture Of yours. Nell. There ha!
been blossoms along the way,
course, but the blossoms never last
long. while the fruit Of my labors
that's the money-is garnered ava #
somewhere. l don't seem to enjoy
SO now there is nothing but the bal
Tree with its naked branches. 'Bereft
isn't that what you call it,"
The girl drew farther back against
the curtains. Her face had grown very
white.
II must speak, Nell," David said
tensely. II have waited too long to
miss this chance Fame is not salts
flying thing, dear, and now that / bow
humbly before you, acknowledging
your skill and your triumphs, won't
you come and fill this empty life Of
mine with happiness? l do not ask
the sacrifice Of your beautiful dreams,
dear one crave but the privilege tc
care for you, to be near you. VIII you
come?'
mo-" she answered gently, mo, Da
vd, for l must always dream my
dreams alone
David turned abruptly to go. AS he
reached the door it was thrust open to
admit the same stout old gentleman,
who waved Il fat hand In greeting to.
ward the figure huddled against the
curtains"
"AIiss Owen" he cried, glad to find
you here. Will you now finish that in.
terrupted dictation?'
The old mans query was met with
silence, while NelPs sweet face chang.
ed from white to crimson in the most
alarming manner. David hesitated a
moment uncertainty: then his puzzled
expression gave way to one Of sudden
enlightenment.
"Beg pardon, sir" be asked the be-
wldered old man, but Is this lady
generally known us Mss Owen, the
public stenographer|
Certainly" the man responded
she is Miss Owen"
Dayid's laugh rang out boyishly. "In
that case" he said. Il will have to
keep you waiting while I discuss a
er-busness matter with Miss Owen.
will not detain you long," he added
in low tone as the stenographer tim
lilly followed him into her private sane
tum.
Then when the curtains had been
carefully adjusted he caught the little
gray figure up in masterful embrace
while the crushed blossoms gave forth
dying fragrance.
$50" lie said breathlessly, "this is
what you have been doing all along,
working away here night and day in
order to send them money at home,
buryins your aspira tions under cloak
Of deceit that they might not be disap-
pointed in your career and living un-
der an assumed name so that they may
never learn of your sacrifice. Girl.
girl. how could you do it,"
"All your prophecies came true. Da-
vid," she said. II was complete fail
IRE as far as art was concerned; even
when | tried to pass off my paintings
as impressionist pictures they would
not take them" Her little smile Of
mockery vanished. Il could not bear
to disilluSionize them at home" she
continued. THE faith Of those two old
people was n thing that one could not
lightly destroy, and so ! drifted on
until the weaving Of the wonderful
tales I wrote became my chief delight
and the game Of make believe SUBJ
Stitute for the reality"
Il have been too yielding and pa