The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-11-16
CHAPTER XXI.

OF the weeks that followed.
After June the moth hunts
~ grew less freQuent-the fields
and woods were secured for material
for Elnora's grade work. Mrs. Com
stock was great help. Always her
practical thought and sterling CON-
mon sense were useful When they
were afield until exhausted they came
back to the cabin for food, to prepare
specimens and classify them and to
talk over the day.
One warm August afternoon a blue
coated messenger entered the gate.
Il have a message for Philip Am
mon."
Mrs. Comstock stepped to the back
door and changed the dinner bell sharp
~, paused a second and rang again.
In a short time Ammon and Elnora
came.
Are you i'll, mother?" cried Elnora.
Mrs. Comstock indicated the boy.
'There is an important message for
Philip" she said.
Ammon muttered an excuse and tore
open the telegram. His color faded
slightly. II have to take the first
train," he said. MY father is i'll and
am needed"
He said goodby to Mrs. Comstock,
repeatedly thanked her for all her
kindness and turned to Elnora..
Twill you walk to the edge of the
Limberlost with me?" he asked. FL
nora assented. Mrs. Comstock follow.
ed to the gate. urged him to come
again soon and repeated her goodby.
Then she went back to the arbor to
await Elnora's return. AS she watch
ed down the road she smiled softly. (,
Il had an idea he would speak to ME
first" she thought. but this may
change things some. He hasn't time.
Elnora will come back a happy girl,
and she has good reason. He is a
model young man. Her lot will be
! mighty different from mine."
On the road Elnora spoke first. II
do hope it is nothing serious" she said.
us he usually strong?"
"Quite strong" said Philip. II am
not alarmed, but am very much
ashamed. l have allowed him to over
tax himself until he Is down. and
mother and Polly are north at our cot
tage. He's never been sick before.
and it's probable / am to blame that
he is now"
"You have had a fine timer" asked
Elnora.
They had reached the fence. Am.
mon yaulted over to take a short cut
across the fields. He turned and look
ed at her.
THE best, the sweetest, the most
wholesome time any man ever had in
this world" he said. "Elnora. If /
talked hours l couldn't make you un-
derstand what girl l think you are.
never in all my life hated anything
as l hate leaving you. 1t seems to me
that have not strength to do it,
III you have got anything worth
While from me-" said Elnora, that
should be it-just to have strength to
go to your duty and to go quickly.
Goodby! You must hurryv'
Ammon gazed at her. He tried to
drop her hand and only clutched it
closer. Suddenly he drew her toward
him. 'Elnora." he whispered. Twill
you kiss me goodbye
| Elnora drew back and stared at him
with wide eyes. I'D strike you soon.
err" she said. "Have l ever said O,
done anything in your presence that
| made you feel free to ask that, Philip
Ammon?"
mo" painted Ammon. mo! l think
SO much of you just wanted to touch
your lips once before left you. YOU
know, Elnora''-
Don't distress yourself" said Ell
nora calmly. II am broad enough tt
judge you sanely. know what you
mean. 1t would be no harm to you
It would not matter to me, but here w
will think of some one else. Edit
Carr would not want your lips tomor
row If she knew they had touched mine
today. I was wise to say Go quick
ly.'"
Ammon still chung to her. "Will YOU
write me?'' he begged.
NO." said Elnora. "There is moth
ing to say save goodby. We can dc
that now" 49,.
Ammon held on. "Promise that you
will write me only one letter. be
urged. Il want just one message from
you to lock in my desk and keep al
ways: Promise you will write once, Fl
nora" 49,,
Elnora looked straight into his eyt1
and smiled serenely. ''1f the, talkin,
trees tell me this winter the secret q
how man may grow perfect ! VII
write you what It Is, Philip. IN al th'