The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-02-15

II you don't mind me mentioning II.
Iom, have been doing a little think
Ing lately, since you talked of finding
coal. May 1 suggest a little plan
You used to take my advice"
FIRE away, eunta, that's what l
Well 1T is this way. 1 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 inpatient
ly. IF you mean that Rose will marry
me now that 1 am rich"
Hush, Tom!!" she said softly.
Now listen to me. Rose is NO.
know a word about your good IucA.
Neither is anyone in town to know
1t for. little while. This is my plan
Tom Left half hour later thinking
what a wonder Aunt Polly was and
with determined set to his lips bod
ing good or i'll for some one.
Ohe day, a 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" sac
explained after he had kissed her.
j do not want it vanished. Did you
tell Simmons?"
Eric looked uncomfortable for q
minute, then walked to the window
and looked over at the house. DO
you Ike the place so we'll. Rose?"
Il love it. Why?"
Il have just sold it."
You what?"
Sold it,"
That house! Our house! Nine.
Sold it," -.
YES"
Rose sank into chair, white and
shaking. PLEASE explain"
He turned quickly. Il had too good
an offer to refuse. A firm in the city
offered me $4,000 for 1t and wanted
an immediate answer. You were in
Foxburg yesterday and / could not
wait to ask you. So l wired Yes
You didn't care SO much as that for
the mousse did you? We can put up
another"
She rose unsteadily. the tears start
Ing to her eyes. Il must think il all
over Eric u am little upset. Good
by"
Alone in her room. Rose began to
tnlnk as she had not done for months.
The sale Of thu house, his Wecd.oy
gIc 10 her. had given her a sudden
jolt. But after ALI a house is only
a mousse her common sense kept tell
ing ls' She must do netting f,r
which she would be sorry. Surely
his thoughtlessness could not kill real
It all out Then she realized for the
nist ulhe that her feeling for the
Soutnerner was no. love at all.
She cried EeIseif to sleep that night
of Tom "Oh, what have I
dore?' She Inoaned. 81 have spo,I,d |
LIS life and mine, but / would rather
live m cave with i'm than in a pal |
ace with Eric"
In the morning she awoke clear
headed and courageous. Before she
dressed she wrote TWO notes. one IN |
rr1c' breaking tEe engagement and |
very short one to Tom mere'T ask
hR L::a 1" Come - see her - sra |
lad something - -: lin.
Tom vat 20 Roses bcuse. i.t IA
10. I'en su rlstn TO get tn. no.
rose trying to look matter-of fact
-0 NASAAuCOD met MIN a. the door.
And Tom pretended not to notice her
burning cheeks and eyes which threat
med to run over.
Il will just keep you a minute.
Fom' she said simply, but 1 want
"a you to know something. 1t is due
'ou. You were entirely in the right
When we quarreled and / am very
sorry. was wrong and l want Won
o know it. And another thing"
She stopped suddenly, then caught her
breath and the color left her face.
i have broken my engagement to Mr..
j think you should be the
lrst one to know it. l discovered
uite accidentally that l did not love
i'm. That is all, Tom" she said ris-
ng and holding out her hand with a
mile, except that mother and | are
.oing away tomorrow for a month
r two and 1 will say goodby. Do say
am forgiven, / would feel better
bout it. you know"
Tom looked at her steadily, then
ook her little pink hand In his. Slow
he reached for the other and got it. ,
Rose!"
Rose dropped her eyes and turned ,
rimson again.
Rose do you Low eme?"
No answer.
Tell me. Do you love me?"