The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-05-16
ssS9} 3
The Wayfarer
Copyright. 1919. by Associated Literary Press.)
BY MAUDE BERNARD

| Esmond turned an angry face zap
to him. what have you to say about
it?" he snarled.
Something" said the Wayfarer,
quietly, Il know your reputation in
town, Esmond-and Cecily is too
sweet to be hurt by YOU"
I'm love with her yourself?" de-
manded Esmond.
Perhaps. But that has nothing to
do with the case. You'd better pack
up your pictures, and run along
home"
I'll take Cecily with me-" said the
ether.
Il think not" said the Wayfarer,
because when Cecily learns the truth
dent think she will want to go"
It's a pretty small thing for one
man to talk about another"
mot when the other is using the
hospitality of a girls father to ac-
complish his own ends. I shall tell
Drake what-I know Of your past He
can decide whether 1t ia necessary to
warn Cecily. Personally, / don't be-
lieye that Cecily will miss you after
you have been away week"
Like your"
Sat least l can offer clean hands
and true and steadfast affection"
The next day the artist went in
town.
After his departure Cecily dropped
and faded
"Can it be that she really loved
him?" the Wayfarer often asked
himself.
He tried in every way to make her
happy.
I'm an old fellow" he said, "Dut
really / know some interesting
things"
Cecily began to enjoy the walks
with him. He did not talk to her as
Bruce had dcne of the beauty of her
eyes and the charm of her smile. But
he had way of telling her things that
were delightful, and as time went on
Cecily began to feel that she was in
close communion with a wonderful
heart and mind.
You don't paint your pictures"
she said one day, timidly. 'You tell
them"
Such a sweet comradeship as 1t
grew to be! The Wayfarer sent to
town, now and then, for books, and
once there was box of candy, and
at another time wonderful bunch
Of violets.
How extravaganza" said Cecily,
shifting the flowers with delight.
But you like Them" said the Way
farer
One day Bruce Esmond came back.
Il have perfect right to come"
he said to the Wayfarer, Il am free"
Legally?" was the question.
"A divorce" said Esmond. Nov |
shall marry Cecily."
The anger of the Wayfarer burst
out. You shall not have her." he
said. ''You will break her heart as.
you have broken the hearts of other
women who have trusted you-you
shall not have her."
And just then some one said behind
them, Are you talking about me?"
Cecily stood there, looking at them
with grave eyes.
1t was Esmond who answered her.
"He says shall not marry you," he
said. "And probably you think treat
ed you badly because / wooed you
before l was free. But I loved you so
much, Cecily. And he-he has moth
ing but his money"
Cecily looked up at the Wayfarer.
Does he mean-that-tha you are
rich?" she asked.
Eyes" said the Wayfarer.
"But you came tramping along the
road like any common traveller"
because / was tired of the things
that riches could bring IL wanted
other things7like love-Cecily."
And so they stood before her, these
two men, asking, pleading for her
favor.
Cecily sobbed with her face in her
hands.
GO away" she said. Ego away. both
of you"
But az the Wayfarer went slowly.
she cried after him, "Oh, shall miss
our long walks together, and the
books"
He turned back. why should my
money stand in the way?"
.:"You deceived me-" she said, "and
and if / should say yes now you
might think it was because I wanted
to be rich
IT should think it was because you
loved me-" he said.
From the other side of the hedge
Bruce spoke, bitterly, Its always
wealth that wins"
But Cecily smiled at him.
''He has taught me something that
you will never know" she said 81
ask only that we shall be good COM
rades along the road-wayfarers to-
gether-until death parts