The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-08-24

Leave me alone now" she urged.
Il want to think 1t over before I an.
swer you positively"
And so 1t was that she sat there,
chin In hand, elbow on knee, looking
out across the valley basking in the
sunlight. Marshall came upon her.
She could not quite keep the gladness
out Of her eyes as she looked up and
saw him, stalwart and strong, with
his youthful dreams still in his brown
eyes.
1T is great to be back in the
mountains, Anne. You look today Just
as you did that morning up at old
Chester when went to stammer good.
bye to you. was such a kid. Re-
member?"
Anne tossed the petals of a wild
rose on the clear little stream that
flowed from Deep Rock.
NO." she said. quietly. "That was
long time ago."
whats the matter with your
memory, Amer You've changed.
couldn't sleep last night for thinking
that you left the ballroom after
seeing me without coming to vel.
come me. You meant home to me.
That's why I followed you to the
mountains"
you don't know how hard it is to
speak to anybody when Standfield ia
around"
"standfield Meyers? What has he
to do with your attitude to your old
friends?"
Il am going to marry him." Anne
wondered why her voice did not
CULVER with her heart.
Without a word he turned and
started down the path.
'Tom." questioned Anne, a tiny
pulse hammering in her throat,
tom, won't you wish me joy?"
He came back then, his hand out,
the old brave smile OF his youth
lighting his face.
II was beast, Anne, dear. OF
course wish you Joy. It knocked
me over a bit to hear the news. !
was selfish, thinking only of my
own loss. You see, have always
foolishly, Of course-believed that you
were mine. It has never occurred
to, me that any man could take you
away from me-"
"Oh," cried Anne, you mustn't talk
to me like that. What would your
wife think If she heard?"
my what?"
Your wife. You wrote me about q
girl you said was very pretty. You
wanted to read one of my letters tc
her, and when you didn't answer my
letter."
Didn't answer? wrote to. you
four or five times while l was hurt
"Hurt?" cried Anne, in alarm. "Oh
Tom, how?"
PONY, bucked with me and un
fortunately got mixed up with ma
chine that happened to be passing
The boys hurried me off to st. 10
seph's hospital. where they patched
up one shoulder and an arm until
they are as good as new"
| All the mothers solicitude deep II
the heart Of every woman for the
only man. although he may be bel
senior by many years, showed II
Anne's eager, tender questioning.
"Why didn't you let me know
Tom? Mother and I would have gone
to you. Haven't you always known
that I would do anything for your"
"All but the greatest thing, Anne
the giving Of yourself
Aren't you married, Tom!"
mo, never wanted any woman but
you. My brother and his wife met
me and came on to meet you, but you
had gone. I absolutely held your
father up and demanded to know
where you were."
Il haven't answered standfield yet
Tom. It would be a crime to marry
anybody but you. My pride was
hurt"
You'll have to marry me now, to
day." said Marshall, his arms about
her. Then we'll go west and shoot
up the town until I find out what be
came of our letters"
"Alls we'll that ends WELL" laughed
the girl happily, while hooking bird
broke into melody Of Silver song
somewhere in the young green
branches overhead.
copyright, 1912. by Associated Literary
Press)