Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-19
DENTHORN ROAD was one VI
those thorouEhfares which nave

those thoroughfares which nav,
gradually come 10 "a state OF
shabby gentnity after a period ~ az
fluence.
The houses were tall and bleak and
fronted with grim stucca all i'm that
manner which our forefarhers found
SO desirable. once they had been eN-
pensive houses. teuantcG uy people 81
wealth and social standing, but uoH
The Gables, halfway down the roaf
struck the only firm note Of resist
ance to the general air 81 degayus
prosperity Curtains always hung
primly in its easements. the frills ~
the muslin window blinds always
seemed newly starched, and the steps
Of the front door We're always "a mar
vel Of wilderness.
People wondered why Miss Margaret
Weston. who lived there IN state with
servants did not move out Of local
ity which was deterioratinE so rapid
ly. Some holder spirits even asked
her why she stayed on at The Gables
instead Of letting It, and departing To
reside In a street more BETTING her
quality To these Miss Weston an
swered gently that she had lived In
The Gables most OF her life, and had
no desire TO change now.
Miss Weston always answered
everybody gently, for gentlcuess was
the essence Of her being. The neigh
bors referred to her as an "old maid,
but. even as they used the phrase,
they knew it was not the exact term
BY which 90 describe her There was
none OF that sharpness about he"
which the epthet Of old maid" habit
ually implies.
Long ago. when she was a little
orphan girl Of z. her uncle had adopt
ed her and brought her to live IN
Penthorn Road But now both her
uncle and his wife We're dead. and
Miss Weston was left alone I'm the old
home. save for the servants
Rather "a pitifuI romance was Miss
Weston's II was simply the old story
Of the man who had not dared euOugn.
the man who had leaped 10 false con
illusions and had gone out Of her life,
10 leave her alone.
Sometimes. when she tenderiy took
q packet of letters ont Of her bureau,
there was one particular mlssiyr
which she had not the heart 10 re
read. for 70 was too sacred with poign
ant memories.
Her Dream.
But always she remembered the
night when II was handed TO her. She
had only 90 close her ewes again TO
visualize the scene completely.
she saw herself quite young, sit
ting before the fire on an autumn
evening She was trying 90 under
Il
in. Harry DuttOn, gone off to the Col
onies without word Of farewell 90
her. He had made quite sudden
departure, though he had told her that
he was going And yet he had never
said good bye 10 her.
And while she was seeking 20 un-
derstand his attitude the small son o.
a neighbor had come into the room
shamefacedly
Il say, Miss Weston" he blurted
out I'm awfully sorry, but clean
forgot"
Forgot what?" she asked. puzzled
why, this letter Mr. Dutton gave
il to me % give TO You He wanted
evening I've lust remembered IT,"
when did BE give II 10 you?' she
whispered
Last Thursday. And I'm awfully
sorry"
Last Thursday" she said to her.
self. when the small boy escaped from
the room In relief THAT was two
days before he sailed"
SAe opened the letter and read its
C6nfeats.
Dearest Margaret" Il ran-"As
you know, ] sail for South America
the day after tomorrow. Before ! SO
] want To ask you something. but
fear II win be too much To ask you
You must have guessed that / love
YOU know II is presumption on my
part 20 aspire TO your hand. for you