The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-10-14
IheIiA Shoe

In the crate The lire had burned
down to ashes and the lamp on the
library table. forlaok'o Of Gil. gave only
a feeble light: but ClarksCn was I'M
conscious that the glow Of the fire
was abzcnt and thatJthe room was
fast growing dark Nothing was in
his mind now but the thought that
after the morrow lie and Floy would
be as strangers-Rfter the morrow they
would probably never meet again, for
all the business necessary &C the set
thing up Of their aff;irs would be doe
by their lawyers.
1t had been six years Stree they
first crossed the threshold Of this
room-she a shy tr tof 10 and -!e a
happy bridegroom Of barely 90. lie
could see her now as she had looked
that night. As her. toy.hushed facs
and her scailet lips. wearing that
eager smile, came before his vision
his heart cried ont that they we're to
I've apart. he reproached himself
that he had noe forbidden Floy tn
leave him. but they had gradually
drlfted apart and he had been TOO
proud to say a word, II little Doris
hqL been spared TO thql everything
would have been different. but she
had stayed with them only two short
years. ,-.
Floy was upatqirs. and uEt. now
he had beard her soft football over.
head as she walked to and fro, at
tending to some of the last prepare
items OF packing. But there YVES
silence now. lie wondered what she
was doing. Sic could hardly have
finished 81 soon. He rose from his
chair and stepped out into the hall.
The pain in his heart deepeaed as
his eyes fell upon the dtmiy Outlined
boxes that stood there. They con-
tanned some of the smaller house
hold goods and in the morning they
would be sent away to be stored.
He had not been abe to bear the
thought of selling them. Perhaps he
Lad entertained 4 faint hope that
the separation would not take place,
but 1t was too late now, and that
hope had died.
Clarkson made a move as If he
would ascend the stairs, as II he
would go to her, but the next moment
he went slowly back into the library,
AS he sank wcariiy into the chair by
the cherries fire he noted hAif-con.
sciously that Frico. Floy's la: spaniel
had com1 into the room and was
tossing something about. But h. paid
no attention to 1t until some moments
later, when the little animal brought
the object over to him and dropped
it at his feet. He started as his eyes
fell upon tiny shoe With a cry
he picked It up and examined it. 1t
had been white once, but now it was
soiled and Scared Their baby girl
had worn it.
Suddenly thought flashed into his
mind which brought, him to his feet.
How had FrIco gotten the little sEoe?
Intuitively he knew what the silence
upstairs meant now, HG would go to
Floy, and he would not let her go
away. This time, he did not hesitate.
The door of her room was, half
open and Clarkson heard a sob. It
was as.fhe thought. Sitting on the
floor was Floy. She had taken out
enc of the bureau draw, ers, and beside
her were scattered small garments
and toys. She was fondling a little
dress, and her tears fell upon IT.
How could he intrude upon this
sacred scene, he asked himself. He
made movement as II to go away.
but slight as it was. Floy heard it.
Looking up shHmet his eyes, in which
all the love Of his heart shone. In:
voluntarily she put ont her hand.
He went to her then, and knelt
beside her. Forgive me, dear" he
: htspered.
1T is / who should be forgiven"
she sobbed.
Then you love me still, Floy?
You won't go away?"
"Never, dear husband" she smiled
through her tears. I'll thought you
didn't care any more-for me-"
1--WE never left off loving YOU
even for second" he answered.
After few moments he placed the
little shoe in her hand. and told her
how he had come by 1t.
do you think-she knows that
everything is right-between us?"
she asked. brokenly.
Yes, Floy, I'm sure she does
somehow feel she's very near" he
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