Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-19


those thorough fares which have
gradually come 10 state E
shabby geuaUy after a period of az
huence.
The houses were tan and bleak and
fronted with grim stucco, alb in that
manner which our forefathers found
so desirable. once they had been eN-
pensive houses. tenanted by people u
wealth and social standing but mo-"
The Gables halfway down the rUaf
struck the only firm note If resist
auce 10 the general air 81 decaying
prosperity. Curtains always hung
primly In its easements, the frills II
the muslin window blinds always
seemed newly starched. and the steps
Of the front door We're always q 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 Eeteriorating go rapid
~. Some holder spirits even asked
her why she stayed on at The Gables
instead Of letting IL, and departing to
reside in "a street more BETTING her
quality. To these Miss Weston dn-
swered gently that she had lived ID
The Gables most of her life. and had
10 desire to change now.
Miss Weston always answered
every body gently. for gentleness 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 II was NOT the exact term
by which to describe her. There was
none Of that sharpness about her
which the epithet Of 'old maid" habit
uslly implies
Long ago when she was ittle
orphan girl Of !, her uncle had adopt
ed her and brought her 20 live IN
Penthorn Road But now both her
uncle and his wife were dead. and
Miss Weston was left alone in the old
home. save for the servants.
Rather a pitiful romance was Miss
Weston's II was simply the old story
Of the man who had not dared enough.
the man who had leaped 10 false con
illusions and had gone out Of her life,
to leave her alone.
Sometimes. when she tenderly took
a packet Of letters out OF her bureau,
there was one particular missive
which she had not the heart TO re-
read, for It was too sacred with poigu.
ant memories,
Her Dream.
But always she remembered the
night when IL was handed 90 her. She
had only 10 close her eyes again TO
visualize the scene completely.
She saw herself, quite young sit
ting before the fire on an autumn
evening She was trying TO under
q g. Ia.
In. Harry DuttOn, gone off 10 the Col
onies without a word Of farewell 90
her? He had made quite "a sudden
departure. though he had told her that
he was going And Yet he had never
said good bye to her.
And while she was seeking TO un-
derstaud his attitude the small son %
q neiRhbor 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 MT button gave
IL 20 me To- give to you, lie wanted
To make sure you'd get II the same
evening I've just remembered it,
when did he give IL TO 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"
She opened the letter and read It's
contents
Dearest Margaret" Il ran-"As
you know, | sail for South America
the day after tomorrow. Before ] 20
want 10 ask YOU something. but ]
fear il win be too much 20 ask YOU
You must have guessed that / love
YOU. I know il Is presumption on my
part 60 aspire 10 your hand, for you