El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-09-28
= One WOman's Story =
By virginia Terhune Van de water
CHAPTER XIII.

AIRY ELETCHER had been Z
MI widow for a year before she
w heard again from Gordon Craig
Meanwhile she had secured a position
in an uptown office in which her con-
scientious work and keen interest in
her duties were soon recognized. It
was rot until after her husbands death
that she knew that, years before, Bert
mad had his life insured in his mothers
favor for $1,000. He wished to let this
lapse after his marriage, but his moth
er kept up the payments on il, saying
nothing about II to her daughterinlaw.
This sum enabled the two women to
move from the tenement in which they
were living and take as small a flat
and one almost as cheap in a neigh
borhOod where there was less sQuslor
ana more pure air. Here the little boy
flourished under his grandmother's ju-
diciOus care.
Then. at the end of this first year of
her widOwhOOd, she met Gordon Craig
again upon the street He glanced in
quiringly at the black dress which
Mary had dOnned-nOt because of grief
for her husband. but because she felt
that black was a safe and proper garb
for woman situated as she was. She
told herself that in her heart she was
mourning for the happiness she had
lost and for the wrong she had done
in marrying where she did not love.
craig asked for her address, but she
gave il only when he begged that he
might bring his little girl to see her
My mother has her here on a visit
to me-, he explained, "and l want you
TO know my small daughter"
The second time that Craig called
with his child Mrs. Fletcher senior and
the boy were out. for il was a lovely
Sunday afternoon. Mary was tired and
preferred, she said, to stay at home.
She did not mention that Craig had
sent line to her at her office saying
that he would call this afternoon AS
Mary lifted his woman-chiId to her lap.
she felt throb of mother-love for the
little girl that made her gather her
closely in her arms and kiss her. The
child smiled and chung to her Craig
watching the pair. spoke quickly:
Mary he pleaded See how my
little girl loves you! And dear, love
you, too"
But she checked him by a gesture
please don't, Gordon!" she begged.
forever"
He was not to be so easily silenced.
Dear" he said, won't you believe that
after all we have both gone through,
1t IS possible for the great love 1 once
had for you to return? Why, Mary, the
first time 1 saw you here in New York,
looking so pale and sad, I knew that
l loved you-in fact, that I had always
loved you"
She lifted her grave eyes to his. But
what about me-? she asked. Il may
not love you now"
Yet the man begged He told her he
was lonely, that he needed her. He
was satisfied with the feeling of friend
snip which he knew she had for him
was there anyone else she loved
NO, there was nobody else, she re-
admission
Il could make you love me-" he said.
Again she checked him. Gordon"
she said, I married once without true
love, and were 1 to sin in this way a
second time l feel there would be no
forgiveness for me. I know that life
with you would mean peace. home, free
dom from care. But as I am not sure
more"
An, An the mans protests failed to
10 go he spoke very gently.
Mary, he said, see here, dear, 1
nave carried in my pocket all these
years year the little coin I gave you once
DO you remember it2"
As the woman looked down at the
silver piece bearing her initials and
ms the tears rushed to her eyes, but
she did not speak
Please, dear" he said take this
and If my prayers should ever be an
Swered and you should find that you
love me-please send this back to me
and an o., / will understand VIII you do
Yes" she whispered.
Six months later Bet Fletcher's
mother passed out of the life that he
had made so hard for her. Mary knew
mat her mOtherinlaw was glad to go.
but she missed sadly the blunt and sin
cere woman who had been so good to
her and her boy
The lonely young mother engaged a !
good maid to stay with her little son
during the first few months after his
grandmOther's death. Mary did not (
look forward beyond the present. She !
seemed TO be waiting for sometime I
that was coming into her life. She I!
did not let herself think what it might /.
be, but ever since her last talk with +
Gordon Craig she had known that the /
love she had thought dead had been I
only sleeDing. Still she sent him no
sign Of the knowledge that had come /
to her.
Then, on one beautiful April morn F.
ing, she got a letter in the f2mili"r !,
handwriting The messenger who I
brought it was told to wait for an an I
swer. With the letter was box of /
pansies
do YOU know. dear" Gordon worte /
that this is the anniversary of tho I
day on which we first met. years ago. I
1t is spring again, dear heart And J