The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-05-30

tragedy. But Hamlin FASTENED down
he stairs. needless OF the impression
ae gave. What an irony. that he should
nave been the means OF saving her
:hild-Miriam's child!
Yet the next morning he found q
letter upon his table which set the
blood hurrying through his veins.
Too well he knew that writing. He
opened 1t slowly. fighting down the
impulse to fling 1t into the fire un.
read.
Dear DR.. Hamlin." 1t began. 81
want to see you. to thank you for saw
ing Ronald's life. Will you forget and
forgive everything that has passed?
/ cannot rest until l have your for
giveness. Now all my views have
changed. MIRIAM"
The house of the Keiths was oppo-
site the park-four miles away from
the dingy, old-fashioned quarter in
which st. Marks was set Hamlin
had not been near the place for
years. Yet that afternoon. being free,
he did tramp into the park, and, so
tramping through the cool groves that
eased the oppression of that fiery July
day, he found his footsteps inevitably
trending toward the place which had
been forbidden him.
And at last, toward the cool of the
afternoon, he found himself seated
upon a bench facing the Keith man
sion, dreaming vain dreams. He re-
/
Ram and he had sat together when
sion. dreaming vain dreams.
He had been dreaming for half an
hour when he was suddenly recalled
to himself A quiet. elderly man was
standing in front OF him. The face
seemed familiar. The man stretched
out his hand.
Are you not DR.. Hamlin, sir?" he
asked. Yes, l was sure knew your
face. My name is Abel Keith. Surely
you remember me?"
Indeed l do, Mr.. Keith" said Ham,
lin, springing to his feet courteously.
So this was Miriam's husband. He
could we'll imagine how the disparity
in tastes and years must have weigh
ed on her.
Miriam sent you a letter yester-
day." said Mr.. Keith, taking a place
beside him. 1--WE hoped that you
would call. My wife and her sister
will be passing this way in few
moments on their return from the
hospital; they always walk through
the park. Now, you must stay and
meet them-indeed you must, doctor.
I cannot, of myself, thank you suf-
ficiently for having given us back our
child. 1t is our only one," he added
wistfully.
Il can't" Hamlin stammered. 81
have an engagement. I"
Now, my dear fellow" answered
the other smiling, pray don't be SO
foolish. know all about that misun-
derstanding of yours with Miriam, and
don't say regret it now, for it gave
be unforgiving Stay a while, doctor!"
Hamln looked at him in disgust.
The old dotard! Did he, then, know
nothing, immersed as he was in his
bookshelf he know nothing Of the in
tensity Of his love for Miriam, that
he should seek thus to revive it7
Mr.. Keith was prattling beside him,
telling Of hundred little things that
narrowed Hamln's heart. He would
find that Miriam had not changed in
the least, he said
IT won't deny" continued the
scholar, chat when Miriam told me
she had changed her views and re-
pented having broken the engagement
between you'll won't deny that I did
have hopes that things might be ad-
justed."
Now Hamlin was sure that he was
dreaming The old man babbled on.
I'm going to tell you about my lit
tie romance. my boy-for you are
boy in years, compared with me. and
feel that I have you to thank for
having given me the most charming
wife in the world. You know I was
engaged to Miriam, but l always felt
she didn't love me. And offered her
her freedom three times, but she re-
fused to accept it. And so things
went on until the very day before our
marriage. And then II WEIGHED"
you what, sir?" exclaimed thu
other.
WEIGHED! Made myself scarce.
Rejected her Yes, my boy, was
absent in Europe year, and when I
came back Miriam saw things the
same way that did. And you know 1t
always had been Evelyn whom 4 really
loved. She is older and our tastes are
more alike. SO that is how I came to
marry Evelyn"
"You married-Evelyn?" said Ham
lin, choking.
Indeed I did, and very happily, too"
answered the old scholar. Don't
you think Ronald looks like her q lit.
tie? Why, what ails you, my hoy?
The heat must be too much for you.
Dear me-lets come into the house
Why, here are the ladies'! Evelyn,
dear, you remember Hamlin. Miriam!
Eth? Why, you seem to remember
each other very WE'LL"
copyright. 1919. by w. G. ChapInan)
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