Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1915-09-17
4 Sly MAH'S K'0OIKG
BY GEORGE mUNson.

NOBODY EaG DelteNeQ IN WllllaN0
Merritt He had been q dreamy. i'm
aginative boy and had lost half
dozen positions IN his native village.
An orphan brought up b. distant
relative vho used him taeIy, be had
shaken tie dust oH his feet and gone
70 the metropolis to earn q livelihood
Ten years later, q man 81 thirty,
two. he was national character His
bridge across tie Potomac WAS cousid-
cred a triumph OF American engineer
ing The tunnel which be had driven
across the KIN van Kali had been
made the model for all such undertake
incs IN america and Europe
With all lis success and wealth he
was SUI esperately lonely His sue
cess had been the result Of native
genius and application. To his per
sonality the shy man owed nothing.
And there had come to him a long
ing 70 show himself before those who
had jeered him and win their esteem.
lie did not long for any personal
triumph over them.
He thought OF Nettie Haines, the lit
tie girl who had lived across the
street from him. They had been child
hood sweethearts. and he had told her
that one day he would marry her.
Doubtless she was married now and
had long ago forgotten him Ha
thought ef Saunders, who had dis
missed him from the grocery store;
Boyce. the undertaken. for whom he
had worked during one long week. And
he went back.
He registered at the only hotel the
village boosted and made himself
known to Flaxman. the proprietor The
man shook hands with him coldly
enough.
Glad to see you back again, Mr.
Merritt. . he said. Mr. Boyee2 0 yes,
he's Furnishing Saunders does the
same old business
Merritt had been too shy TO ask for
Nettie He made his way up the street
to Bogces place The man did not
recognize him at first.
well I'm glad to see you" he said,
when his visitor had explained his
purpose in calling.
Saunders greeting was still more
frosty. He recolleeted Merritt and
was glad he was doing SO well. As
Merritt turned to leave, with a sense
of establishment in his heart, he saw
a young woman bending Industrious
ly over a heap of bills in Saunders
shop. II was Nettie, his old sweet
heart
Impulsively he strobe up to her
why. Nettie-Miss Hainesi" he ex-
claimed.
She recognized him and her face
grew red. How do YOU do, Mr.. Mer-
rift. !" she said demurely.
Shy as he was, Merritt managed to
get into conversation with her. I'm
der the watchful glances Of Saunders
he succeeded in stammering out a re-
guest to visit her that evening.
1T used to be VIII, he said when
she greeted that night as Mr.. Merritt.
wen, VIII, then she returned,
laughing 4 do hope you have had
good luck
lie looked at her in amazemeut.
Had she not heard of him2 He was
not vain man, but it seemed lncredi-
Bile, when all the newspapers and
magazines had been full of his sue
cess,
Yes, I have done pretty we'll" he
answered slowly.
Il am so glad to hear It," answered
the girl. You have no idea how hor-
rid people are but / suppose l
shouldn't be saying it."
He pressed her to tell him. You
remember how we used to tell each.
other everything" he pleaded.
Nettie colored slightly. We'll" she
continued. Mr.. Boyce said he sup
posed you had come back to try to get
job in town, and were dressed up to
make a bluff And he said YOU d never
get anything in his place. and MIR
Saunders agreed that ii was the same
as far as he was concerned. l felt so
Inundated. and | am so glad to learn
that it isn't SO at all
Merritt was thunderstruek So these
people had never heard of him at all.
He had aseribed their GOODNESS to the
natural reserve of little community.
instead of which he was, in their eyes.
the same ne'er-do-weH. the same in
capable Aud Nettie did not know.
"Nettie,a he said. taking her hand.
do you remember that time We found
dime in the road and split it in two
and We divided it?'
Perfectly. Mr. Merritt" she replied.
smiling.
And do you remember what l said
to you them"
no, William. That part has escaped
my memory altogether"
Would you like me to remind you ?"
The girls eyes, which had been
downcast, were suddenly raised to his.
Il told you that that made US sweet
hearts. and that some day l should
marry you. said the man.
He saw that she was trembling, and
in that moment he knew that he had
always loved her, and that il was
providence which had kent him aloof
and uncontaminated by the world, for
this end only And she nd not know
anything of him, Of his wealth.
win you marry me-. dear2" he
asked 4 can support wife in com
fort" be continued whfmsically
He drew her into his arms and
kissed her You see. / have always
had the habit eff meaning what say.
he continued
"Vm dear 7 have loved Won an my,