The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-12-30

he made call at the Office and bank,
bought ticket, and by night was on
his way to Colorado for months
vacation in the wilds, taking his mis-
cry with him. At least he wouldn't
have to hear her engagement dis
cussed and have people pity him.
Finally he had come grimly back
to work as though fiend-pursued. He
heard no word of her, and could not
to save his life have asked a ques-
ton about her. He inwardly ragged
because no one mentioned her in his
presence. Did they think him such
weakling that he couldn't bear it.
Twice since his return he had met
her on the street. She barely recog-
nized him, and he lifted his hat with
distant courtesy. At least she was
not yet married.
OF course the announcement Of
engagement and the wedding date
had been in the papers while he was
away. He had hoped that seeing
her would somehow lessen her vital
dearness to him, but it only made
things worse.
He had worked and worried HIM
self-and half the office force-thin
until the old man bade him remem-
Der that employees were men, not ma
chimes. Then he became consider
ate of them-not of himself.
1t was day in February that he
had again seen Betty. This time it
was in a book shop. Her eyes were
bent over an open volume, and be-
fore she saw him he had time to
notice that her small, ungloved
hands had grown fragile.
There was no look Of bridal hap
piness about her. This time he was
going over to speak to her, but, look
ing up, she gave him such grave
little bow and Immediately Joined q
friend who was near her.
After that he knew something was
wrong, and braced himself a little.
This fictitious strength tided him
over some bad weeks. Then spring
came, at a leap, sudden warmth, a
melting, an unreasonable time when
old men croaked of danger to fruit
trees, and morning papers inter-
viewed doctors as to the effect of
such warm spells on the public
health.
One morning Failing deliberately
left the office and set off for a walk.
He walked miles. First he avoided
Betty's house, and then came back
and made himself pass it. The sun
was hot, and little leaves, like a
green mist, were beginning to
wreathe the trees. Birds twittered
and carried straws, and children
were bareheaded at play.
So it was that he came upon her,
as once before. But this time she
was alone, her arm up against a
great tree trunk, her face hidden
in the arm.
He came a little nearer. She was
manifestly crying. Betty crying
He could not help letting everything
but his old love for her melt away
like the winters snow.
He was behind her in an instant,
taking her by the shoulders, turning
her around to face him. She resist
ed at first but did not try to con-
ceal the tears in her eyes.
"1f-he makes you unhappy Pill
shake the life out of himl" he said.
cat best Washburn could never
love you as | always have,
'What do you mean, William
Failing" Her eyes were wide with
utter astonishment.
"Aren't you--engaged to him? |
saw him-kissing your hand-you
don't allow things of that sort for
nothing"
Her look stopped him. Light had
come to her. And the man saw her
love for him. She had to push him
away with both hands.
"You-saw that? I-he made me
reluse hlm again. L had just told
him there was somebody else. l
didn't let him take my hands--he
just did it. That was the instant
you chose to see If you had wait
ed! And then-n'wer to come near
me again, or send me wordp She
put her arms up over her face with
the gesture Of child.
s"0h," he said, sheltering her in
his arms. "lf you knew what | have
been throughp
She gave queer little laugh.
"As If ] didn't know she an