Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-06-29

your best attention. with the worry Of
his railing health on your mind? You
know" - whimsically you're too
great necessity here for me to allow
anything to distract your from your
work"
Her face, flushed with fever as it
was, beamed softly as he mentioned
her father, and connected that word
with too great a care" Her father
too great care. A short vision of a
kindly old man, his serene face gem
tie as woman's, his bowed head set
in wreathe of silver locks, turning
his quick, expectant glances up and
down the street awaiting her coming.
fis" ed before her pain-heavy eyes.
= lther a carer" she answered half
int C.rogatively. You don't know
father, Mr.. Norris. He is the one Joy
of my life. For years before 1 was
old enough or able to work, he was
father and mother to me. Up with
the sun each morning, he saw to it
that my clothes were brushed my
pencils sharpened for school-made a
warm fire and prepared my breakfast.
Then, off to that frightful bleach fac
tory where he got his cough, and at
work all day, and sometimes part of
the night, that 1 might have a pretty
hair-ribbon, or a pair of new slippers.
All my youthful hopes. desires, trou-
bles were poured into his willing ears
at night, and he was ever sympathetic
with the eXtravagant fancies of my
fiighty, childish Imagination. and al
ways gentle in his reproaches for my
many faults. When 1 look back upon
his patience and unselfshness, his un-
complaining slavery that I might hold
up my head with my more fortunate
companions, it seems impossible that
I shall ever fully realize and appreci-
ate all that he has done for me.
often think, that but for me he might
still enjoy an active old age,-hes
only sixty.-and the thought OF that
and all the rest makes everything I
can possibly do for him seem paltry
and insignificant by comparison. No,
fathers no care to me. 1t gives me
pleasure each morning that I have
strength to go out to work,-that am
responsible for his comfort,-and 1t
lightens my WEAKNESS each night that
I may go home and try to anticipate
his every unspoken wish"
fYou love me, Ray?"
Mrs. Norris asked the question of
her husband. He had come home,
his step light, his face expectant. He
me4 a cold and unresponsive wife.
The seed of suspicion planted by Mrs.
Fall had taken root on fertile soil.
And so she asked the question.
Love you?-why what a question!
passionately adore you. You are the
guiding spirit, the holiest inspiration
Of my life! Without you all the rest
is a meaningless tumble. But,-and
here his voice took on a tone of be-
wilderment-"I didn't think you need
ed assurances!"
It was now tenfold difficult for her
to go on; but she felt that this was ne
time to falter, and the ultimate as
surance of his devotion would be made
evident, the horrible Doubt that as
sailed her be banished forever,-or en-
dorsed hideously-if only she had the
courage to go on and put his fidelity
to the test. She pulled herself to-
gether.
would you do anything, sacrifice
anything in the whole world for me?
Anything. Everything"
Then send that girl away from your
ofice-and get another one"
Send that girl away! You mean
Miss Foster?"
"Yes."
"But why?-this is absurd! why
send Myra Foster away?"
Because / wish it."
"But you must have some reason,
This can't be mere imperative arbi.
trariness. You are not like that. Can'S
you tell me why? Myra Foster is mS
most able assistant. To send her away
would be to disable me in my mosE
important work. Besides, it would be-
unjust. She Is a very worthy girl. She
Is the sole support of her aged father,
She's quick, intelligent, capable. in
short she's everything an Assistant
should be. and so rarely Is. Shea
necessary. Why. in Heavens name.
lend her away?"