The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-12-30
WHEN SPRING CAME
The Old Story-Jumpiny at Con-
cluslOns.
BY JEANNE O. LolzEAUx.

burst, after long, rigid cold, win
ter of discomfort, the dreariest in
William Failing's young life.
From the past October when he
had ceased to be, so far as Betty was
concerned, he had simply set his
teeth and endured things, grinding
out routine work in the Office as
though fends pursued. For the rest,
he ate and slept-when he could. He
knew work was his only salvation,
though he had now nothing to make
money for.
Betty was not going to marry him.
Washburn had won. Not that she
ever promised to marry Failing. In
fact, he had not asked her. But he
had been so happily confident the
whole beautiful summer and autumn
that she cared just as he did.
They had been inseparable to such
an extent that Jerry Washburn had
apparently given up his long pursuit
Of the girl and had gone 'back East"
Washburn had money and ability,
too.
Now Failing cursed himself for
not having made sure of the girl in
words. He had not spoken because
he was working so desperately to be
made junior partner in his business,
so that he might have something def
mite to offer her.
Remembering this, his rugged
blond face grew set and hard. She
had not been willing to wait for
him She had dropped him without
warning, cruelty, without word be-
fore or after.
The shock had come in October.
One evening he had taken Betty out
on the lake, and they spent hours Of
delight in the flooding moonlight.
The next morning the senior partner
had called him into the "throne
room," and after much pompous
prelude made him junior partner
with fourth interest in the busi-
ness and an increase of salary that
made his heart leap Betty-wards.
Excited, exultant, he had tried to
thank the senior partner, but the
wise old chap had waved him away.
"You'll be no good for some time
get out of here and take a vaca-
ton Off with youl"
Failing had snatched his hat.
Then he ran out to the street and
walked toward Betty's home. He
had to feel the ground under his feet
he could not have endured street
car!
When he reached the big old place
and had rung the bell the little maid
admitted him. Miss Betty was out
for a walk. Would he see anyone
else? She would be back in on hour
or so.
He would walk about; perhaps he
would meet her. His head and his
heart were high.
And never through a long life
would he forget the heart-sickness
Of the rest. Down the street he had
swung all radiant with JOY, and turn
ing corner had almost run over
little Evie Cross, Betty's house guest,
for whom he had never cared much.
Her big eyes were almost fever
ishly bright, but her cheeks were
pale and she was manifestly excited,
To pass time he turned and walked
with her a little.
"You're a laggard in lovep she
flung at him. "Lochinvar has come
out Of the East and captured your
fair lady. He came last night and
invited himself to breakfast this
morning. He dragged her off before
he really decently could. | went of
by myself, but / saw them cooling in
the woods just now. What made
you let him take her from under
your very eyes?"
Then she chartered on about any
thing, everything. Failing left her
as soon as he could He never liked
her wordiness.
So Washburn was backl Well, he
was sorry for the fellowl Failing
gave Evie's chaff no credence. AL
most unconsciously he made his way
| shror~h thp wood IN tho crookad nofh