The Lamar register., 1915-08-11

in the cluster OF houses that had
grown up around the depot and was
called a city.
Wire for you, Thorpel" he an
nounced briefly.
VIII took the message and opened It,
derstand II was from Marion. She
had learned his address, she said
probably everyone could discover the
address OF a millionaire-and she was
passing through on her way East from
the San Francisco exposition. She
would stay an hour while they changed
engines. Would he meet her?
Thanks" said Will to the telegraph
lst and watched him ride down the
hill.
Yes, he was going East. and going
back to Marion. For moment the
old life came rushing over him, with
its memories, its thousand allure
ments And the new life meant moth
ing.
He mounted his horse and rode
slowly down the valley, He had no
destination In mind. but suddenly he
realized that he was approaching the
homesteader's house. And at the door
stood Norma, in her sunbonnet.
She greeted him. Wont you come
In and take some tear" she asked.
II hear you are going East, Mr..
Thorpe"
d He dismounted. and now he saw
that her lips were trembling. How
had she known he was going East2
Did news fly as fast in this settlement
as in the great world2 And what did
1t matter to herr
Yes, l am going East. Norma" he
answered. taking her hands in his.
IL congratulate YOU" she an
swsred quietly. But he saw the tears
In her eyes.
you have meant so much to me"
he said impulsiyely. Il hate the
thought OF going. And yeti is my
duty, / suppose"
Then you must CO." said the girl
softly. She was smiling very bravely
at him. Won't you come in?"
'No-I can't now" he said crudely.
Norma. l SHALL shall see you again
before l CO."
She nodded, and he knew the mean
ing OF her silence. The girl cared for
him. and in her unsophisticsted way
was incapable OF concealment. He
saw her walk back quickly into the
cabin.
Marion's train was to arrive the fol-
lowing morning. VIII rode down to
the depot with a heavy heart. The
and he did not know which pulled him
the harder. There were so many
memories here-yet the thought of
Marion came to him like a food of
sunlight. How he had loved Marioni
She had tacitly released him by her
silence. and yet doubtless she would
explain that. He would follow her
soon. He saw the old life wildly,
their marriage. the quiet home in Bos.
ton.
The train was pulling in. He had
stood on the platform In a sort of
daIs. Now he awakened suddenly.
and he felt his heart beating hard in
anticipation. The men about the plat.
form were watching him curiously. He
looked into the carriages OF the train
as II came to = halt. He walked its
length. Marion was not there. Had
she missed her train7
Still dreaming. WIFI" asked a hard
voice over his shoulder.
He started round, to see Marion,
with = party OF girl friends. dressed In
the height OF fashion. looking at him
with q smile.
Dear me. I must be very hard to
md" she said. well! When are
you coming homer"
The hardness OF her tones struck
him like . blow. Surely he had
changed out OF all recognition II he
had ever thought Marion's voice beau
tiful. The girl whom he had loved
to the point OF infatuation stood re-
vealed to him as an artificial. hard
young woman. without the slightest
charm.
Il think II was very wrong OF you
not TO write to me for so long" she
continued. But / forgive you, VIII.
We can forgive q man with millions
anything. can't we. Dora?"
The girl addressed as Dora muir
INJURED something. The whole party
was taken aback. not to say shocked.
at the sight OF this man in the cowboy
ClOthea And ha WAS a millionairei