Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1915-06-10

things | never thought of. I don't
blame you for being dissatisfied. |
was so tired of quarrels and worried
with debts that l wasn't really sorry
when l found you'd gone. We may
as well be honest about that. ! just
went into my work a little harder and
Hleft the country before long.
Il sent you money through Desbor.
ough as long as l could. After he died
l couldn't seem to reach you"
"Oh, ! got along" she said. Il al
ways do. I'm the kind people look out
for. / got paid pretty we'll In the
chorus because I'm pretty, and they
put m in the 'front.' row. But ! couldn't
learn to dance, so | couldn't get in
the next show. Then / went in Opper-
sham's and sold lace for a while till
they put me in the millinery to shcw
of hats. Then | had a friend who had
a boarding house and she wanted me
to come with her, so | did and stayed
until she died. We did pretty good,
but since then I've only kept dodgers
because | wasn't going to bother to
try to suit people with meals"
Ellsworth stood looking at the rock
ing chair. 1t seemed to underst- ID
him better than she did. After a min
ute he came back to her.
There is one thing, Rose, I've got
to KNOW" he said. Sara said-the
child-was that true? Was there a
child, Rose?"
Roses eyes went wide with a look
that flashed deep into his soul. She
clenched her little hands and opened
them befores he spoke.
That was soon over. 1t was born
dead" she said.
"When?"
1T was eight months after l left. l
didn't know till Id gone. Then it was
too late. | went to a hospital. 1t was
born dead. 1t was a girl. didn't
think had to tell you"
How you must have hated me-" he
said.
Rose moved uneasily. "Oh. I don't
hate you now" she assured him. I'm
ike that. l get over things"
Ellsworth paced the floor and came
back to her again.
will you try it again. Rose?" he
said gently. Il was very wrong. !
wish you'd try it again"
Rose edged away from him, shrink
ing. "Oh, MOI" she said. "Oh-no-
no! It's too late. You're all right
I'm not mad at you. Only"
The door bell rang briskly three
times. A sudden change crept into
Roses manner, a shade of anxiety
came into her blue eyes.
you better 60" she urged. You're
all right. I'm not your kind. 1t was
a mistake always. You'd be sorry. l
wish you would 60"
She pushed him gently out of the
1t was impossible to mistake
her sincerity in wishing him to leave.
At the door he passed a portly. red
faced mar of prosperous appearance
who vouchsafed him a CT il nod and
entered as one who knew the place.
Ellsworth hardly saw him, but
stood for a minute looking back at the
house before he went on down the
shabby street. He had no regret for
what he left, but his breath came I'M
evenly because he thought he felt a
little hand laid on his heart.
The prosperous gentleman gave
Rose a cordial greeting. Got a new
lodger?" he inquired.
mo-" said Rose. He's not going to
stay. I'm awful sorry I'm not ready
i hadn't finished dressing"
That's all right" he said indulgent.
ly. you run along and get ready. I'll
wait. And, say-don't take any more
dodgers, anyway. We better get mar.
ried right away. There amt no use
waiting as can see. l don't want you
working so hard"
Rose looked at him with real affec.
ton. You're awful good" she said.