Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-11-03
|MAuoR|E's NIGHT Letter
BY CATHERINE cRANMER.

Marjorie arrived in the Middle-West-
ern city on "A hot August afternoon.
| She had thought that New York could
get hot until she walked across the
streets of this overgrown young city
and felt the blstering heat of the tar
that ooZed from the wooden blocks
used as street paving. She regretted
having decided 10 stop even few
hours there on her way TO the Rocky
mountains.
Roger Davis, her first sweetheart,
had gone TO this city five years before
to practice law. and Marjorie had Civ.
en- him her promise not To become en-
gagged to another until Rogers first
years work either proved or disprOved
his professional mettle. The promise
had been easy. but gay social sea-
son and trip to Paris and European
watering places the next summer
dimmed the memory of Roger. and her
letters gave him so much evidence of
her growing Indifference that he re-
Trained from pressing his suit; lest the
indifference change to dislike.
As her train sped across the harvest
fields of the Middle West. and drew
near to the city where Roger lived,
Marjorie began to feel Il desire to see
this place. AS she crossed the street
in the shopping district. however. the
hot tar almost melted her sentiment
and the city. She went, into de-
partment store to avoid the heat out.
side. AS she entered an elevator to go
TO the tea room on the top floor. two
young girls in smartly- tailored linen
suits preceded her.
She must possess some hidden
charm beside that lovely country place
tucked away among the elms." said
one girl, with smile.
Hidden? No. at all. At least not
hidden from Roger Davis. who has
been the family lawyer for two years
with every chance To know the finan-
cial charms of the only daughter. It's
no wonder If they we'd" The speaker
was obviously proud of her blase
speech and manner.
Leaving the department store, she
crossed the street and entered q bank
to have travellers check cashed. As
she left the window after receiving her
money, she became conscious that a
man was standing near her, WITH his
nat I'm his hand.
'Marjorie!" exclaimed the man, and
quere, trembly sensation took pos.
session of her as she looked into the
honest gray eyes of Roger Davis and
felt the pressure Of his strong hand.
Roger" she said, weakly, like an
echo of his own greeting.
I'm wondering what luck has
brought you here" said Roger, as they
moved toward the door.
1T wasn't luck, it was-well, really,
l hardly know" said Marjorie. II
merely stopped for glimpse of this
city. But tell me how you manage ia
live in this terrific heat?'
And this from New Yorker?" Rog-
er shook his head rnefully. "But come
with pe and I'll show you the city's
beauty spots and the loveliness of its
envirOns. How long will you be here?"
Until eight o'clock this evening"
We'll have just time to end our
sightseeing trip with dinner at the
Country club. Conner said Roger en-
Enthusiastically.
Marjorie forgot the heat of the city
and she forgot the disagreeable words
she had heard in the department store
elevator until reminded of them BY
Roger.
THAT house on the hillside over
there Is the Elms, the home of Miss
Andrews, client of mine" he said,
and Immediately Marjorie knew that
the lovely. rambling house almost hid
den by great elms belonged to the
plain but wealthy girl referred to In
that conversation In the elevator
Marjorie abruptly changed the sub
1ect These hours with Roger had
made her yearn for return of their
former close friendship, and perhaps
for even more than that.
They had to take chances with
motor cop to make MarjOrie's train.
AS they hurried through the station
Roger secured the evening newspapers
from an alert newsboy. He gave the
papers to Marjorie when he had seen
her seated in her section of the sleep
er. A headline on the outside page
caught MarjOrie's eye.
is that the Miss Andrews whose
home we passed." She pointed to the
of the heiress' engage
ment to an Eastern man, and waited
eagerly for Rogers reply.
"The very one" said Roger. scan.
hing the item. land the man she is to
marry Is brick
"Then 1t wasn't true what thew
,aid?"
what wasn't true, dear?" Roger
taught the eagerness of her voice.
That you are going to marry her
or her money" with quick emphasis.
You ought to know that I'm going
o marry no girl for money. and only
me for love-" said Roger, and the mis-
rable train began to creak and SWAY.
"Oh. then 1t was luck, after all. that
rought me here!" said Marjorie.
'reathlessly. But hurry. dear. or
ou'll be hurt getting of :"
I'll not hurry until you tell me
Thether II was luck or love that
rought you here" Roger smiled de-
antly into her eyes.
1T was fove, dear; but please hur.
y"