The Detroit times., 1916-07-18

first; but II offered fine opportuni-
ties for promotion, And Tom Mer-
Ger made up his mind 10 avail him.
self. 10 the full, OF every one Of
those opportunities.
To please Tom Mr.. Gordon at the
same time secured for Miriam a po-
sition in Hartford school, so that
the brother and sister might still
live together. Miriam welcomed the
change, less because II brought her
more money than because IL took
Tom away from Janet Gordon. whom
she hated more and more bitterly as
tho years went on.
Janet and Tom tried to be very
brave indeed over the tragedy II
their separation. To deaden the
anguish OF absence they used
to build air castles around the
swift promotion Tom was Ger
tain 10 receive and around the glor
iously happy life that would be
theirs when, in a year or SO at most
Tom should come back 10 Samoset
to claim her as bis wife.
Then with a mist OF tears in their
eyes they kissed and said good-by.
And Tom set off TO his new labors.
Almost every day for the next six
months or so he wrote 10 Janet, tell.
ing OF his work and his prospect of
advancement. And she Loyalty ans.
wered his every letter, telling him,
over and over again. OF her death
less love and loyalty.
Then for a whole month not one
letter reached Tom from the girl he
loved. although he learned, through
friends IN SAM set, that she was
not i'll.
He wrote again and again. begging
her TO tell him the reason for her
silence. Indeed, he was on the point
OF dropping his work and hurrying
back 10 her when. one morning, the
longedfor letter arrived.
Tom tore IL open and, with face
aiight, began to read II. But, as he
read, the joyous mile faded from his
lips and eyes, TO be replaced by
blank horror. Janet had written:
Dearest have waited as long
as | dared before telling you what
must tell you today. | haven't had
the courage 10 write. Because I
knew what had 10 say would be a
knifothrust to your heart And
would forfeit my own, life, IL |
might, 10 save you from, pain, my
darling But | cannot.
Let me tell IL as briefly and as
mercifully a. | can.
You remember how Mr.. Marc
Lander came to fathers rescue last
year by lending him money enough
TO meet the interest on his debts and
by starting him afresh In life. Well.
a month ago. the notes father gave
Mr.. Lander fell due. Father asked
for renewal. Mr.. Lander refused.
Father faced bankruptcy and loss
OF financial honor IL the notes
weren't paid. You know how old
and feeble he has grown this past
year or two. Such a disgrace would
kill him.
He beaought Mr. Lander again TO
grant him more time. Mr.. Lander
consented not only TO give him time.
but to destroy the notes themselves
ON one condition.
1T was a terrible condition, Tom.
A condition ! can hardly bring my
self TO tell you. But must. He
said to father:
"T'll tear up all these notes.-the
day / marry JANET
1T seems he had fallen In love
with mel don't xnow why. And he
admitted that he had helped father
in the hope OF winning me. II is
horrible! He had woven a net
around father. from, which there was
no escape. unless consented TO
marry him.
What else could | do7 owe ev.
erything TO father. II was the one
chance TO pay back part OF my debt
Father didn't coerce me at all. But
could see how happy II would make
him