The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-07-18


first; but IL offered fine opportuni-
ties for promotion. And Tom Mer-
Ger made up his mind 10 avail MIN
self, { othe full. Of every che Of
those opportunities.
To please Tom Mr.. Gordon al the
same time secured for Miriam q DO
sition in Hartford school, so that
the brother and sister might still
live together. Miriam welcomed the
change, less because IL brought her
more money than because II took
Tom away from Janet Gordon. whom
she hated more and more bitterly as
the years went on.
Janet and Tom tried TO be very
brave indeed over the tragedy oi
the tragedy Of their separation. TIC
| deaden the anguish of abence they
used TO build air castles arount
the swift promotion Tom was Ger
tain TO receive. and around the glor
iously happy life that would b
theirs when, in a year or so at most
F, Tom should come back TO Samoset
TO claim her as his yIfe.
Then with mist of tears in their
eyes they kissed and said good-by
And Tom set off 10 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, throug
friends in Sanloset, 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
longedfsr letter arrived.
Tom tore 1t open and, with face
alight, began 10 read il. But, as h.
read. the Joyous mile faded from his
lips and eyes. TO be replaced by
blank horror. Janet had written:
Dearest have waited as long
a. | dared before telling you what I
must tell YOU today. haven't had
tho courage 10 write. Because
knew what / had 10 say would be a
knife.thrust 10 your heart. And
would forfeit NY own life, II
might. TO save you from pain, my
darling But cannot.
Let me tell II "a briefly and as
mercifully "a | can.
you remember how Mr.. Mare
Lander came TO fathers rescue last
year by lending him money enough
10 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 rene wal. Mr.. Lander refused.
Father faced bankruptcy and loss
of financial honor II 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 be7ought Mr.. Lander again "a
grant him more time. Mr.. Lander
consented not only to give him time
but 10 destroy the notes themselves
on one condition.
1T was a terrible condition, Tom
a condition can hardly bring M
self 10 tell you. But I must. lie
said 10 father:
III tear UP all these notes.-the
day | marry JANET
1t seems ne had fallen In love
with me--I don't ;Snow why. And he
admitted that he had helped fater
In the hope OF winning me. II Ia
horrible lie had woven ne
around father. from which there wa;
no escape, unlcss l consented tC
marry him.
What else could do7 owe ev
erything 20 father. II was tho on'
chance 10 pay back part OF my deb
Father didn't coerce me AZ all. But
could see how happy II would make
| hlx,.