The herald., 1916-11-30
TARDY But TRUE
BY ELSIE SEE.

It was well known in Plainville that
Madgo Ingram. who five years ago had
refused TO wed Jim Butler, the mer-
chant prince of the town, was now get
ting a good salary as private secretary
to a city lawyer. 1t was equally well
known that the merchants young wife
of year kept a servant and an auto
mobile and had charge accounts at
the city department stores. Every time
Madge came home for a vacation,
Plainville weighed the respective mer-
its of her independence and the mer-
chants wife's affluence, but the
shrewdest of the goSSips did not suS-
pect that q memory antedating her
affair with Jim Butler meant more to
Madge than anything that had come
into her life.
One summer morning Madge alight-
ed from the six O'Clock train for her
vacation without having told of her
coming, as she preferred to surprise
her parents by appearing unannOunced
for breakfast.
whats doing today, mother? Is
there a picnic?' asked Madge, after
breakfast.
"Now, how did you guess that?"
81 saw Tom Jordan hauling some
giant ice cream freezers and lot Of
fruit up to the MaplewOod pasture
and, oh saw Observation-Disclosures
man in gray tweed over near the hotel.
He looked like man of affairs above
and beyond Plainville picnics."
THAT must have been Tom Whit
low. He's here for a visit, and he
dresses like that and Is staying at
the hotel"
"TOm Whitlow, who used to"
Madge hesitated, and her mother con-
| tinued:
used to drive Buffers delivery
wagon. But they say he's made some
thing Of himself. He Is manager OF
some mines out West somewhere"
That afternoon Madge went with
her parents to the picnic, and, al
though she felt certain pleasure in
| greeting her old friends, she soon be
gan to feel keenly that she was nc
longer in sympathy with their lives oil
they with hers.
As she walked around thick cluml
of hazelnut bushes and sumacs tai
man In blue serge, who had been sit
ting on the grass with his broad shoul
ders against tree, rose and removed
his hat in respectful, but embarrassed
greeting.
81 hope I haven't startled you" h,
said. "and may 1 hope, also, that yor
would care to remember Tom Whit
low?"
"Not ut ALL" blurted Madge. Then
In embarrassment, she fastened t
add: "That is, you didn't startle me
and I'm glad to meet you again. Blu
are you sure you know who l ann"
"You? Why. you're Madge Ingram
Pardon me-Miss Ingram"
"No-let's be Madge and Tom be
fore we begin to be formal" said she
extending her hand. "YOu used {,
help me with my lessons, but yOl
wouldn't talk to ME. Won't you max,
up for lost time now by telling me o
the interesting things you've been do
ing?"
"May I not tell you what I wante,
to tell you years ago, but hadn't tn
courage?" His gray eyes were cage
and his strong hand still held hers
"May I not tell you that 1t was vol
who first aroused in me desire to d.
things? Some of the girls at schoo
made mouths because they had t
stand beside me in class, but you ncv
er did. Those girls, later, looked owe
my head when they saw me driving |
delivery wagon, but you spoke to m
even then. And may tell you that
went away determined to achiev
something that would make me worth
of even more than your friendly greet
ings? / worked away for q year, an
then I heard you were going to MARI
Jim Butler"
He turned away and dropped he
hand.
II never opened another issue o
the little old Plainville paper for fea
I'd find the account Of your wedding
I worked my way through the stat
university and into mining engineer
ing. For years my work has absorbe
me, and I've known nothing Of wha
went on at Plainville, but last wee
in q railroad restaurant out West
happened to hear news Of you.
overheard one woman tourist speakin
to another as they sat at dinner.
begged Madge Ingram to make thi
trip with me- she said, but sh
thought she must go to Plainville. an
told her she'd as well have marrie
that merchant after all, but she say
there's a lot OF difference between &
ing for a vacation and a lifetime"
"That must have been Elsie Wal
rem" exclaimed Madge, sand what
coincidence that you should hav
heard her say that just as you wer
starting to Plainville!"
"But wasn't stardng until / hear
thati It was knowing you were fire
that brought me here! 1t is becaus
I've loved you ever since we were chi
dren that I've tried to make mysel
worthy Of you. It's because love 70
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