The herald., 1917-08-09
pleased. It went on that way.


mined TO go before his passion had got
the better of him, and he had let her
know. But how many men are
strong enough TO do this? No; one
In a thousand, so he stayed
One day. on one Of their long rides
they had dismOunted. and strayed OF
| from the road TO gather some flowers
! that Ethel wanted. When they came
back. and he started TO help her mount,
the horse. stung by an insect. gave n
| jump, md she nearly fell: he caught
her In his arms. He held her close and
kissed her over and over. When she
| could free herself. She drew away from
him, and burying her face IN her hands
| broke into SobS.
Forgive me, Ethel" he implored. II
couldn't help it. l love YOU, want
| You! | want YOU"
For a minute or two she did not
| speak. Then she stood up. and looked
| at him with the tears shining in her
eyes
There is nothing TO forgive" She
said miserably. II AIN as-Guilty as
you are. wanted you 70 always hold
me there"
Dear! dearest" he said, coming TO
her.
She waved him back. Let me go
home now" she said "Home-where
| must stay"
mo" he said. you must come
! with me! You must let me make you
home. You can't stay here. 1t will
Kill you. Oh, you must come, can't
live without YOU"
As they rode on slowly through the
sunset, he poured out 10 her the story
of his devotion, how he had tried be-
cause of loyalty TO Nat to go away.
But l couldn't" he cried. 81
couldn't, You held ME here! Held
me as you always will"
God forgive me-" she could only
say. "GOd forgive me-
why should your life and mine be
sacrificed?" he asked.
And she had no answer. His plead
inSs had conquered.
Two days after this II was arranged
that when they went for their usual
ride together they were 10 meet
train at junction about two miles out,
and go to the East Dicks baggage
| and few little things of hers were TO
be sent on by express. as he arranged.
The evening before this program was
to be carried out. Dick paid his usual
call at the Gibson home.
"Ethels out" said Nat. 81 don't
suppose she'll be gone long. The Per
kinS kid is III, and has been calling for
her. She's fond of the little chap, and
had to go. Scott, how lonesome. and
still and awful the place seems with
out her. I'm glad you came in. Isn't
it almost tragic for Il fellow TO be
such an idiot rs l ann"
"What do you mcan?" asked EStee.
81 mean about Ethel. Why. old man.
| think if she should 60 out Of my life
couldn't livc-I wouldn't want 10
live. Just thinS If l 60 pretty near
dOtty over sitting here alone. with her
gone half an hour, what would l do
if ii measured off into weeks and
months?" Estee looked away and did
not answer.
'NO, Dick, / don't somehow see how
could go on living. But I've been
trying to think, I ought 10 have
strength of mind enough to let her 70
East for little visit even If am aw-
full lonesome. so l sold my little mare
today, and I'm going TO give her the
money for her trip. / told her SC
today"
as she going?" asked Dick.
"Well, she seemed so taken by sur
prise, she didn't say much, except TO
tell me l ought not to have sold the
mare. Then she went over to Per
kinSeS."
The two men sat and smoked in the
growing darkness. Estee was strange
ly silent for him. After a while he
asked Nat for q sheet of paper and an
envelope Nat got IT, and lighted the
kerosene lamp for him to write.
Estee finished IT, and sealed the en-
velope. Just then Ethel entered. As
he stood up TO go, he said to Nat: II
didn't tell you, because l hate good
bys. but I'm leaving tomorrow"
In the midst of GibsOn's surprise he
managed to slip the note into Ethers
hand, and bidding her good-by, was
gone She went into the bedroom and
hastily tore open the letter. Dear.
Dear Girl" 1t read, 81 can't do it. Mis-
cradle. unhappy. utterly meaningless
as my life seems without you. / can't
stab him in the back, dear old chum.
He loves you so, it will kill him If you
90 away. He has trusted me. He is
q much, much better man than I
the truest gentleman l ever knew.
Don't GO away from him. He deserves
you, dear. GoOd-by. Dick"
When half hour passed. and she
did not come out. Nat raped on the
door, and getting no answer went in.
She was lying face down upon the
bed. He raised her up, asking why she
had been crying.
Because" she answered, Il haven't
been half good enough 10 YOU"
With many protests he held her close
to him.
I'm not going on any trip. dearie,
till you can go with me-" she said.