The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-08-23

/ be will mud her an soon as his circum.
stances admit. II be has 20 search the
country through. and then-why what
Il the matter. yaleriaT'
With a hAls startled gasp she clutch
I I'd wildly for the magazine.
lis the authors name Robert Rob
ert Franklin she whispered.
Lets see Yes. that's right Why
oh. don't ask me 10 explain. she
begged yet you have doubted. and
/ / must tell some one. WIN you promise
will you promise never TO tell
soulf'
/ Her haltIng words. low with inten-
siiy. struck chill Of premonitlon to
his heart What SO vital TO her life
lay concealed within that magazine
story
VIII you promisei' she repeated in
that same tense whisper,
"Promisei Why, you know that
would promise You anything, Valera.
But for heavens sake don't prolong
the agony" added Jimmy, totally I'M
conscious that he was at the moment
as melodramatic as the malIgned writ
ers Of love stories could picture man.
1T all started at the time Of the
war" she began. II was only eighteen
then, young and romantic. Yes, ! sup
pose mistook romance for patriot
ISM" she pursued renectively, gazing
far across the valley TO Mount Wash
ington, blue yelled In all the grandeur
OF the distance, 'and suddenly ! re-
solved 10 enlist as nurse. Father
would not hear OF it-what did know
Of the hardships involved? But i was
silently determined, and had my way.
too, Some relatives In Florida gave
me the opportunity-l would visit them
as ruse. Am firing you by my pre-
liminary explanation
"Oh. don't mind me-" he deprecated
ironically. 1T seems ! don't count In
this game"
She smiled slightly, only to resume
after momentary hesitation: Every
thing went my way, even to my gain
Ing access to the hospital without the
regulation requirements. You see, a
nurse was taken Ill just as | arrived,
and | stepped into her place, filling 1t
as best | might. And then he came
badly wounded, but, oh, so brave"
She stopped short to fasten her row.
ing eyes on Jimmy's face.
go on" he urged bitterly. 1T Is
great place for condolences, so far
above the littleness Of our everyday
existence"
She turned to hide smile, continu-
Ing: Il nursed him for three weeks.
every day Of which was harder for
both of us. He insisted upon leaving
that he would advertise broadcast for
his nurse us soon as possible. l could
think of nothing but newspaper per-
sonals, and never read them, but he
has been 50 original, He certainly has
advertised broadcast, aid instead Of
paying for 1t he has made the adver-
Using medium pay him."
Don't! How can you be so trivial
at such a timer" he implored.
Suddenly her mood changed to one
Of bitter self denunciation.
wont you forgive me. jimmy" she
begged oh how l have lied to you,
all the while leading you to believe in
my perfect sincerity! Won't you for
give me-and forgetf' Impulsively she
rested both hands on his shoulder.
II forgive you" he repeated, but I
can't say the rest. guess you know
why, valeria."
Again her mood changed, like the
mood OF an April day.
Now viii you admit that true ro-
nance sometimes lies between the GOV.
ers?" she playfully demanded.
I'm admit anything you wish. You
can't hurt me deeper"
"Oh, goody" She clapped her hands
In ecstasy, then, slowly rubbing her
eyes, added lightly, Now that you've
owned up to being in the wrong may
as well admit that I've had such a
pleasant dream" AS she finished
speaking Valera regarded him eau
ttusly.
DO you mean to say that you fash
toned that out OF whole cloth as you
went alongf" he demanded in bewi-
derment.
why, yes; suppose so. But gave
you good 1T. didn't L? | Just had to
do II to show you what might have
happened In real life, for It Is not 20.
lite, you know, TO contradict lady"
I've good mind to shake you"
1T isn't polite TO shake a lady eli.
Their" was the ready retort.
For moment he was silent
You aren't angry. are you" she
coaxed. You know you Just said you'd
forgive my fbbing. After your saw
age arraignment Of the girl who crawl
ed along the back easement to trap
man | was afraid you might have as
poor an opinion OF me. so ia self pro
lection | had TO get your advance
promise OF forgiveness"
But there is such thing as adding
Insult to injury" he muttered almost
GROSSLY
1T was such pretty romance. You
Dughtn't TO get angry; really you