Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-03

"Yop are saying that to comfort me-"
ITO comfort you. I--who have
wanted you so long that 1t hurts even
to thins about IL. Ever since the night
! came up the Street, and you were sit.
ting there on the steps--oh, my dear,
my dear, If you only cared little."
Because he was afraid that he would
get out of hand and take her in his
arrns-whch would be idiotic. since. of
course, she did not care for him that
way--he gripped the stcering-wheel. 1t
gave him II curious appearance Of max.
ing n pathetic appeal to the wind.
shield.
II have been trying to make you say
that all evening"" said Sidney. II love
you so much that X, won't you take
me in your arms?'
Take her in his arms! He almost
crushed her. He held her to him and
muttered. incoherencies until she
gasped. 1t was as If he must make up
for long arrears of hopelessness. He
held her off bit to look at her, us ii
to be sure Ii was she and no change
ling, and as II he wanted her eyes to
corroborate her lips There was no
lack of confession in her eyes; they
showed him II new heaven and a new
earth.
ut was you always, H." she con-
fessed. Il just didn't realize it. But
now, when you look back, don't you see
II VASE"
He looked back over the months
when she had seemed as unattanable
ms the stars, and he did not see it. He
shook his head.
II never had even hope"
mot when | came to you with every
thing? | brought you all my troubles,
and you always helped
Her eyes filled. She bent down and
kissed one of his hands. lie was so
happy that the foolish little caress
made his heart hammer In his ears
81 think, H., that Is how one can al
ways tell when it is the right one, and
will be the right one forever and ever.
1t is the, person---one goes to in trou-
ble.'
He had no words for that, only little
caressing touches of her arm. her hand.
Perhaps without knowing it, he was
formulating a sort OF prayer that,
since there must be troubles she
would always come to him and he
would always be able to help her.
And Sidney, too, foil silent. She was
recalling the day she became engaged
to Max, and the lost feeling she had
had. She cid not feel the same ut all
now. She felt MS II she had been wan.
lcrlng, and had come home TO the
arms that were about her. Looking in.
10 his steady eyes. she knew that she
was safe. She would never wither for
him.
Where before she had felt the clutch
Of ineXorable destiny the woman's fate
now she felt only his arms about her,
her cheek Oh his shabby coat.
II shall love you all my lfe,' she
said shakily.
His arms frightened about her.
| The little house was dark when they
got back 10 it. The Street, which had
heard that Mr.. lie Moyne approved Of
night air, was raising its windows for
The ight and pinning cheesecloth bugs
over its curtains to keep them clean.
In the second-story frame room at
| Mrs. Mckees. the baritone slept heav.
lily, anu made divers unvocal sounds.
He was hardening his throat, and so
slept with wet towel about it.
Down on the doorstep, Mrs. Mckee
and Mr.. Wagner sat and made love
with the aid of lighted match and the
pencll-pad.
The car drew up at the little house
Katie hnd heard 1t, and now she came
heavily along the hall.
"A woman left this for Mr. H." she
said. 'lf you think It's n begging let
ter, you'd better keep It until he's
bought his new suit tomorrow. Almost
any moment he's likely to bust out"
But IT was not begging letter. X
read it in the hall, with Sdney's
shining eyes on him. 1t began ub
ruptly:
I'm going TO Africa with one Of m!
cousins, She ~ medical missionary
Perhaps can work things out there.
If | caused death. | did not mean to
You will think thht no excuse. but II i
rue. In The hospital, when ! changed tn
battles on Miss PAGES medicine tray.
did not care much Nlat happened. but, |
/ vnp IifTErput tyttl vnl