The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-04-12
BY MARY
ROBERTS
RINEHART

for long arrears of hOpelessness. He
held her OFF Il bit to look ut her, as if
to be sure 1t was she and no change
ling. and as II he wanted her eyes to
cOrroboratc her lips. There was no
lack Of confession in her eyes; they
showed him new heaven and u new
earth.
1T was YOU always, K.," she con-
fessed. II just didn't realize 1t. But
now, when you look back, don't YOU see
1t wasT'
He looked back over the months
when She had seemed as unattainable
MS the stars, and he did not see it. He
shook his head.
II never had even a hope"
Not 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. He was so
happy that the foolish little cnress
made his heart hammer in his ears.
II think. r., 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-onc goes to in trou.
ble."
lie had no words for that, only little
caressing touches of her arm, her hnnd
Perhaps, without knowing it. he was
formulating sort of prayer that
since there must be troubles, she
would always come to him and he
would always be able to help her.
recalling the day she became engaged
10 Max, and the lost feeling she had
had. She did not feel the same at all
now. SHE felt us if she had been wan.
dering, and had come home to tho
arms that were about her. Looking in
10 MS steady eyes, she knew that She
was safe. She would never wither for
him.
Where before she had felt the clutch
of incxorablc destiny, the womnn's fote
no" she felt only his arms about her
iler chcek on his shabby coat.
i shall love you all my life," she
said shakily.
His arms frightened about her.
me niue house was dark when they
got back to it. The Street, which had
heard that Mr.. lie Moyne approved of
hight air, was raising Its windows for
the night and pinning cheesecloth bags
over It's curtains to keep them clean.
In the Second-story frame room at
Mrs. McKee's, the baritone silent heav.
ny ana made divers unvocnl sounds.
lie was hardening his throat, and so
slept with Il wet towel about it.
Down on the doorstep, Mrs. Mckee
ana MI. Wagner sat and made love
with The aid of q lighted match and the
pencil-pn,l.
lhe car drew up at the little house.
Katie had heard 1t, and now she came
heavily along the hall.
"a woman left this for Mr.. H." she
said. "lf you think it's Il 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 1t was not a begging letter. K.
read it In the hall, with Sldney's
shining eyes on him. 1t began abb
ruptly:
I'm going to Africa with one of my
cousins. she Is medical missionary.
II l caused DEATH I did not mean TO-
You VIII think that no excuse, but it. 10
true In the hospital, when 1 changed the
bottles on Miss Pages medicine tray.
was different with YOU
lou dismissed me, you remember. had
peen careless about sponge count.
made up my mind TO got back at you.
fon remember the packets OF gauze
spohBes we made and used in the operat-
uotx,
paekage When We counted them as we
got them out, we counted by packages
On the night before left I went to the
operating room and added one sponge
ever! mere and there. Out Of every dozen
packets. perhaps, l fixed one that had
thirteen: The next day 1 went away.
Then l was terrified. l was SO fright
Ehea 'hat went down sick over It. When
got better, heard you had lost a case
ana me cause was being whispered about
Ia. Almost died OF terror. Then left the
city. ] couldn't stand It. was afraid
TO read newspaper
am not going to sign this letter. You
Know who 1t Is from. And am not going
10 ask your forgiveness, or anything Of
., .hat sort. don't expect 1T. But ono
me other night. You said you'd lost yoir
ialth In yourself This is to tell Won that
you need not And you said something
wonder!
X. stood In the hall of the little house
win the letter In his hand. Just be-
yond on the doorstep was Sidney, wait
ing Tor him. His arms were still warm
from the touch of her. Beyond lay the
street and beyond that lay the world
ana mans work to do. Work, and
1a'th TO 40 1t, good woman's hand In
me dark, Providence that made
things right In the end.
Are you coming, K.?"
Coming" he said. And, when ne
was beside her, his long figure folded
TO the short measure of the step. te
StOOped humbly nnd kissed tba nov, 20