The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-09-25
The PlOtters,
Above Story
A Serial of East and
w est by Virginia
Terhune Van de
Water
CHAPTER xLVuI.

\ VIZ mort cut through the
woods was 50 rough that
John Butler and Elizabeth
Wade had to 20 slowly.
Yet they made few comments on
the unevenness Of the trail. For
the past hour they had been talk
ing steadily. Now that all ques-
lions had been-for the present, at
least-asked and answered, a 81
lsnce fell upon them
But IL was q happy silence, for
each was busy with thoughts too
deep for words.
Elizabeth was reviewing mem
tally all that she had been through
this SUMMERTIME fears. her sink
ings Of heart, above all her dread
OF John Buffers anger with her for
the plot in which she had played
so large a part.
For II might have turned out
very differently. John might nos
have recovered his health Or he
might have been angry with Doug
las and herself.
She had not told her companies
Of how little money Douglas had,
OF how hard . fight he had 10
make That was !GmethinR that
concerned her and her brother. she
was not so foolish as to fancy that
all her brothers secrets must be
confded to the man whom she was
to marry.
She felt almost guilty as she re-
nected on how much smoother her
own path would probably be than
Douglas path had been She had
no idea as to how much money her
betrothed had. She did not care.
She knew that he could support her,
and IT did not matter how simply
they must live.
OF course, Johns mother had
money, but John would not touch
that. The probability was that he
must work just as hard for his iiv-
ing now that he was restored to
health as must any other young
man who 10 not actually poor.
Perhaps he might carry on his
profession as scientific farmer He
had proved what he could 30 with
this farm that had been sadly
neglected for years
Her Spirits Drop.
And now that she remembered
the farm she recalled her anx-
iety with regard to Il, and her
spirits dropped suddenly. In her
nsw-found happiness she had for
gotten that she must part with
the place that was 30 dear to her.
Yet she was glad that there was \
chance that Amos would not own
1t. that John had . friend who
might buy the property. She want
ed to know something about this
possible purchaser.
John!" She spoke 30 abruptly
that her betrothed was startled
from his musings. 81
Yes darling" solieitously.
whats wrongf Have you hurt
yourself-or are you very tiredr-
'Nothing's the matter" she
laughed at his question. at WIS
only wondering when you could
get In touch with the friend you
mentioned"
What friend?" he questioned,
puxHled.
Tire man you thouEht mIxAt
want to buy the farm from Doug
las" she explained.
John Butler put his arm shout
her and drew her to him.
Why do you ask. little girlr"
Il was just WONDERING" she con-
fessed. "if you could Communicates
with him soon-for I do not want
Amos to own the place"
He won't" with q confident
smile The man 1 spoke OF has
decided to buy It at your brothers
"oh! Her exclamation was 50
fraught with establishment that her
Companion smiled. But how do
you know? Surely you have not
had time to confer with him? VINO
'GuessT'' he leased.
Then. as she saw the look In hfs
eyes, the truth burst upon her.
"oh. john" she breathsd. you
do not mean-oh, my dsar-you
can't afrord-that Ia do you
mean She stopped, words
failing her.
Yes" he declared. "I do mean
just that. 1 want the farm as .
present to the dearest girl that evSr
lived. Darling II your brother will
part with It am going to buy Il
Then II viii be yours absolutely.
Ho~Oe--g ASAAAhB-gOu
cryingF
Tears OF Joy.
"Oh, John" she murmured. cling
ing to him. There Is not such IN
other man in all the world!"
Perhaps 1t Is well for the world
that there is mott" he Knocked. But
we must get on home, dear girl, for
we have quite a rough path ahead
OF u.s.
He was right. The path proved
so rough that, when they reached
the edge OF the wood, Elizabeth's
shoes were mud-stained, and her
thin dress torn by snags and roots.
what = fright I IookT she ex-
surveying her muddy skirt
81 am ashamed OF my appearance"
you need not be-" he assured her.
"In my estimation you look lovlier
with each minute that passes"
She laughed at his tender words.
"If that were only true" she said,
at might be beauty by the time
am an octogenarian- But 1 am
glad am good to look at In your
eyes, John"
"Oh" as q step sounded on the