The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-02-14


gagged. For over a month his letters
/ from a distant city had ceased. After
! the death of her father she had writ
/ ten Vane Powers, telling him that he
was the only friend to whom she could
4 appeal for sympathy and counsel.
( WaldrOn Merritt could not get Anita
BerdOn out of his mind all that day.
/ He could not contine his thoughts to
! business. He did not return to his Of
! fee, but strolled about the streets. His
meditatiOns were of the helpless being
who so appealed TO his sympathies and
( his emotions.
81 will do itr' he spoke aloud at
length, and his lips set close as though
he had formed a mighty resolution. 1t
was mid-afternOon when he turned his
face towards the bereft home of Anita
Berdon.
"YOu viii forgive my intruding up
on you again." he said but | could
not get you out cf my thoughts. Miss
Berdon. l am plain spoken, honest
thinking man. You are homeless. in
the midst of trouble. tremble to real
ize how bitter and hard must be your
battle with the world. Let me share
your burdens. l have a competency.
Become my wife"
She stared at him with unbelieving
eyes.
"Say that again."
Il ask you to marry me-" repeated
Merritt. I'VE will not talk of love-
that comes after respect and esteem.
I cannot see you 90 out alone into the
world and my name will shield you
and my means afford YOU comfort.
Poor child" and his manly tones quiv-
cred. "Ned me and 20 to your aunt.
Rest, adjust your life to new condl-
tions. At the end Of six months, or a
year, I will come to you. Then, If you
are willing To become my real help
meet, I will De Glad--yery glad"
He saw the tears come into her eyes,
his own We're humid with infinite COM
passion. She put out both hands to-
wards him. His own trcmbled as they
received them.
"You are a good man" she said
simply. 81 will try-try hard 10 learn
to appreciate the noblenesS. the sacrl-
fee of one who would honor n poor,
soul-woarled girl whom be takes on
trust"
He obtained the address OF her aunt
and ordered the things on the porch
sent there. There was simple cere-
mony at the home of a clergyman. At
once he took her TO the train.
AS my wife" he said. "you will
send for what money you require. You
will not have TO send for me twice -
have me hasten to you, when you care
20 see me"
The weeks went by. and the only
word Wadron Merritt received from
the woman he had welded was a form
al. almost humble note. briefly telling
that she was well and comfortable and
asking him to discontinue send.n. the
liberal monthly allowance he Insisted
on transmitting TO her. Anita declared
that she had no need Of the money
that he had originally fully provided
for hor.
Then Waldron Merritt made a disc
coycry that disturbed him greatly. Bv
mere ch0rcr De heard ~ the engage
mcnt Of Anita 10 Nanc Powers. Hn
began To investigate. 4 dina fear aud
suspicion grew in his mind 10 mighty
proportions. He made some lnyasu-
cation as to Powers 10 rud that d..
Wa, ont Of work in a certain city.
Through n legal agency he had "A posi-
ton found for the man. some money
supplied him. and then completed his
sacrifice by writing to Anita.
He told her frankly that he Ind
learned Of her engagement 10 a young
or man than himself: that her love
being his, he should not stand 90 the
way Of their happiness. He indicated
that it would be little trouble legally
70 void "A marriage that had been
mere hollow form He was coming
to see her. and he named the time "
his arrival. indicating that if BE- dli
not meet her he would come % the
home Of her aunt. He wished TO ar
range for legal steps necessary To-
their separation and 20 place Nanc
Powers more completely on his feet
/ Waldron Merritt went TO the town on
this set mission. 1t was dusk when h.
arrived and his mind was SO occupied
with thinking over all the sad vague
situation that, as he took lonely road
leading toward the present home Of his