The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-01-05

And-on!-so do I. / thought I'd got
over that, but when read his letter
I knew / hadn't. But didn't have
the courage to tell Fred; was CO.
ward. But kept hoping and praying
that something would happen to save
US at the last ditch. OF course, !
didn't want anything bad to happen
! to Fred, and I'm sorry for his trouble
but, oh! I'm glad to be free!"
But, Ada, the criticism, the com
ment' weakly deplored her mother
Besides, we don't like Howard Vance
any better than we ever did"
He has faults. know, but he'll ov-
ercome them with the right woman to
help him-aayway, I love him love
hint" Ada ended IN incohc-ent tears.
1t was some time before they could
Sooth her, but at last. when she was
more calm, Patricia slipped away to
her own room.
Soon. however the quiet became in
tolerable. and she went downstairs.
She wanted to learn whether Fred
had returned and ii he was going
away that night. There was no ono
in the living room, so she went into
the library OF the hall, where she
could watch for someone who might
know.
Il can do nothing-nothins
can't even fully express sympathy
without being misunderstood"
She laid her head down among the
sofa cushions. and tears relived the
grief that was in her heart. She did
not notice when the front door open
ed, nor was she aware of someone
standing in the doorway, until, voice
said:
"Why. Patricia, you tere?"
She sat up in confusion. Il stayed
to hear the outcome of your trip to
the station" FurtiveIy she wiped her
wet cheeks. glad that the light was
He sat down beside her When
got there. l found a night letter
Things at the nine aren't SO bad as
they we're first reported" She could
tell by his voice he was much cheer
ed
81 End on talking to the agent that
| make better connection by waiting
for the limited tomorrow morning. SO
I'm not going tonight"
I'm very glad things seem better
III her effort for self-control Patricia 5
=Cice sounded almost cold. But he
didn't seem to notice.
There was a moments silence then
he said: Perhaps this isn't the occa-
sion to speak-but in times like this
We can lay aside conventions. Prob
ably YOU know Ada's found out she
cares more for the other man-and.
we'll. care more for another woman.
He smiled, but his eyes were pleading
and tender You are first with me,
Patricia. you were from the begin
ming. but you were $3.50 reserved
l didn't think there was any hope.
There was another moment OF tense
silence, then he continued: Some
times, Patricia. the dead past comes
back and gives US another chance.
Will you turn back. dear. to where We
stood before misunderstanding sep2-
rated US"
She did not speak. She never could
IN moments OF strong emotion.
IF you'll marry me tomorrow. III
take you to San Antonio: and then
when things are more settled on the
border, We can begin life again to-
sether. Will you Gomez"
Still she did not speak, but by way
OF answer. drew down his tired young
head until his cheek rested against
her shining hair.
Though bota know that the hasty
wedding would bring surprise and dis
approval from some who were dear.
and life in the frontier country
stretched before them an unch2rted
sea; neither regret nor appreheo-
son marred their peace, or dimmed
the EIadness OF this flaming moment
that was all their own.