Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1918-12-05
The Proving
D. JACK LAYTON


Into the race OF the man who held 10.
"Do you know" she said. and laugh
ed softly. Il have been wondering,
how one who can 80 beautifully pic
ture home and domesticity has so long
escaped Its charmT
The mau looked back straight Into
her eyes.
some might ask" be replied, ''the
same question of you"
*And n answered truly, you would
not believe. One never believes q
wDsnan II III ilsa man alone who III
supposed 10 prefer freedom When I
tirst came here" che woman smiled.
''you were pointed out TO me as
henrtiess trIaer In affections Dis
appointed maids, IT seemed. had Ian
guished all along your path. so con-
Guided that you had perhaps. been dis
appointed yourself in fnncied loves.
which were but fancles after ALL"
speaking from experiencer' the
man suggested.
speaking from experience" the
woman calmly agreed. ?
"And when you came among u.s."
he went on. Il marveled at your choice
Of this sleepy town as a place Of abode.
You were successful illustrator.
they told me, and--pardon me-your
manner and appearance we're both
so remarkably attractive one wonder.
I'd that you could bring yourself to
hide 80 much"
The woman put forth protesting
hand.
NOW" she said. II am not one Of
those who expect fiattery Therefore,
IL Is not necessary 60 make the e.
fort decided 10 build my we'll
enTned bungalow here, and settle down
IN the quiet and beauty my weary
spirit has long coveted. am doing
good work, the principal advantage
and I'm near enough 10 run into the
city when occasion demands. On the
score, have done some marvel
Ing about y0u. A clever man 10 amy spe-
ciRl line II interesting Why does the
architect 81 ability prefer also to re-
slide ia the hidden corBerr
THE home Of my fathers" the man
replied. correctly speaking. the home
ef my father. Though I may travel
far. this spo, remains my headquar
terR.-
The woman nodded understand
ingly.
suddenly her companion leaned for.
ward.
"Do you kaow." he said, ~shat from
slsW hrat moment saw ron. you hava
never been oas % my fiigugsltsT'
-Never have l." he laughed shortly,
deliberately sought without encour-
agemsnt Of any sort. an unmarried
woman with the intention Of making
ber--my friend. You have helped me
wonderfully In suggestions concerning
my work. In many ways, your frank,
sweet influence" his voice tYembled.
n believe that this--friendshlp Mt
last my longing FOR the home and do
msstieity OF which you spoke. be-
lieve"--hIs hands reached out 10
clasp the woman's. but hers were busy
with the portfolio--''that love has
found me ct last"
"You viii not believe II. Alta little
Time" she said. "Nor win l. For you
have also captured my--shall we call Il
admlrationi But love l--ohi our
friendship Is too pleasant thing 10 be
placed with past fanelea loves. Let
Us put the imaginative aside. and go
on heipfully as we have been"
The man arose and walked impa-
tientiy the length Of the room.
"Do not let us be deceived by gia-
mour. John. We have both grown into
our independent ways; I--why. / am
too selfish now to consider your needs"
Among her flowers. a few days later.
d village neighbor found the iIlustra-
tor. She had always been proud Of
her small. white hands, 30 they were
protected now by heavy gloves.
Have you heard" the neighhor
questioned, "about John Craithorne---
the bachelor architectf Wen, he's
down with this terrible Influenza and
the doctors say he's pretty bad. His
father. who was took 20 the hospital
with II yesterday. died this morning.
The housekeeper clean cleared out
scared to death Of the disease; and
they can't coax soul In to take care
o. him. Most eyerybody's busy with
their own home folks. an it's too late
10 take him TO the hospital, IL they
was room there. which they Amt.
"The doctor was there three times
today and did what he could for Mr..
craithorne. He asked me to 10 In, but
landi ] got to look out for my fam
lIy."
Constance. the illustrator, tore the
gloves from her hands; her face was
white her eyes burned with light
OF purpose. Before the neighbor had
reached her own door, Constance was
AZ John Craithorne's bedside. He did
not recognize her. but that did not
matter.
When the doctor came again, the
two labored together through the
night. and by morning the patient had
been given his chance. hopeful
chance Il was. Wan. disheveled the
Nick man looked UP into the tenderIy
transformed face Of the woman.
'sYou must get better, John" she
murmured fiercely. II could die for
you, learned that last night. But /
cannot live without you"
With vast effort the man moved his
painful head to rest II against her
breast.
constance" he breathed. sthis ii
heaven"