The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1918-11-21
THE MAGIC:
By AGNES q. eRoeAN.

1T was bad enough" he told himself,
to be merely an humble clerk in
great authors employ, but to have
dared to fall in love with the authors
only daughter. thai was the worst"
He was glad that war was calling
him away; in unselfish action, he might
be able to forget. Billy was not even
sure that Theodore would be sorry ut
his departure.
Dora had grown to young woman
hood through various schools of train
ING, retaining still the frank ingenu.
business of childhood. Useful also. she
Insisted upon being, rearruuging. with
competent hands. the disorder of her
fathers study; singing the wb!c per-
t,aps, or easily chatting with Billie.
Meeting the secretary occasionally
ny chance, as he left the entrance of
Gail Park, Dora would invite him to
ride home in her car.
Absolutely, the girl enjoyed her fa-
TIERS confidence; what Theodore did,
was in his opinion, always aud exact
~ the right thing TO do. This parttcu-
lar morning Of BiIlie's gloom, he had
| awaited breathlessly her appearance
in Ike corridor leading to her fathers
St1,'F, bcin% screened behind heavy
| dr. res. Eiilie had fed nrecirittte-
| ly - h2Hsaprroach. 1t was difficult to
! trust lmScl, With 4 simple good morn
in, Willie his heart continued to
p" in,! in this foolish manner.
| NI.,t1lfnlly T,iIIio op4.,ro,1 t,,, ,,., ,,>4
unoccupied study, and seated himself
mt his desk. Into the sanctum, smiling
and glowing, came Dora.
Glow do ven dog she began, then
| paused in mock concern. 'Wh, sort
nl tragedy has bcfal!cn You THIS morn
ln&:' she inquired. "Surh a fo.'b;a.iing
face! am almost afraid ia remain.
| ilo~ poor father continues to bear up
under Your various nonjls--" She
threw OUT her pretty hands expressive
ly.
Eilljr forced smile, 81 have enlist
ed he replied; didn't wait for my
draft, Going off to train tomorrow"
Dora adjusted a vase, studying with
critical eye the new effect. "rhcn,"
she remarked. 81 should go. in brave
frame oil mind, worthy of the cause"
billie stitched rescntfully. "You
do1't think I'm blue because Tn
| afraid to iisiii!" he asked iiprcc!y.
Miss Cali came over to Bilie's desk.
/ ami stood locking down into his eyes
In the depths OF her own Erll"d a
smile. ;Hally," SHE said, 'sunl~times
dent i,noW What to think of you
Billie. But she continued brSkly,
my trrand here was to say that fa-
Their has been called away, and Nil! not
return nntil evening, your day is free"
The prospect of freedom did not
Seem il bring joy to the sccretary,
r&@fe.iHi'v lie BEGAN to sort nc papers
Oh MS do;'i the possibility of a-ain
seeing Dora that very last CAY, was
gone.
y mn woaderiaa.' said that young
adN from The window, of it would not
| D" Il sort oS RCD Cross work 10 take
rou for n drive Ills afternoon; out in-
to The country, may be where in the
open Yea l1iisiit sci ii bri,sltor npr.
elective Of your great coming venture"
"NN you:" asked Billie. lis voice
actu@ily tram'ed in ea@eln@s.
! Al troahiin- things Wee FORGOTTEN
in!in% iitat long ride.
Content with III present. billie loan
I'd back in his seat beside the girl and
s;.Zel into her sweet face. Al I'll
sh" stopped the car: Before them
stretched, seemingly endless fields of
| green.
''Here," said Dora, 1--WE will get out
/ and commune with nature" With q
laugh she tossed from the cur small
faded rug.
"Handle 1t carefully" she directed
| "that is my magic rug. brought years
ago from an Egyptian palace. Father
bought 1t for mo when We were
abroad"
"A magic rugf'
Amusediy, Billy spread 1t out on the
grass. Dora nodded as she motioned
him to share it's protection.
They told 10 20 much about them
when We were over there" she said,
that I insisted upon father buying this
ono at IN exorbitsnt price. But you
will agree that 1t Is well worth while.
One has but to sit upon the rug 80.
name their hearts wish and 10! It 10
granted. You may even be transport.
ed where you will. One has but to
speak aloud the wish and believe in
its power"
"Wonderful! !" exclaimed Billy. Alb.
sently he fingered the ancient tapestry.
"You might tell it," prompted Dora.
She smiled but her eyes were grave,
shat you wish to come sarely back
from the war to your apartment in
New York"
NO" answered Billie, II don't care
much about coming back to that place.
There would be something to look for.
ward to, though, if might come to
small home Of my own with"
"Wilh roses growing around the
doorway:' queried the girl.
'Tf you were there" said Billie
dreamily, chat would be rose enough
for me!'
Appalled,, he realized that words
long withheld had spoken themselves
| "An imDOSsihla wish of cours.oD I,o