The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-24


again with only a small salary. 1
cannot in honor ask you to share
this, therefore, dear one, 1 must
give you up. l have not the cour-
age to see you, so take the easier
way of writing you of my mis-
fortunes. l am afraid, too, that
your generous heart may prompt
you to make the sacrifice of marry
/ ing a very poor man, and dear
my pride will not let me accept
the sacrifice. 1 must have some
thing to offer you, and as that time
looks far distant now, l irelease
you. l am going away on a long
business trip and it will be, i'm
possible for a letter to reach me-
L am firm in this.
Always your loving John"
Never" she said to herself never
will give up John, He is mine! We
love each other and the power of love
shall keep US togetheri'
After she had recovered from the
first staggering blow she rose and with
head held up with resolve she went
to her room to think it over. She
would marry John no matter how poor
he was. She would overcome his
pride. poor fellow and share his pow
was the problem. She would manage
1t when he came to his mothers for
the week end
John Manning lived in jamestown.
Whlch was about an hours ride from
Narshfleld, where his mother and sis
ter ana Margery lived. He usually
came home for the week-ends
Next day Susie, Johns sister, came
TO see Margery to relate her sorrows
John was not coming home for the
weekend but was going to Buffalo to
live. He had written his mother that
he could not tell when he would be
home-perhaps in six months, perhaps
year.
L came to see you about it, Mar
gerry. Are you going to let your in
tenued husband stay away so long or
soon?'' .
I'VE haven't decided-yet." an
sWered Margery, but whatever comes
of Johns change or business will be
right for US all"
We'll, if You don't mind, we ought
not to complain. Still it's going to be
frlghtfully dull without John Sun
days, even tho you did have the
most of him. Mother and 1 are just
as sorry for you, Margery. as we are
for ourselves. Goodbye, dear, and
when you write John try to persuade
him to come home. Business isn't the
only thing in the world,''
After Susie's visit Margery realized
that her chances of seeing John were
so sure he would come home to his
mother.
He doesn't dare risk seeing me-"
she smiled. well, if b have so much
power over him 1 shall use it and get
him back" Tears came into her ewes
when she thought of John eating his
heart out in the loneliness of renun-
citation.
That same day Margery met Sam
Brown, the mayor, who told her of
plans for a coming political Injecting.
John Manning has promised % give a
speech on the fifth of next month and
We'll make lots of votes with that
speech. John sure has a wav with
people,
Margery was smiling as she walked
homeward. 'I'H see him when he
comes to make his speech and then
tell him the things it would do no
good to write. I'll make him under
stand"
She said nothing to her mother
about Johns letter-only that he had
gone to live in Buffalo and would not
come down to Marshfield for a long
time.
Mrs. Newman looked scrutinizingly
at her daughter, but seeing only
complacent smile on Margery's face,
concluded that her suspicion was
groundless.
a few days later Margary again met
the mayor, who stopped her and said:
What do you know about this?
John Manning has written the COM
mittee that he can't come to Marsh
field and deliver that speech. Says
urgent business takes him to Roches-
ter. We don't know what to do as we
are counting a lot on him. Do you
think you could help us ?"
II might" Margery answered.
Get him to make that speech; it
will win our cause and he'll make
hit in the state"
Margery began at once to study
ways and means of seeing John
CT dot ,e6
thought she, even tho l am disap-
pointed at every turn. Now for a
real PLAN
On the following Monday Mrs. New
man went to a neighboring town to at
tend funeral. Margery left for Buff
falo on the noon train. She had MOTTO
ed the name of a hotel on the sta
tionary when the mayor had held
Johns letter in his hand. SO she went
directly there and into the parlor and
rang for a boy to take message to
John.
Go to Mr.. Manning's door, she in
structed the boy. land say: Someone
in the rose parIor to see you, sir
speak" The boy smiled knowingly
when she slipped a dollar into his
hand.
She waited, nervous now that this
was the crucial moment What if
wasn't in his room2 Some business
might have called him out,
In the doorway she saw the grin
ming boy, who nodded to her. All
right" he said and disappeared
Approaching footsteps caused her
heart to beat furiously. What if she
didn't have strength OF wilt to carry
out her daring plan? Pain tore at her
heart when she looked into the sad
dened countenance of her beloved. He
gave a start of complete surprise when
| he saw her
She rushed to him, and taking both
| of his hands in hers, she exclaimed:
"Oh, my dear, did you think 1 would
| let you bear this all alone? You don't
know me, dear 1 shall share your