The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1919-12-24

! how completely that heart had been
devoted to his memory
She was hoping that Bob would not
question her to the point where she
would have to tell him Of her plans to
immune herself In the old ladies'
home. -
No." said bob deliberately, II have
no friends there" He paused, look
Ing backward as II interested in some
one occupying seat behind thel0
across the aisle. Then It was that It
seemed to Madge us II there was
something very cruel In the fate that
had made It necessary for her to solve
her problem Of existence In the way
she had planned.
Il would seem like such q confession
Of her own utter inability to cope with
things. Madge felt. as II she were
showing her embarrassment, and sud-
denly she realized that Bob was as
embarrassed rs she.
Presently he excused himself. "Nfy
aunt--that little old lady in black IL
with me- he said. II will just tell
her that have met you, and then
may ] come and sit here beside you
for at least part Of the trip?"
Until he came Madge's heart beat
20 fast and her poor little tired brain
was In such whirl that she could
not explain just what she would say
IN the event that he asked her point
bunk where she was going II, for In
stance. he suggested that he accom-
pany her to her destination In NAL
| yern.
He came back and they talked about
the. dreary weather, then of Thanks
giving. Il suppose" ventured Madge,
for her curiosity was aroused, "that
you are going to Malvern for the hol!-
daysy She WINS sure now that Bob
was going to see possible fiancee.
She couldn't help being jealous.
y may stay over Thanksgiving" he
said drearlly. IF they let me-"
There was rather sorry attempt
to talk about things in general and
then the conversation got back to the
subject Of Malvern. 1t was only fif-
teen minutes away and each was
eager to find why the other was bound
there, though each was as eager not to
| tell.
It was Bob who began. II am really
| sorry for what am doing-ashamed
l would be II there were any way out
of It. Dear old Aunt Sally brought me
up. A mother could not have been
kinder to me. have wanted to make
q home for her--I hope to some day.
but she Is old and she cannot be
left alone. Now have chance to
do really big things in the West-thar
10. big for me. After year I've been
promised ten thousand year. But l
can't take. Aunt Sally with me. She
would be without friends. l want to
make good first. I've tried to repay
her just a little for all she did for me
l--that IL the reason why never asked
asked the one woman In the world
to be my wife. Because I felt that so
lO3g ms Aunt Sally lived l wanted to
live With her and l did not feel free to
ask her" B0b's eyes gazed past
Madge as Il ,rny were really afraid to
rest on her, and ne looked out on the
gray landscape without actually See
Ing II.
but, Bob" cried Madge as she
realized what he had been saying
and then their eyes met. "Why are
you taking her to Malvern? Are you
taking her to st. Anne's9'
"Yes, to st. Anne's. and It does
sound pretty shabby to let her 60 to
an old ladies' home-but 1t Is just for
the year. know she will be treated
well there and she would not consent
to my giving up this chance In the
West just to stay East with her. Then
TIL get little home and can afford
companion for her. But until then
They were very near to Malvern.
Suddenly It seemed to Madge as II the
whole world Of love and life were slip
ping through her fingers. She felt a
holiness OF speech that was not ut all
usual with Madge; besides. hadn't he
limited that she was the only woman !
Bob. II you had married and II
your-yOur wife happened to be very
fond Of old ladies--very tactful and
perfectly willing to be considerable
mlghtn't you have been willing to take
the wife and Aunt Sally out West
with you right away? The wife would
be willing to take care Of the dear old
aunt, and having them both with you
might help you to win out. That Is.
providing the one woman In the world
were still willing to marry you. even
though you nearly broke her heart be-
cause you didn't tell her that you loved
her before"
'Ycu didn't--you wouldn't really?''
stanmered Bob.
"Yes. did. Bob" announced
Msdge.
"But could you share your home
with Aunt Sallyw
| 1--WE reputation for being very
very fond Of old ladies-I know I'd
love Aunt Sally. could manage
beautifully with one old lady," and