The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-11-04

the country, strength regained, a new
desire TO live.
She secured private room, special
care, and spent two weeks in the hos
pital. Just once, Elmer came to see
her She found his quiet, whimsical
ways and comments restful and enjoy
able; and she asked him to come again.
He failed to appear, sending a brief
note that he could not get away from
his work again; and then she remem-
bered how pale and tired he had look.
ed. The thought worried her, his fail
ure to come annoyed her, and in both
failure and annoyance she made a new
discovery of how much the awkward,
big hearted friend meant to her.
+! She went back to yillege in the
hills, and there began to regain rapid
ly strength she needed for her work.
Only one thing marred the happy days
the money he had sent her was
about gone surgeons, nurses, and
the hospital bills had mounted up
more rapidly than he had thought, she
reasoned; SO she wrote him.
Mr.. Stafford, in whose family she
was staying, happened to be going to
the city, and he volunteered to take
the note in to Elmer.
Her first surprise came in the even
ing, when she was called into the front
room of the house and found Elmer
waiting. She went to him gladly, in
stincttvely, and then paused, the thrill
in her heart dying. She wanted to put
her arms around his neck and tell him
just how much he had been to her, but
the look on his face arrested her. The
same old hungry look OF love was in
his eyes; but his haggard face was
lined and changed.
Rose Bee, have come to make a
confession" he said tensely. II didn't
I-er-there Is no more money"
Observation-Disclosures do you mean?'
There isn't any more money" he
repeated desperately. II know the
check was no good; l didn't have the
courage to take it to the bank. bor-
roWed from the firm and-and-I
worked night and day to raise the rest
and pay back some ! borrowed, l
knew you wouldn't take it-so !
thought of that scheme of making be-
lieve the check was good. I-I-had
to tell you. couldn't get hold OF any
money to send you. Do you-hate me
for it?"
From astonishment, amazement, to
tender understanding she went as she
listened. At his last boyish question,
she laid her face against his shoulder
and drew his arm about her. Hate
you my dear, great hearted boy" she
said gently; why. let me tell you what
l have been learning these weeks-T
love you!"
Rose Bee!"
A hoarse cough broke the spell. Mr.
Stafford stood in the doorway. Say,
If you young folks will forgive me, /
want to tell you something. l talked
with Horton, and he told me the story
of that check. I'm a curious old cuss,
and just for the fun of it cause could
understand how Pruit loved this girl
l guess you do, too, Horton-I had my
bankers telephone to that country
bank the check was on, while was
in the city; and l Just got home and !
had to give you the news-that check
just covers the balance old Pruit had
in his country bank! Elmer should
have tried to cash 1t, but l guess
everything is all right now!"
Elmer looked at Rose Bee, and Rose
Bee looked at Elmer, in the immemo-
rial speech of heart to heart; and then,
as she kissed him, she announced,
smiling through the mist in her eyes:
Dear, the Barker luck has bust
ed!"