Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-11-28

tionS began 10 take on a more hopeful
tone. Things are coming slowly but
surely" he would write.
Frances hoped in vain that Melville
would return home for visit. He
had said he would come for her when
he made good" but now, when he
was making good. there was no men,
tion of the visit. Then came this let
ter referring 10 her as little sister"
in which he told her that he had at
last attained the object he had sought.
He was successful stock broker. with
an office of his own and neat sum In
bank. But never a mention OF coming
to Glendale did the letter contain.
Later in the day the sun chased the
clouds away and warmed the earth
again and Frances went for n walk.
Maybe this is the bright. sunny dnv
he referred to- she said. as she
threaded her way through the village:
and she laughed, with Il tinye Of visit
fulnesS. when she recalled the "little
sister" passages OF the cpistle from
Melville
At the edge of Glendale was wood.
en- bridge which spanned a silent little
brook, vending its way through the
valley with many twists and turns.
Foliage was beginning TO adorn the nu-
merous trees on either side Of the
stream. which looked delightfully."- re-
freshing. Frances leaned over the
railing and looked into a miniature
whirlpool created by a bend which
formed n pool just above the bridge. A
fish coming up to dine on an early bug
left spreading circles in the water, and
1t caused something like sob in
Frances throat. She had seen that
same thing happen-perhaps it WAS
the same fish--when she and Melville
stood looking over that same railing
Of that same bridge on the same kind
Of duy two years ago. 1t was the day
on which he asked her to marry him.
4 purring sound along the road
made her look up the slope and see
an automobile approaching the bridge
and the village. In the car was Mel
vile Clark. on his way to Jensen City,
10 miles distant, to deliver q proposal
OF marriage to Julia Armstrong.
daughter of Benjamin Armstrong. the
wealthy importer, who lived In the
same city where Melville had made
good In the financial world.
( Melville had decided to marry Julia.
not because OF love but because she
would get dowry that would increase
his little fortune at least threefold. A
taste OF riches had made him hungry
for more. and he had set out DELHI
erately to win Julia for his bride. She
appeared responsive. and he could see
that her parents did not object.
When Julia went away for q week
as the guest of honor at house party
at Jensen City and invited Melville to
join her Sunday he had decided it was
the opportune time to make his pro-
poSal. He arose Sunday morning
when the watch under his pillow told
him 1t was eight o'clock. Picking up
a timetable he made cure that the
train for Jensen City left mt 9 80. and
then he smiled when he saw that one
Tor Pembrook went exactly an hour
later. IS
The smile was occaSioned by the
realization that his old home town WAS
on the Pembroke line, and because he
had never gone back for visit. Fran
ces Hayden did not enter his thoughts;
they were busy with more important
matters.
When Melville arrived ut the station
ne had five minutes, according to his
watch. and a train was standing on
the track. It was q branch station.
and he did not have to show n ticket
ut the gate. 1t was only after he In!
been riding half an hour that he dis.
covered he was on the wrong train
That was when the conductor came to
take up his ticket.
Your train left an hour before this
one" said the official. "You must have
forgotten to set your watch ahead
Shall let you of ut the next station?"
"Can you beat that?" Melville ex-
claimed in vcxatlon. II forgot this
was the day hhe daylight saving law
went into effect" He thought swiftly.
I'll get off at Glendale" he told the
conductor. II cum get an antomo,.ile