Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-25

"SDE STILL, sad heart, and cease
ID rcpinins
Behind the clouds is the sun still
shining:'"
garet's ear. Really" 1t continued. you
ought to be ashamed, You haven't taken
one bit OF interest IN anything since
John stevens went away ten years ago.
Margaret. and now at thirty-two look at
you, Supposng he should come baci,
suddenly; do you think he would be
pleased with the present appearance OF
the girl he used TO know"
Mary. you're my sister suppose YOU
have right to say such things" re-
turned Margaret wearily. although the
bright color famed in the usually pale
anceks' John and I loved each other.
ana II only knew what sent him away
without word" Don't say any
more about It." broke in Mary. Il know
~ been hard, but you haven't done a
thing TO make il easier. You mus, begin
noW 10 put the past behind YOU. Come
Gown to the church tonigit, t,-there's a
iair. YOU krow--and help me in the
apron booth. Wear something besides
hIacN Or graI-and a smile. too: and
now ! warn You. If YOU fail TO come 7
time"
Mary hustled out rather noisily leaving
Margaret alone with her thoughts. Her
sisters words had stung. and resentment
burned in her breast. Entering her bod
loom she stood before the mirror and
hegan ioosening her hair. The afternoon
sun streaming through the windows lit
II into mass of shinmerinC gold Jnbn
lad once thought it the most beo.,tirii'
mar in tho world she reflected bitterj1.
HS she brushed the shining strands rho
rose color had not yet left her chceks.
WI WI JUS! lor effect she tried n smile
nat transformation 4 dmpl. twin
h,,ed in each pretty cheek white teeth
Eieamed between red lips. A little thrill
ran through her ut her own prcttinrss
,MrtiuiiE she dressed her hair in the he :
"n,lnE iashlon of other days. Just for
tthlght she would be the Iarrnret os
forget u A"'' anu
ChoosIng II simple white dress Of soft
'IIhRihg material. she looked very lovely.
hS she adjusted ihr last fold but no
pink in her cheeks cried alnlid for =,
'"uch or blue. Dpcnng u burcuii. she
mn;itiy fashioned girdlc for her
irrsn from the rose vine outside ncr
WIDOW she made her way 10 The
'hurch. Divested of her wrap Mar.
zane rushing toward her "Aiargarc;.
like k s'd dreom rhe eXSlaimtd Saa, You look
toned behind n mass Of aprons Of ali
sizes and descriptions. and Margaret
was soon busy. and Interested too pros.
-n,iy stranger entered the church
vestry. Almos; az soon as Marv.rn,
hcr and said Look Margaret. there
Is Mark Andrews. He's been awav fnr
Years Poor fellow. he looks sick. How
determined he once was to marry
ilere II customer claimed
relief ""'''
Sure enough It was AIark-hc was
coming toward her now. After "A hand.
make ana brief conversation with the
,wo sisters. he disappeared but when
the evening was over and Mary and
Margaret were ready to go home thew
were surprised to find him waiting out.
side the door.
Il have something 10 say 20 vou. Na--
Earet. he said In a low tone. II have
no objection to Marys bearing H. I
VII tell you az We walk hacl; over the
"id road where years ago we all romped
ana piay"d together on our way TO
Frh"oL You would always let me carry
your books Margaret, when John
wasn't there" he said as they startcd
forth, and the idea got stuck in nv
hoyish brain that II he wasn't around
at an ! might always have the pleasure
or serving the little girl of my choice
That idea grew with the years and
while outwardly John and seemed
friends. no one knows how | longed Tor
clear field in which to press my suit
with you.
1T was the winter that Johns uncle
IN the West came home for visit that
! lost all hope and began to get morbid
! could zee the love growing steadily
between you two. and my heart was
as Icy IN those days as the frozen mill
pond where we used to skate. | was
walking home one evening when John
overlook me. Hello, Mark he said,
How would you like to go West on
uncle had received "A telegram calling
him back at once. and II, wanted some
young man TO go along with him John
had refused TO consider going-you can
lse-
to YOU Margaret. Then and there i
played my last card. NO | told him
I don't care to go West at present
Margaret has promised to marry me and
our plans for the future are still un.
settled John was too honest to sus.
pect deceit in an old friend. with
white lips hc asked. Is that true
Mark? ana when | assured him that Il
was he simply said, 'Good-by. old CHAP
and the best of luck to you both.
20 West tonight with my Uncle Bill
tried hard enough to win you after
that. Margaret hut | am gao now tina
failed. and n this late hour I an
trying to make what r-paration | can
Before John sailed for France tol,
him all, and when he comes back hel
come straight to you. He has nevel
ceased to love you: nor have lit hai
been my punishment" He turned
abruptly and WAS gone
Margaret was weeping softly i'll he
own little home when her sister finall,
hadr her goodnight. hut they were tear!
Of JOY. In her heart she felt sure wO
manlilie. she VAS alreudy planning
wonderful new wardrobe In which hlaCl
and gray had no part Throwing opri
Der shutters the next morning shc look
ed out upon a world which seemed I,
her to he all blue sky. golden sunshin,
and pink rOScE. Behind the clouds a
last" she thought happily to herself Al
she rested two plump arms OH the win
dow sill and watched FOR n moment tn,
humminp birds Hitting IN and Out anlOui
the blossoms below.
Tho next complete noyeiette-Oye
'he Wire.