The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-05-24
BEHIND THE CLOUDS
sy CHARLOTTE loMo.


Per Byndicats.)
sBe stIil, sad heart, and cease repining.
Behind the clouds II the sun stu shining
Thus spoke voice rnthef severely In
MnrEaret's ear. -Really." It continued.
''you ought to be ashamed! You
anything since John Stevens went
away ten years ago. Then you were
the belle Of the town. Margaret. and
now at thlrty.two look at you'll Sup
posing he should come back suddenly;
do you think he would be pleased with
the present appearance Of the girl he
used to known
MARY, you're my sister: suppose
you have q right to say such things"
returned Margaret YEARLY. although
the bright color famed In the usually
pale cheeks. "John and loved each
other. and II only I knew what sent
him away without word" Don't
say any more about It," broke In
Mary. II know It's been hard. hut you
haven't done a thing to make II easier.
You must begin now to put the past
behind you. Come down to the church
tonight-there's fair. you know-and
help me in the apron booth. Wear
something besides black and gray-and
smile. too: and now warn you. II
you fall to come shan't trouble you
again for long time"
Mary BUSTED out rather nolslly leav.
Ing Margaret alone with her thouEhts-
Her sisters words had stung. and re-
sentiment burned In her breast.
Choosing q simple white, dress Of
soft. clinging material. she looked very
lovely as she adjusted the Inst fold;
but the pink In her cheeks cried aloud
for touch of blue. Opening bureau
she deity fashioned girdle for
her slim waist, and with a pink rose
plucked fresh from the rose vine out
side her window. she made her way to
the church. Divested Of her wrap,
Mary came rushing towards her.
Margaret. is It yOu!" she exclaimed
"YOu look like a dream" Soon they
were stationed behind mass Of aprons
of all sizes and descriptions. and Mar
garet was soon busy. and interested.
too. Presently q stranger entered the
church vestry. Almost as soon a.
Margaret had caught sight Of him.
Mary nudged her and said: Look
Margaret, there Ii Mark Andrewh
He's been away for years. Poor fel-
low! he looks sick. How determined
he once was to marry you" Here
customer claimed Mary's attention.
much to Margaret's relief.
Sure enough. 1t was Nark-hs Wa
coming towards her now. After .
hand-shake and brief conversation
with the two sisters, he disapDe1psde
but when the evening was over and
Mary and Margaret were ready to %
home. they were surprised to hnd hlm
waiting outside the door.
II have something to say to you.
Margaret" he said In 4 low tone. \
have no objection to Mary's hearing 1t.
Twill tell you as we walk back over the
old road where years ago We all
romped and played together ON our
way to school. You would always let
me carry your books. Margaret. when
John wasn't there" he said. a. they
started forth. "and the idea got stuck
in my boylsh brain that II he wasn't
around Mt all I might always have the
pleasure Of serving the little girl Of my
choice. That idea grew with the
years, and while outwardly John and I
seemed friends. no one knows how l
longed for a clear field In which to
press my suit with you.
at was the winter that Johns uncle
in the West came home for visit that
lost all hope and began to get NOR
bid. could see the love growing
steadily between you two. and my
heart was as Icy in those days as the
frozen millpond where we used to
skate. was walking home one eve
ming when John overlook me. Hello !!
Mark he said. How would you like
to 60 West on short notice with Uncle
BillT His uncle had received tele-
gram calling him back at once, and he
wanted some young man to 60 along
with him. John had refused to con-
slider going-you can guess why. He
WINS on his way then to you, Marga-
ret. Then and there I played my last
card. No. I told him. 4 don't care
to 90 West at present. Margaret has
promised to marry me. and our plans
for the future are still unsettled John
was too honest to suspect deceit In an
old friend. With white lips he asked,
rs that true, Markr and when as
sured him that 1t was. he simply said,
'Good-by, old chap. and the best of
luck to you both. go West tonight
with my Uncle BILL tried hard
enough to win you after that, Marga-
ret, but am glad now that 1 failed.
and 1t this late hour am trying to
mike what PREPARATION can. Before
John sailed for France told him all,
and when he comes back he'll come
straight to you. He has never ceased
, to love you; nor have lit has been
, my punishment" He turned abruptly