The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-09-04

home disappointed in her. but some.
low he could not make up his mind
not to call on her again. She was q
dear llttie giri even though she was
-he butterfly type he detested. or
course, he did NOT guess that Harriet
had made up the society role 10 show
him just how impossible love making
with her would be. But despite II all
lac proposed 10 her the day she an
nouneed her intention OF leaving for
home.
Il could not think Of such a thing"
She answered la dismay. Goodness,
no.!
Melville did not wait 10 plead his
cause. He went away without saying
word. leaving Harriet wondering
whether to laugh or cry. She did not
have time 10 do either Just n few
minutes remained la which 10 catch
her train, and she hurried to get
ready.
The train was late. and as Harriet
waited at the station she had an OPP
portunity 10 think IL over. She had
been an idiot TO act the way she had.
she decided. Even II he was poor he
was perfect. What was poverty com
pared to happiness? She loved him.
Now she knew 1t. It was too late. Per
haps IL was not too late. Her bag
gage was checked through, but she did
not think OF that. She was beside her
aunt's hired man In the old ram
shackle buggy, and was ordering him
to drive to the farm where Melville
worked just as the train whistled at
the bend.
He has gone to the river" the farm
er told her.
The river Harriet's head swan.
There was only one thought In her
mind. Melville had gone to end his
life because she had so cruelty reject
ed him. She seized the lines from the
startled hired man and whipped up the
old horse The beast responded nobly,
but to Harriet II was snail's pace.
The river hove In sight. She was out
before they stopped at the bridge, and
then stopped. painting. On the bank
Just a few yards from the road sat
Melville, calmly fishing. Harriet
stopped long enough to get her heart
back to It's normal beat aud then crept
silently toward him
Melville was staring out over the
river, far-away look on his face. The
minute her arms encircled his neck
h. knew who 1t was, and took her in
his arms
She did not sob until her whole con
fession of love had been made, but
Melville kissed the tears away The
sun was slowly sinking. the shadows
were on the river. 1t would have made
a splendid ending had not Harriet re-
membered her trunk
My baggage" she cried. ut has
gone on the train. What will | dor |
'I'll telephone my man In the city |
10 get ii at the station, and bring 1t |
back here. Or | will get him to come
here with the car and we will drive to
he city after It,"
Your man. your carr Harriet |
yasped. do you live In the clty?"
Il am president OF the automobile
iIm that bears my name he smiled
4 am helping out here partly to rest
ny nerves, but mainly to do what |
an to help win the war. My eyesight
won't pass me for the army"
Harriet did not seem to be able to
believe 1t all, so quickly did every
hing happen. There was such an at
ractive little iyy-clad church In the
lillage they could not resist 1t. But
IN the way back to the city Mr.. and
frs. Melville Reynolds had chance
o think 1t over. As she nestled close
,eside her husband on the softly up
olstered seat of the touring car,
Harriet counted the buttons on her
ress Idly. Rich man" she started
n the second round There remained
ne more button, She hesitated to
ronounce the next two words. Her
ingers closed on the button and she
'as Just going to say poor man"
rhen the button slipped off into her
and She sighed ia relief Melville
mIled knowingly.
What II II had been poor man,
eary' he asked.
1t would have been all the same"
he answered as she placed the button
a his open hand and let his fingers
lose on hers Rich man or poor man,
Oh are my own dear man"