The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1919-07-24
They Were.
!. Seven!
Copyright. 1919. By western Newspaper union.
3, ERNEST nErrER1poR

Copyright. 1919. By Western Newspaper Union.)
Hooking for a job, eh? Well, you
60 seven blocks down that street to
the end of the town. There you'll find
Sevenoaks. Neat little place. John
barlow owns it. Ask for him. I hap
pen to know he wants handy man
and you look like. that. And say.
there's pretty daughter there. Aha
Stick to barlow for seven years, like
the man did in the story, and maybe
you'll get her. And she's worth wait
ing for, believe me"
Thus native Of Brompton, answer
ed an incidental inquiry of Wylie
Marsh. The latter, fine looking
young fellow Of about 20, smiled at
the quaint presentation Of his infOr-
mant, thanked him and seemed in
fused with the "seven" idea, for with
in seven minutes he was at the Oar.
low place.
Seven hours work about the place
and at the supper table Marsh met
Celia barlow. Never so tidy little
housekeeper, never a more charming
face! With feeling Of rare content
Marsh settled down into a groove that
seemed exactly fitted to him.
BY the end of seven weeks Marsh
and Celia were engaged. At the end
Of seven months John barlow discov-
cred this mutual devotion, fiercely or
dered Marsh out of the house and
nearly broke Ceua's heart by that
act. Celia eloped with Marsh, and
from town seven miles distant wrote
a beseeching note asking for the pa
rental blessing and forgiveness.
There came back scathing, scorch-
ing reply. Forever, it stated, she was
shut out from heart and home. Neither
she nor the man she had welded with
out permission should ever darken
the door Of Sevenoaks again! More
appeals, more bitter and definite re-
plies, and Celia knew that she had
cast In her lot with Marsh for good.
Seven years passed by, unforgiving
and lonely for John barlow, full Of
life, variety and bliss for the welded
pair. Tender, considerate, loving,
Marsh had never given Celia cause
to regret marrying him, except for sor-
rowful thoughts regarding her father
Celia was supremely content.
Marsh, it seemed, before coming to
Se*enoaks had been a member of a
nj IL ccfv
peculiar talent. This was the abil.
ity with lightning swiftness to hang,
twist and swing from one trapeze bar
to series Of others placed at vari-
GUS distances. His act was q star
one and literally paid for. When he
had applied at Sevenoaks for work it
was after fit Of illness and out Of
the circus season.
! Marsh followed his unique profess
sion only four months in the year. The
first season Celia accompanied him,
and added to their store Of savings
by taking charge of the wardrobes Of
the members of the troupe. The Sec
ond year there was a baby, the third
year Marsh had accumulated sufficient
to purchase pretty bungalow with
several acres set in small fruit sur
rounding it.
Then began an ideal existence for
the happy pair, still lovers. Marsh
was at home eight months Of the year.
Two new babies came along and health
and harmony made the time fly swift
ly. Upon each recurring birthday Of
her father Celia wrote him a loving
note, but no attention was paid to
these.
1t was the anniversary of their we'd
ding day when bad news came to
them. SevenQaks was 200 miles away,
: but Marsh got out his automobile
and started on the long trip without
losing a moment. A telegram from a
physician had apprised Celia that her
father was dangerously i'll. When
they reached the old home a nurse
told them that Mr.. barlow was I'M
conscious, and after they had seen the
physician they knew that the patient
had seen his best days.
u1S lIOuUIc Audy wear OA Will
time;" the doctor said, "but he may
be an invalid for many months" There
was serious consultation and Marsh
took the responsibility of removing
his father-in-law to their own home.
Marsh had to 60 away on business
and it was with eagerness and expect.
ancy that he returned at the end of a
week. Celia had written him that her
father was improving, that he had
even been able to come out into the
garden in an invalid chair, but that
his mind seemed still clouded.
All! how 1t awakened to full action
the day when Marsh returned. As
the volatile gymnast came in sight Of
the house seven children flocked to
meet him with joyous cries. One by
one he picked them up, and one by
one as he had them he hung them
all in row upon the lower limb Of
tree, suspended by toes, knees and
hands. They filled the air with stri-
dent mirth. Then Marsh struck an
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