Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-10-03
The Last Shall Be
Best
By A. w. PEACH

*es~~~e~~~~s~~~~~~s~~~S~~~~~~~~~~A
Copyright. 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper syndicate.)
Norman Milroy, on entering the
room, found his friend seated before |
the crate Of the fireplace into which he
was slowly feeding bits of torn paper.
His whole attitude was that of man
performing q solemn rite, and doing 1t |
sadly, albeit with some degree Of dis
taste.
Hello. Carey, why the air of grief2"
was Milroy's greeting.
Carey looked up with quick glance,
and Milroys curiosity was further In
creased by the mingled light of regret
and anger in his friends eyes.
Carey continued to shuttle the torn
bits Of paper into the fire which licked
up the fragments. Another glance
told Milroy that Carey was burning let
ters-letters written in small, fem
mine handwriting, and one that he
himself recognized with start as that
Of the girl whom they had both met
that summer. She had seemed to ia
vor Carey, and Milroy had retired as
gracefully as he could after he dis
covered that her dark eyes had for
him no light that is the most wonder
full Of all on earth.
Shocked into seriousness by what
he had discovered, he said hesltating-
ly: But those bits look like the rem
nants Of letters. Something wrongT
Carey said nothing for q moment,
then muttered sharply: "That's what
they are-letters. I'm making a bon
fire Of the letters Mildred wrote me-
and that's Just what they are good
for.
Milroy's heart Jumped. If some
thing had come between his friend and
the girl they both loved, there might
be chance for him, for next to Carey,
Milroy knew she had seemed very
friendly to him.
What is the trouble, old chap,
something that can be Strengthened
outf" Milroy asked.
Carey shook his head with growl.
Knowing the ways of his good-hearted
but Quick-tempered friend, Mllroy said
nothing but waited.
A moment later the crouchlng fig
ure handed up small letter, and Mil
roy took IT. He recognized the fine
handwriting, the girlishly formed let
tiers, and the memory of them as he
had seen them in brief notes to him
came back with a rush with memories
Of her.
30. Nha
the letter. The chill of the first line
struck him first. Instead of the low
Ing terms which loved one might be
expected to use, there was the gaunt,
cold, formal: "My Dear Mr.. Myron."
From that cool greeting, hardly one
that girl would send to her lover,
Mllroy's eyes ran on to the body of
the letter. It began: II feel that It
is time that you and came to an I'M
derstanding," and 1t went on to state
in cold terms her idea of his be-
havior. Undoubtedly 1t was a let
ter that severed the relations between
them.
Rising from before the crate,
Carey looked at him with mournful
eyes. There's the end of a sum-
mer's dream; and why 1t should be I
don't know. My COMPOUNDED hot tenn
per made me write things a while ago
that I did not mean. She failed to
keep an engagement with me-went
Off with an old beau and left me
In the lurch. wrote bit hotly about
1t. I'm done-and I suppose 1t is
your chance. know how she re-
CARDS you"
Milroy stopped his reading. IF you
have lost interest In her"
Lost interest in her." Carey said
sharply. "Man, love her more than
ever did, but no man with any sense
of honor can belttle himself by get
ting down on his knees after getting
a note Of that kind"
Milr0y started to say: IF a man
loves girl enough, he will get on his
knees-or even do more than that"
but knowing his friend he said moth
ing.
Throw the letter into the fire
with the rest Of 'em-that's where
1t belongs" said Carey shortly. "Ill
be sorry for the whole affair before
1t Is over, but that's the way l feel
now"
Milroy started to hand the fateful
letter to Carey, who took 1t in his
hand and then paused.
He looked at him with musng eyes.
II have always thought you were the
chap for her. / know you have been
out Of touch with her since our en-
gagement. You might as well start In