The Washington times., 1919-04-15

very buHgs or mink Ihey are. For
youth days dawn and Sanish in the
space Of a firehy's. ADgering flash;
and the moments swarm by like a
night Of distracted golden butter
ntes; and q young man is ever at
their heels in breathless chase with
as much chance Of catching up
with the elusive moment as a squir-
rel has Of outstripping the wheel
in which he whirls.
So he neglected to reply-waited
q little too long. Because, while
b her childish letter still remained
unanswered. came q note from the
Princess Mistchenka, inclosing a
tremulous line from Rue:
Non cher James:
Doubtless you have already heard
OF the sad death of Ruhannah's
parents-within a few hours of
each other-both stricken with
pneumonia within the same week.
The local minister cabled her as
Mrs. Brandes in my care. Then he
wrote to the child; a letter has just
arrived.
Ny poor little protegee il pros-
trated-talks wildly of going back
at once. But to what purpose now,
mon ami? Her loved ones will have
been in their graves for days be-
fore Ruhannah could arrive.
Promises Rue Diversion.
No; shall keep her here. She is
young; she shall be kept busy every
instant OF the day. That is the
only antidote for grief; youth and
time its only cure.
Please write to the Baptist minis
ter at Gayfeld, James, and find out
what is to be done; and have it
done. Judge Cary. at OrangeviIle,
had charge of the Rev. Mr.. Carew's
Affairs. Let him send the necessary
papers to Ruhannah here 1 in
close a paper which she has exc
cuted, comforting power OF attorney.
If guardian is to be appointed, I
shall take steps to qualify through
the good offices OF Lejeune Bros,
the international lawyers whom I
have put into communication with
Judge Cary through the New York
Representatives Of the firm.
There are bound to be complica-
tions, I fear, in regard to this mock
marriage OF hers. have consulted
my attorneys here, and they are
not very certain that the ceremony
was not genuine enough to require
further legal steps to free her en-
tirely. A suit for annulment is
possible
Please have the house at Brook
hollow locked up and keep the KEYS
in your possession for the present
Judge Cary will have the keys sent
to you.
James, dear, I am very deeply in
debted to you for giving to me my
little friend, Ruhannah Carew.
Now, wish to make her entirely
mine by law until the inevitable
day arrives when some man shall
take her from me.
Write to her. James; don't be sell
hsh. Yours always, NAIA.
The line inclosed from Ruhannah
touched him deeply:
l cannot speak OF IL yet. Please.
when you go to BrooIhoIlow, have
flowers planted. You know where
our plot is. Have II made pretty
for them. RUE.
He wrote at once exactly the sort
OF letter that an impulsiVe, warm
hearted young man might take
time TO write to a bereaVed friend.
He was genuinely grieVed and sorry
Tor her, but he was glad when his
letter was finished and mailed, and
he could turn his thoughts into
other and gayer channels
To this letter she replied, thank
ing him for what he had writfen
and for what he had done to make
the plot in the local cemetery
pretty"
Hopes and Aspiration.
She asked him to keep the keys
to the house in BrookholIow. Then
followed a simple report Of her
quiet and studious daily life in the
home of the Princess Mitscheuka.
Of her progress in her studies: of
her hopes that in due time she
might become sufficiently educated
to take care Of herself
1t was q slightly dull, labored.
almost emotionless letter. ALWAYS
willing to shirk correspondence, he
persuaded himself that the letter
called for no immediate answer.
After all, 1t was not to be expected
that a very young girl whom a man
had met only twice in his life could
hold his interest very long. when
absent However, he meant to write
her again; thought Of doing so
several times during the next twelve
months.
It was q year before another let
ter came from her. And, reading
IT, he was q little surprised to dis
cover how rapiIy immaturity can
mature under the shock Of cirC1m-
stances and exotic conditions which
tend toward forced growth.
Non Cher Ami:
was silly enough to hope you
might write to me. But I suppose
you have far more interesting and
important matters to occupy you.
Still, don't you sometimes remem-
Der the girl you drove home with
in a sleigh one winter night, ages
ago? Don't you sometimes think
of the girl who came creeping up
stairs, half dead, to your studio
door? And don't you sometimes
wonder what has become of her?
Why is It that a girl is always
more loyal to past memories than
a man ever is? Don't answer that
IL is because she has less to occupy
her than a man has. You have no
idea how busy / have been during
this long year in which you have
forgotten me.
Among other things I have been
busy growing. 1 am taller by two
inches than when last l saw you.
Please be Impressed by my Eve
feet eight inches.
Also, / am happy. The greatest
happiness in the world is to have
the opportunity to learn about that
same world.
Rue Describes Accomplishments.
am happy because / now have
that opportunity. During these
many months since ] wrote to you