The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-11

of fine literature Gradually Jean
seemed, to fall in line with his plans;
she began to soak in what he told her
of the master writers. Once or twice
she had quoted Shakespeare, more
than once or twice she had referred to
Bacon. Indeed she was an apt pupil.
AS the vacation season neared its
end and the changing of the leaves
reminded John that university was
soon to open, a great longing ca me
over him. 1t was a different long
ing than the old one. This time it
wasn't learning he longed for, but
love. Yes, in spite Of the "old mas
ters" Cupid had squeezed in his work.
1t was just week before John was
to go back. They were on the lake
probably for the last time. The
autumn moon was casting glowS over
the water as the canoe gIided to and
fro among the shadows. John dropped
the oars and, without causing as much
as a rock of the cano, found a place
by Jeans side. Just as If it belonged
there, his arm slipped about her waist
AS if In answer to his touch her head
nestled against his shoulder.
Dear little girl" he began, "I have
been wanting to say something to-
night, but I haven't had the courage"
She looked up at him and smiled.
"Our doubts are traitors, making us
lose what we often might win by fear
ing to attempt" she quoted.
JOiln iOOk0u at noE surprise,
why, that's Shakespeare-a quota
ton you never got from me eitheri"
he exclaimed. 5.--
Somehow that seemed to have
knocked the wind out of his sails, for
he did not finish what he had begun.
The next day Jean left for the east.
At the station John held her hand
until the time for the train to depart
arrived. He did not think it his right to
inquire where she was going; she had
not thought it necessary to tell him.
"Good-by, little girl, and don't forget
to study the classics" he told her
AS the train shot out of sight John
looked after it longingly. He had
sacrificed his only chance for happf-
ness at the altar of learning, for he
had restrained himself from proposing
to Jean because it would have meant
the end to his plans for a university
course. What fool he had been!
Right there he made resolve, and
telegram that was waiting him back
at the camp decided definitely for him.
come home, / need you." and twas
signed Father"
For two weeks John stayed at the
bedside of his father, without any
other thought but the sick man be-
fore him. At last the crisis was
reached and the danger passed. From
then on John devoted himself to the
farm-the great big stretch of Gods
country that called out to him for
cultivation and responded so nobIy to
his efforts. Jean was not forgotten.
1t was for her he was working. Some
day, somehow, he would find her again
and bring her to a home of great pros
perity, he told himself
The Christmas holidays brought |
Johns sister Flora home from col |
lege with a guest-her teacher of |
English and literature. John had |
displayed no interest in the expected |
arrival. but when Flora brought some |
one to him and he looked into two |
big, familiar eyes and saw a familiar, |
smiling, blushing face. he was almost |
swept off his feet with surprise.
.Jean!" he cried in surprise
"John!' she echoed his tone. ~;
Explanations did not come until |
after supper when they were alone in |
the library. She had found John with |
head buried in his hands.
Il was a fool" he condemned him |
self severely. II might have known |
that your education was far supesiar |
to mine. Why you were aruniyerfity |
graduate, while 1 was just a comshon |
public school teacher, L should never |
have left the farm"
'If you had not you would never !
have met me-" -f
And what good has it done me
just made me- miserable. Oh, my les
son has been a severe one; 1 have |
learned it we'll"
And I have learned a lesson, too |
"a wonderful lesson. the most won |
derful lesson in life"
There was something in her tone |
that brought his heart to a quicker |
beat. He looked up eagerly. What |
what do you mean?" he muttered |
weakly. |
'Oh, John, are you going to make |
me say it, say what you started to |
say that night on the lake-that night |
that Shakespeare had to spoil it?" |
She was almost in his arms: there was |
wonderful expression on her face. |
He gathered her up in one great hug. |
Right there he discovered how use !
less language is.
Copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)