Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-12-02

| ing" because she knew he wished neI
| to: but after he had gone she stood
long in silence, and realizing as she
never had before that the man VINO
had gone carried with him soul tna.'
like gold, would wear brighter "itn
| the years.
When she awoke into a pain-niieo'
ether-scented world, the first glance
of her sick eyes fell upon the flowers
his gift. The sight held and checked
her sinking soul. She drifted away 70
sleep, anchored to love that Woui0
not let her go.
When again she awoke, the smiiing
nurse said to her: "Here Is q snort
note which I was told must be given
you Just as soon as possible. Would
you like 1t now?"
Her blurred eyes read: 'Dear Rose
Bee-Your luck has turned. took
the check to a bank; they put y
through for me; and the money came
backi Old Pruit must have known
his time was short, and thinking OF
your kindness to him in an unklnu
world, gave you all he had. he ioVeu
you. So do /. Elmer" And III
smaller envelope she found bills tnat
totaled $500, and note: "Ihe rest
you can have when you want II
kept it in the bank"
The noises of her tumDling woriu
died away into peace. 1t was the Ola
mans gift, and there was nothing 10
do but accept 1t. 1t meant weeks 10
the country, strength regained, new
desire to live.
She secured private room, speciai
care, and spent two weeks In the nos
pital. Just once, Elmer came to see
her. She found his quiet, whimsical
ways very restful and en1oyaDIe
and she asked him to come again. he
failed to appear, sending brfef note
that he could not get away from nis
work again; and then she rememDered
how pale and tired he looked. Inc
thought worried her, his failure TO
come annoyed her, and in both fail-
ure and annoyance she made new
discovery of how much the awkward,
big-hearted friend meant to her.
She went back to a village In the
hills, and there began to regain rap
idly the strength she needed for her
work. Only one thing marred the
happy days-the money he had sent
her was about gone-surgeon's
nurses, and the hospital bills had
mounted up more rapidly than she
thought, she reasoned; so she wrote
him.
Mr.. Stafford, in whose family she
was staying, happened to be going to
the city, and he volunteered to take
the note in to Elmer.
Her first surprise came In the eve
ming, when she was called into the
front room of the house and found Ell
mer waiting. She went to him glad
ly, instinctively, and then paused, the
thrill in her heart dying. She want
ed to put her arms around his neck
and tell him just how much he had
been to her, but the look on his face
arrested her. The same old hungry
look of love was in his eyes, but his
haggard face was lined and changed.
"Rose Bee, have come to make
confession" he said tensely. II
didn't-er-there is no money"
Observation-Disclosures do you mean~
'There isn't any more money" he re-
peated desperately. II knew the check
was no good; didn't have the cour-
from the firm-and-andIw worked night
and day to raise the rest and pay
back some / borrowed. l knew you
wouldn't take it-so l thought of this
scheme of making believe the check
was good. I-I-had to tell you.
couldn't get hold of any money to send
you. Do you-hate me for it?'
From establishment, amazement, to
tender understanding she wept as she
listened. At his last boyish question
she laid her face against his Shout
der and drew his arm about her.
"Hate you, my dear, great-hearted
boy" she said gently; why, let me
tell you what / have been learning
these weeks-I love you"
"Rose Beer
A hoarse cough broke the spell.
Mr.. Stafford stood in the doorway.
"Say, if you young folks will forgive
me, l want to tell you something. ]
talked with Horton, and he told me
the story of the check. I'm a curious
old cuss, and just for the fun of 1t,
cause 1 could understand how Pruit
loved this girl guess you do, too,
Horton-I had my bankers telephone
to that country bank the check was
on, while I was in the city; and just
got home and / had to give you the
news-that check just covers the bal
ance old Pruit had in his country
bankl Elmer should have tried to
cash it, but guess everything is all
right noww
Elmer looked at Rose Bee, and Rose
Bee looked at Elmer, in the immor-
tai speech of heart to heart; and
then, as she kissed him, she an
nounced, smiling through the mist in
her eyes:
n =