The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-01-02
b AL Y
sAOR { STORY
Esq the cos Roads.
.sy "a ~. pEAch.

- W.. y s-NNSts'
dbyfight. 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicate.)
~ fjlt fsJNCA AN read the note swift
"a refead II again and again
rowing sense Of dtsmay and
|11t ft was q brief note, written In
. WAGERING Eand, and read:
I|1sl edna AS the result Of an op.
1I|6iSs Il year ago Elmer's mind was
fgStcfed. Since then he has been
0|ffning I'd see you, nd now Is on his
felt that ! should tell you. Any
|f.a ah6ck might be harmful. With
|1<e BESS.
Ilie note dfifted on the floor from
numb mayors. and Edna stared with
|Itesihg ayes Though the tvilight Of
the room That note frop the far off
Ns6 England village tuned her world
hide down. She>wAs engaged to FL
'.f KerDeS there tnree years ago. His
||0kds had been haft in brave attempt
3 halt runaway horse dragging a
.okfiage In VEich a baby had been left
1l some careless parent.
Of two years his mind Lad been a
blank yet she had been true to him,
QntiiEit scored that never again would
h1NfA himself and now the wonde.
myers Of some surgeon had brought
him Life and understanding. and he,
N1itlhg TO be sure OF himself, was com
re- e claim her, while she, in the
peet year, dad about given her whole
AsAEt 70 4 young doctor Of the western
village. Philip Wenton.
Her mind travelled over and over
lle situation. Her thoughts had often
been with Elmer, for he had been
WORTH her love, and he was now, she
aeded IN thought Wis gay and cherry
how they came back to her!
nd he was coming to her because he
Qnght she was still true to him as
sneshad once said she would always be.
my great shock might be harmful
ne came with the high hopes, far
ACROSS the ccptinent, to meet a refusal
What would happen? Yet, she told
|'etseh she must not consider that; the
1uestion was did she love him?
With q low moan Of inner anguish,
she walked 10 the bed and lay down
MON III trying to find, hoping and pray
Ing that enc could find q way out. Her
thoughts went over ilie old and happy
lays With him IN the far away home
.QNilt his cherry voice sounded again,
md his big'tearted ways freshened in
her memory
eycn as she thought. her mind
pictured Philip. grave and kind. be-
loved "a the village. always, gentle,
lenaef aii6 patient What should she
ao2 Rlltt was right for her to do?
Elmer vas coming for--that warning
note rom Els sister told her that:
piitlip ID been patiently waiting, and
slla md been about to answer Eyes" to
t''e question hesitating on his lips.
The fsift silvery chimes OF the CLOCK
IN the hal had echoed through the
house the stfckes of 8 O'Clock before
slie' reached her decision: and calmly,
IKE one who had found peace through
q deHieicn touched by the immorta;
'e1nty Of acrifice. she arose-to pause
With freshly beating heart.
Size heard outside the even, meas
nted steps of Dir. Wenton, and nil
nient later the ring OF the bell. For
Wild moment she felt that she could
not lace him: then, setting her will,
She went quietly down the stairs To-
raeet him.
Hts hand held hers without releas-
ing as his grave. fne eyes looked
INTO her ACE with a glance that touch.
ID her with a cares that was both ad.
orasson and homage
After the familiar greetings, she
1rew him aside. and breathlessly she
old him What her decision was. He
did not stir; only the slow. tense
c'ehSliihs OF his left hand told her
his mental tress. When she had Nm
'sl'ed. II eemed to her that the room
was thr0bbing with the pulsations Of
herhsart
HIS voice was vibrant with effort as
he sad 81 yon love him, and / can UNI
1erstand cow YOU might, now that you
know ne is himself again, there is
nothing else for YOU to do. / wish
wells 4 wish you happiness, lots Of Il,
az the years 70,
iAtefsqStsi oAAu ot9uu6u 10 ING QOOf.
She stfded @ low oh. Philip!, upon
Hep0usei at the door, held out his
hpnd Is BIT huskily MY dear-my dear
Then; he turned away abruptly.
Hardly had he passed from view,
When np the walk came rapid figure:
afsa MeaiE with the strain OF Philips
pafting She fairly swayed with faint
ness IS she found herself greeting
Twas switt difficulty that she man
afea to Light the lamp in the room,
mile his cherry voice with its old
tine etriness went on:
Don't wonder you are SURPRISED,
Eapas Tor I wanted to surprise You
Neli.yon haven't changed land / have
not. guess. hut those two years, you
knoN queer to have two blanks in
lonE memory. However'-his face
shadoRed what counts now is the