The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-08-28

- WhssSeA ~ U1AO0 W. ~ M14911 -
A purring sound along the roa1
made her look up the slope and -
an automobile approaching the bridge
nnd the village. In the car was MclS
vile Clark, on his way to Jensou City
10 miles distant. to deliver q proposal
Of marriage to Julia Armstrong.
daughter Of Benjamin Armstrong. the
wealthy importer. who lived in the
same city where Melville had made
good In the financial world.
Melville had decided to marry Julia.
not because Of love but because, she
would 1T dcwry that would increase
his little fortune at least threefoId. A
taste of riches had made him hungry
for more, and he had set. out delib-l
crateIy to win Julia for his bride. She
appeared responsive, and he could sec
that her parents did not object.
When Julia went awny for week
as the guest Of honor at house party
at Jenson City and invited Melville to
Join her Sunday he had decided II was
the opportune time to make his pro-
posal. He arose Sunday morning
when the watch under his pillow told
him II was eight o'clock. Picking up
timetable he made sure that the
train for Jenson City left at $50. and
then he smiled when he saw that one
for Pembrook went exactly an hour
later.
The smile was occasioned BY the
realization that his old home town was
on the Pembrook line. and because he
had never gone back for visit. Fran
ces Hayden did not enter his thoughts:
they were busy with more important
matters.
When Melville arrived ut the station
he had hve minutes. according to his
watch. and q train was standing on
the track. II was q branch station.
and he did not have to show q ticket
ut the gate. II was only after he had
been riding half an hour that he dis
covered he was on the wrong train.
That was when the conductor came T.
take up his ticket.
"Your train left an hour before this
one" said the oficial. "You must have
forgotten to set your watch ahead
Shall let you on At the next stationr
Can you bea, thatf" Melville q.
claimed In vexation. II forgot this
was the day the dayiight-sav Wing law
went into effect" He Thought swiftly.
"l'll get on at Glendale" he told the
conductor. II can get nm automobile
TO take me to Jenson City. It's 10
mile trip"
A. the car approached the little
bridge and Melville discerned the girl
standing there a strange feeling came
over him. The memory Of that day
two years ago flashed across his mind.
and II made him smile with mingled
sadness and pleasure.
"S,op q minute" he ordered ths
driver. stop right on the bridge.
used to live here end want .
I; glance things over"
The machine, paused on the hriAge
and MelvnIe's eyes met those' of Fran
ces. There was silencs. broksn ooly|
by the chugging II the motor. 4 No.
ment later Melville was out Of the ear
and claspIng Frances In his arms.
He stood OF and looked at her.
Yes. she was the same girl. There wos
the reddish hair. the sincere. whole,
some blue eyes, and the dashing. Sas-
cinsting teeth.
~By 0eorssi You look good. Frnn.
u" he said. and he meaat Il. In TIE
two years he had been ~eansd from
the Influence Of that smile and theoo
eyesS but now he was back 10 their
power again.
"You mean little sistsrr = she sala
somewhat mischievouaiy.
"Hans the little sistsri" hs ejacu,
lated. Lets 60 down to the little
nook on the hank Of the river and tals
it over" Then to the chauffeur:
"Aovs ahead and wait beside ~
road. III b. back seon."
The driver did - directed. The ~
was rather hot. and hs pulled bic eap
over his face. The cir made NJ
drowsy and he curlsd up On the seot.
In few minutes hs was sIseplng.
A hour later the chauffeur V0a
awakened By . poke u the ria
"How much do eve your' sa1ro1
Melville. "I'vs decided not % q q
to Jsnson City. I'm going q stay
I"