Middletown transcript., 1920-10-16

Ing and plent1tude OF the labor Of his
hands and brain, was to him great
wonder and satisfaction. And 1t was
his misfortune that love, coming later
than it came to men who sought out
their entertainment, should come In
the delightful but unsuitable person OF
Hildegard vane. Hlldegard was born
and raised to an environment very
different from Stephens meadows.
Hildegard had known luxury and moth.
ing but luxury and its benefits. That
he should have found her at all was
incOnceivable. A relative Vane had
purchased as toy certain farm In
Stephens vicinity, and under this
vane's Midas touch the farm turned
out as pr0fitably as his various other
investments. So to the big rem0deled
country house on the hill. he invited
occasionally city friends for week
end visits, and his favorite niece
Hildegard was one Of the most fire.
Quent visitors. At length, after
winter season Of gayety, it was thought
best by the family physician that
Miss Hildegard 60 to her uncle's rural
estate for a prolonged and restful
stay; and so, riding upon her pony
one day, Hildegard had found Ste
phen's farmland, and cantering down
the tree-lined avenue, asked the favor
of a drink of cool water. Just at first,
the girl had taken Stephen for one Of
the usual helpers. When he responded
to her request in his deferential cour-
teous way, she became interested in
his personality, and questioned the
elder Vane, upon her return, concern
ing, ''the big good looking, farmer"
Her uncle laughed as he made reply,
Look out for your heart. Hilda. A
man like Stephen Strong might DO
more damage to girls heart, rough
clad, than any drawing-room idol"
Hilda smiled retrospectively, HE
looks IKE his name," she said, strong.
Tell me about him."
Registering interest already" her
uncle remarked. "Well. all l can tell
is from reports. He's Z college man
agriculture; capable, successful, hon
est. Welded to country life"
HE would be-" she unused, "or he
would not devote himself to IT,
The proper Introduction had come
about quite naturally. AS Hilda was
driving one evening with the elder
vane, Stephen approaching. stopped to
give greeting. After that the girl met
him frequently, and later accepted
various gravely offered invitations to
inspect the Strong farm, or to drive
through the hills at Stephens side.
Stephen had not realized that in this
proximity hopeless love might come
to him: friendship, pure and helpful.
he had thought Of as possible and
pleasant result. But love came. And
such love as only true and simple
heart like Stephens could know.
Now that she was going back to
the city, and autumn lay upon the
farm lands. Stephen told himself cru
ely that he might have won her love
If he had stopped to that selfishness.
There was no vanity in the thought,
only sorrow and a knowledge of the
sweetness Of her nature. But he was
allowing her to 60 without word.
without sign. Her lovely eyes had
been wistful at parting with an appeal
she herself but half recognized.
Stephen stubbornly ignored their ap-
peal. This was the only life for which
he was fitted, the only life In which
he might earn q measure Of success.
but to tie Hildegard Vane to isolation.
to take her from the court where she
charmed and f1tted-well. he was I'M
willing to accept the great gift Of her
remuneration. The uncle had limited
of a millionaire back there, whe wait
ed her favor. Hildegard should not
be tempted in an hour Of sympathetic
feeling for himself. from her millions
So. politely, coldly, Stephen babe good
bye. One comfort he gave himself.
the sending Of basket Of selected
fruits to her at her uncle's. a fare
well gift before her coming departure.
And now as he sat. he held her formal
"thank you" note in his big brown
hands. A square white card. gilt
edged and Of brief wording. Stephen
held the card gently. and turned It
slowly about, his very touch. caress.
Suddenly he noticed that he had neg
lected to read the reverse side of the
card. There was writing here. Hilda
woman-like. had added postscript.
Then his eyes racing on to the words.
he realized that this was no postscript
which she had written. but complete
note to her sister Elizabeth. evidently
in the city. Often the girl had spoken
to him regarding her married sister
Bess. her mother, and their aspira-
tons. Hilda laughed lightly. he re-
membered. as she bewailed her DIFF
ference to the women Of her family.
Dearest Bess." read Stephen. II
am coming back to you. don't worry.
The eclipse which you fear for me is
not to happen. But honestly Bess. I'd
rather live here forever and ever with
my man Of the soil. than do anything
else in the world. He is true Bess,
and Strong-that's his name ."
A blot ended the message.
THAN anything else in the world"
he murmured joyously.
"Oh! little girl Of mine. you are 60
ing to have your choice"
Enough Of Il.
you've got to get jack to hold up