The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-03-25

ui'"t' ,he 'ottaSc. III would De enough
to ride back to the city with her silly
daughter. Mr.. Martin had stern
though kindly words for his girl, and
would not consent to remain to dinner.
when John would be home. Mary
bade him an atfectionate goodbye.
Two silent parents returned to their
mansion alrne. and their ayes were
blurred.
M;'ry'S days were keenly and frankly
lived. On Sundays John wrote verses.
She remembered the night she had
gone to him. and laughed a little at
that early idea of love. which had
seemed so complete. Now she knew
it had been but Il guess at the wide
sweeping truth. Summer warmth
raced full through her body. Her
arms grew round. and she breathed
more deeply. The cosnlic life and
beauty that were herself, Mary Lev
ington. bloSsomel now.
In September. when the yellow
~graSShopperS danced Zigzag across the
scorchel grass. and the sun ripened
the apples in the orchard around
Dowagiac. Mary began to breathe for
two. An overwhelming devotion pos
seSscd John Lcving1on-his sacrament.
The flood of his desire seemed TO have
reached the sea. and he lost himself
in alteration. He asked for nothing.
trying only to serve. TO smooth the
way for his beloved and the coming
Of her child.
Sometimes she would say f. him:
John, l almost believe I feel his pres
ence. our MISUNDERSTANDING SO
friendly and brave. His personality"
And John would nod quickly, timid-
~, without speaking, for the miracle
was beyond his understanding, and the
path of the gentle newcomer was not
all clear to him. 4 thousand lovely
gifts he had in mind for Mary and
her guest, but he could not buy them.
There was the lcwly but important
matter Of coal to burn. first to be pur-
chased. His department in the fac
tory had filled the warehouses, and
the men were laid off. There were
many cold sitting-rooms in Dowagiac,
many chill stoves; and in February
John was no better provided than his
comrades. The grocer had Il way of
asking for payment. courteous Sab
b%ath-hound that he was. until he got
it; but his wagon stopped no more in
front Of the Lc' ington's. John cut
down a shade-trae for fuel to keen
Mary warm, and the neigllbors we're
good to her until he got out of Jail,
where he went because unable to nav
the fine. Then he approached her
parents.
The new butler remembered instruc-
tons and carried them out.
"Tlere is no one to receive YOU.
sir"
II am ont of work. and my wife
needs some things. thought, per.
haps-"
you have been in Jail. sir"
"Yes.' said John. evil you let me
have a worl with Mrs. Martin?"
mo. sir"
AuI NY VIE Is III ueeu OF so MANY
things and a baby is coming. I'm not
asking for myself. If you won't let
me come in, you'll tell Mrs. Martin
for meg"
\ buZZer sounded within the house.
"Good-day. sir" The butler had
turned to answer the summons.
You'll take the messenger" cried
John. The door clicked shut in his
face.
Before taking the train for Dowo.
giac. he sent q short letter to Marv's
father.
In the little stove town again. he
trod through the fresh snow. The
chimney Of his cottage WAS crested
white. and no smoke was there. Mary
was In her room. She had gone to
bed to keep warm. Clustered about
her. wrapped In sliawls. were the
neighhOr women. huskily cOm,niserat.
Ing. They turned accusing eyes upon
John as he entered. Somehow t,,ay