Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-09-24
THE REVERSE SlDEs
BY JACK LAYTON.

stephen sat with broOding eyes look
Ing over his meadows. To Stephen.
the spreading farmland which he in
herited was the most beautiful thing
In the world. In Ii he found his life
work and his JOY. To watch the grow
ing and plentitude of the labor of his
hands and brain, was to him a grent
wonder and satisfaction. And 1, was
his misfortune that love, coming later
than 1t came to men who sought out
their entertainment should come In
the delightful but unsuitable person Of
Hlldegard Vane. Hildegard was born
ana raised to an environment very
different from Stephens meadows
Hildegard had known luxury and moth.
ing but luxury and it's benefits. That
he should have found her at all was
inconceivable. A relative Vane had
purchased as toy a certain farm in
stephens vicinity, and under this
Nane's Midas touch the farm turned
out as probably as his various other
investments. SO to the big remodeled
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 a
winter season of gayety, it was thought
best by the family physician that
Miss Hildegard go to her uncles rural
estate for 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 q 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
MS personality, and questioned the
elder Fane, upon her return, concern
ing, the big good looking, farmer"
Her uncle laughed as he made reply,
Look out for your heart, Hida. A
man like stephen Strong might do
more damage to girls heart, rough
clad, than any d wing-room idol"
Hilda smiled retrospectively, "He
looks like his NAME" she said, "strong.
Tell me about him"
Registering interest already" her
uncle remarked. "WelI, all l can tell
is from reports. He's a college man
agriculture; capable, successful, hon
est. Welded to country life"
HE would be-" she unused, cor he
would not devote himself to It,"
The proper introduction had come
about quite naturally. AS HiIda 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 a hopeless love might come
to him; friendship, pure and helpful,
he had thought of as q 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 go without a word
without 81 sign. Her lovely eyes had
been wistfuf at parting with an appeal
h,Yk haJ
Stephen stubbornly ignored their APP
peal. This was the only life for which
he was fitted, the only life in which |
he might earn a measure of success, |
but to tie Hfldegard Vane to isolation, |
to take her from the court where she |
charmed and fftted-well. he was I'M |
willing to accept the great gift of her |
remuneration. The uncle had limited |
of millionaire back there, who wait |
ed her favor. Hildegard should not |
be tempted In an hour of sympathetic |
feeling for himself, from her millions. |
So, politely, coldfy, Stephen babe good
bye. One comfort he gave himself,
the sending of a basket of selected |
fruits to her art her uncle's. a fare
we'll gift before her coming departure. |
And now as he sat, he held her formal
thank you" Hote 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, a caress.
he noticed that he had neg
lected to read the reverse side of the |
card. There was writing here. Hilda
woman-like, had added a postscript. |
Then his eyes racing on to the words, |
he realized that this was no postscript |
which she had written, but a 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. 81
am coming back to you, don't worry.
III. e.. te