The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-12-31

and was making life radiant for 9TH
ers, despite his sore affliction.
Telford followed n quick impulse.
He returned to his desk and wrote
out a check for one hundred dollars.
Then he stepped beside his industri-
Gus employee.
snake happy New Years for
your folks at home, Graham" he said
with assumed llghtness of tone. "And
by the way, well close up for the
week. I think I'll take little run to
--to-down into the country"
Bruce Telford left the city with a
well-stored suitcase. The next after
noon saw him ringing the doorbell of
the old mansion where he had spent
so many happy hours. The servant
recognized him with start and
showed him into the parlor.
There were old familiar aspects to
the room, and there In the alcove was
the special corner always given to
dead Mr. Burton. The caller even
recognized his desk, his armchair, his
favorite books. 1t looked as though
this was q spot sacred to the memory
of the beloved parent, preserved as Of
old and not disturbed. Involuntarily
Telford took up one of the volumes.
He instantly recognized classical
author from whom Mr.. Burton had
frequently quoted. Almost uncon-
sciously he turned over the leaves.
He smiled In sad retrospect as he
noted line that had been favorite
with the dead man, and, following the
context, turned over new leaf
No marvel that he started! That
volume had probably remained I'M
opened for years. There between the
pages lay three, letters. THEY were
yellow and faded with time. Each
one bore an uncanceled stamp. Un-
doubtedly given to Mr.. Burton to mail,
in his Observation-Disclosures he had
placed them temporarily in the book
and they had never been mailed.
"Mr. Bruce Telford'-one was ad-
dressed to himself. And in Marcia's
handwriting! His heart began to beat
wildly. Could it be--he was inter-
rupted. He knew not why, but with
almost eager haste he closed the book,
thrusting the letter into his pocket.
Marcia entered the room.
They became almost jolly over the
package Of presents he had brought
for the little ones. They spoke of
old friends, Of the New Years eve
only few hours distant Would he
stay to tea and later join her sister
and her husband in skating party?
Bruce Telford sat in strange glow
as later Marcia left him to direct
preparations for tea. His hand stole
to the letter in his pocket. What
might it not contain-her reply to his
letter, so cruelty withered through
three long, bitter years
mo-" he said, checking an Impulse
urged by a rare heart of hope-"later."
It was like dream, the succeeding
hour, as he was greeted by the men,
bers Of the family, made to feel al
home seated at the table with Marcia
flushed, radiant, kindly as always and
more foyeiy tnun ever.
New Years eve-how royalty the
old church bells rang A slide across
the safe bound ice Of the river, deli.
ciOus moment as, all equipped, Mar
cias hand rested in his and they
glided over the smooth, shining sur.
face as of yOre.
Half a mile from the others, in Il
swift sweep down the river, she stun
bled and he caught her in his arms
and insisted on her resting on an old
log. He seemed In some dream of
deliriOus delight, a magic force i'm
PEELED him to speak at last.
Miss Burton" he began.
"Sure!v we are old friends, Bruce
she interrupted, with reproachful
usefulness.
eyes, Marcia" he corrected himself.
II have letter I found In book at
your home. Was it an answer to my
own in that long agoT and the words
that explained all came from his lips
In impetuOus rapidity. "See, have
not opened it." he added.
He rendered it to her. Her face
had grown colorless, but only from
the startling discovery of fine DELAYED