Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1920-01-02

the crash came Madge was "olmos,
engaged to-"
In those days OF many suitots It was
Bob as much as any one to whom she
had given her young heart. And In
the days that had followed, who knows
how completely that heart had been
devoted to his memory?
mo-" said Bob deliberately, 81 have
no friends there" He paused, look
Ing backward as If interested in some
one occupying a seat behind them
across the aisle.
Presently he excused himself. my
aunt-that little old lady in black Is
with me-" he said. 81 will just tell
her that ] have met you, and then
may | come and sit here beside you
for at least part Of the trip"
L Until he came Madgc's heart bear
so fast and her poor little tired brain
was in, such whirl that she could
not explain just what she would say
in the event that he asked her point
blank where she was going; if, for in
stance, he suggested that he accom-
pany her to her destination in Nal
vern.
He came back and they talked about
the dreary weather, then Of Thanks
giving. II suppose" vcnturcd Madge,
for her curiosity was aroused, that
you are going to Malvern for the holt
daysT She was sure now that Bob
was going to see possible tiancee.
She couldn't help'being jealous.
IL may stay over Thanksgiving" he
said drearily. 'If they let me-"
There was rather sorry attemN
to talk about things in general and
then the conversation got back to the
subject of Malvern. 1t was only fif-
teen minutes away and each was
eager to find why the other was bound
there, though each was as eager not t.
tell.
1t was Bob who began. II am really
sorry for what l am dOlng--ashamed
| would be il there We're any way out
of II. Dear old Aunt Sally. brought me
up. A mother could not have been
kinder to me. have wanted to make
home for her-I hope to some day.
But she is old and she cannot be
left alone. Now l have chance TO
do really big things In the West-thnt
is. big for me. After year I've been
promised ten thousand year. But i
can't take Aunt Sally with me. She
would be without friends. I want to
'nukes good FIRST I've tried to repay
her just little for all she did for me
that Is the reason why never asked
asked the one woman in the world
to be my wife. Because felt that so
long as Aunt Sally lived l wanted 70
live with her and did not feel free to
ask her" BObs eyes guZcd past
Nudge as If they were really afraid to
rest on her.
But. Bob cried MadGe as she
realized what he had been saying
and then their eyes met. why are
you taking her TO Malvern? Are you
taking her to st. Anne's?"
U.s. W pNs hilllc ~ uOtS
sound pretty shabby to let her go to
an old ladies' hOme--but 1t Is Just for
the year. l know she will be treated
well there and she would not consent
TO my giving up this chance in the
West just to stay East with her. Then
I'll get little home and can affOr;
companion for her. But until then"
They were very near to Malvern.
Suddenly 1t seemed to Madge as If the
whole world of love and life were slip
ping through her fingers. She felt
holiness of speech that was not at all
usual with Madge; besides, hadn't he
limited that she was the only woman7
Bob, If you had married and IL
yOur-yOur wife happened to be very
fond of old ladies-very tGctful and
perfectly willing to be considerable
mightn't you have been willing to take
the wife and Aunt Sally out West
with you right away? The wife would
be willing to take care of the dear old
aunt, and having them both with you
might help you to win out. That Is,
providing the one woman In the world
were still willing to marry YOU. even
though you nearfy broke her heart be-
cause you didn't tell her that you loved
her before" ....
"You dlGn't--yOu wouldn't -eallyf
stammered Fob.
ayes. did. Bob" announced
Madge.
'But could you share your home
with Aunt Sally?"
"I've a reputation FOR being very.
very fond of old LADIES' know I'd
love Aunt Sally. could manage
beautifully with one old lady" and
there was an emphasis ON the one, the
reason for which Bob lid not under
stand.
There was just time enough before
they reached Malvern for Madge to
explain.
Then why should my Of MS go to
st. Anues?" asked Aunt Sally, when