Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-08-25
Brensrton's Human
Story


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Bremerson huddled up In his seat.
locked out Of the window Of the west
bound limited
The train slowed, drew into TIE IT,
ton. waited a few moments. ana tnen
puffed out again. A man canse into
the carriage and stopped at bfemer
tons side.
Excuse me, SIR. but are yoa iona
BrenerfonT" asked the other.
"weIlT Btemerton demanded very
CURLY.
Il was sure that l was on your
trick. knew I had res ynized you.
I want the inside story % the failure
Of the Cornucopla hank. I am repre-
sentative Of the Iowa Free-Soiler.
"You see. srF." the reporter confin-
ued, ''0f course we have all the de-
tails Of the failure. I want real hu-
man story"
IA real human storyr" repeated
Bremerton mechanically. and smiled q
little bitterly at the irony Of events
which had left his life. except for hia
widensd experience. just where II had
been when he had left FramingtOn. .
I.ennlless country beg. Is years before.
and his first sweetbeaTt-Lizzie Grayf
He had written-every day for .
month; after a year his letters ceased
After two years he had stopped think
Ing Of her. He had heard. not long
afierward. that she was married.
"Framingfon Change here for
Ties Moines!' shouted the conductor.
and BremertOn started mp hastily and
seized his suit case. He had wanted
to see the old town again.
Standing upon the platform he
found the reporter at his elbow. He
had entirely forgotten him.
I'm afraid there's n walt Of two
hours for The Des MOines train" he
said. ave just missed the connec-
ton. Now. Mr.. Bremerton, won't you
please help me with this storyf II
win mean a great deal to me, sir"
Bremerton was a man Of quick de-
cisions. He pulled out his watch.
Three O'clock" ne said, glancing ut
the dial. I'll be back at four, and
I'll give you that story"
He strOlled out OF the station. Elk
cept that a few new buildings had
sprung up 1t was astonishing how lit
tie the town had changed during the
Is years Of his absence. And at the
end OF the lane was the Grays' cot
tage. There was the rustic stile
where Lizzie and he had met those Is
years ago.
A woman was walking up the lane.
She had turned in from below. just
where che Gray cottage abutted on
the pike. She would see him when
she came out OF the bend few feet
from the style. Bremerton remem-
bered how his heart had hammered
that morning he had first kissed her.
II was here. and Lizzie had walked
just as she walked now. unconscious
that he wal Jed there. He had wanted
90 run away, as he wanted TO run
row. And she had looked up sudden
~ and seen him, just as she looked up
now.
And both had trembied. Just as both
were trembling now.
/ And he had kissed her, Just rs he
kissed her now.
She had hardly changed except that
her figure had grown mature and her
face more thoughtful, graver.
You are-not married, thenf" he
'stammered.
She looked at him coldly, the flush
Of shame slowly fading out Of her
cheeks.
How can you ask me that. JohnT'
she said.
But heard-I heard"
That's why you ceased to writer"
NO." he answered. 81 ceased to
write before I was told. But still, I
am sure that II I had not heard so I
should some day have come back"
ITO redeem your pledge. Johnf
Well. release you from IL. SO let
your conscience rest My school occu-
pies all my life and Is my whole inter
est. While yOu-yOu are. or were. q
very busy man and a very famous
one"
"Then you have heard1" he asked.
'Of course I've heard Of you. John
Bremerton," she answered. 1--WE
have all followed your career with the
greatest interest" she continued, col
Oring family. You know we are all
pToud Of you In Framington."
'Oa. II only l had never gonei'' he
cried. Lizzie, I've come back to stay
wish you"
with met" abe repeated. with
me. JohnT"
II want you." he cried. Il have
never known what happiness meant
since / went away. win you be my
wifeY"
''You-you mean that. JOhnT' she
stammered.
He drew her into his arms. and she
lay there at last. happily.
Tell me you love me-" he whls-
pered.
II have always loved you. John"
she answered back. "And somehow
always knew that you would come.
OhT
She disengaged herself hastily,
looking up the lane In terror, and,
following her glance. Bremerton per
ceiyed the reporter approaching them.
Il was just taking q walk" he be-
gan. Il thought I need not sit In that
station TIL four. I didn't know"
That's all right, son." answered
Bremerton. Never mind that ap-
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