Catoctin clarion., 1921-08-11
Bremerton's Human
Story
By FREDERICK CLARKE.
q, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)

looked out of the window of the West
bound Limited.
The train slowed, drew into the sta
ton, waited few moments, and then
puffed out again. A man came into
the carriage and stopped at Bremen
tons side.
Excuse me, sir, but are you John
Bremerton?" asked the other.
"Well?" Bremerton demanded very
curtly.
Il was sure that l was on your
track. | knew | had recognized you.
l want the inside story of the failure
of the Cornucopia bank. am a repre-
sentative of the Iowa Free-Soiler.
you see, SIR" the reporter contin-
ued, "of course we have all the de-
tails of the failure. l want real hui
man story"
"A real human story" repeated
Bremerton mechanically, and smiled
little bitterly at the irony of events
which had left his life, except for his
widened experience, just where 1t had
been when he had left Framington, a
penniless country hoy, Is years before.
And his first sweetlleart-I.iZZie Gray!
He had written-every day for a
month; after a year his letters ceased.
After two years he had stopped think
ing of her. He had heard. not long
afterward, that she was married.
"Framngton Change here for
Des Mones!" shouted the conductor.
and BremertoD started up 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. lie
had entirely forgotten him.
I'm afraid there's wait of two
hours for the Des Mones train,' he
said. I'VE just missed the connec-
ton. Now, Mr.. Bremerton, won't you
please help me with this story? 1t
will 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 at
the dial. I'll be back at four, and
I'll give you that story"
He strolled out of the station. EX-
cept that a few new buildings had
sprung up it was astonishing how lit
tie the town had changed during the
IL 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 10
years ago.
A woman was walking up the lane.
where the 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.
1t was here, and Lizzie had walked
Just as she walked now, unconscious
that he waited there. He had wanted
to run away, as he wanted to run
now. And she had looked up sudden
ly and seen him, just as she looked up
now
And both had trembed, just as both
were trembling now.
And he had kissed her, just as 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, then" he
stammered. -
She looked at him coldly, the flush
of shame slowly fading out of her
cheeks.
How can you ask me that, John?"
she said.
but heard-I heard"
THAT'S why you ceased to write"
NO" he answered. II ceased to
write before l was told. But still,
am sure that if / had not heard so
should some day have come back"
ITO redeem your pledge, John?
Well, l release you from it. So let
your conscience rest. My school occu-
pies all my life and Is my whole inter
est. While you-you are, or were,
very busy man and very famous
one"
"Then you have heard?" 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
proud of you in Framington."
"Oh, if only had never gone!" he
cried. Lizzie, I've come back to stay
with YOU"
with me7" she repeated. with
me, JohnT"
~ want you," he cried. Il have
never known what happiness meant
since l went away. Will you be my
wifeY"
"You-you mean that, John?" she
stammered.
He drew her into his arms, and she
lay there at last, happily.
"Ten me you love me-" he whis-
pered.
II have always loved you, John,"
she answered back "And somehow l
always knew that you would come.
Obi"
She disengaged herself hastily,
looking up the lane in terror, and,
following her glance, Bremerton per
ceived the reporter approaching them.
II was just taking walk" he be-
gan. 81 thought need not sit In that
station till four. I didn't know"
That's all right, son." answered
Bremerton. "Never mind that ap,
pointment, but sit down on that stile.