The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-12-07
The Rolling
Stone
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
~~~~~~~ - - - = - - = :
By ELLA SAUNDERS



sons was corner grocer. When
Thompson got job as bank messen-
ger Dufiield was assistant cashier,
making good money and spending il.
All the pretty girls in the town
knew Duhield's pony trap, and, later,
Dutiields car. The road houses knew
Dutiield. They knew him too well,
thought Mary Ackroyd, who was a
steady, quiet girl with strange, lumi-
nous gray eyes. She did not encourage
Dailield.
When Dufiields father was involved
In the financial smash, and the bank
was reorganized, Duffield was quietly
put out of the door. Thompson be-
came cashier. He saved every penny,
dressed neatly, aud attended church
every Sunday.
Duflield went to see Mary the night
before he left for the metropolis.
Thompson was there and Dullield hung
ON till Thompson was forced to 20.
Then came Duhields chance.
II know I've been a fool, Mary he
said, "but give me chance. I'll make
good in New York. viii you waltz"
Mary softened a little toward the
good-looking prodigal, but she prom
ised nothing. Dunield went away.
Thompson became one Of the higher
officials Of the bank. He was a rising
man in the town. The evening came
when he asked Mary to be his wife.
Mary thought Of the boy in New York (;
no one had heard Of him for a lopg
time.
81 don't love you as I'd wish to,
jim" she answered. II don't know
my own mind. Give me ume.'
Time was OF the essence of the
ThomspOn scheme Of life. Mary could
have all the time she wanted. But she
only needed month, for then the
news came thai Dufield was back,
pennlless, shabby; he had come to see
his sick mother and incredible stories
were in circulation about him. He
drank he had thrown up or lost posi-.
tiOn after position.
He came to see Mary. 81 know I've
been waster" he said, but I've
never had my chance. I'm not cut out
for humdrum life. Wait while
Mary"
But he received scant encourage
ment. The atmosphere of the town had
been all about Mary ever since girl
hood Thompscn's praises were being
sung everywhere. DufIield went away,
and six months later Mary became
ThOmpson's bride.
For years no news was heard OF
Duflield Thompson was now presl-
dent Of the National bank. He had a
fine house In the suburbs. Mary found
out too late what life could mean. She
bore with the cold formality of it, her
husbands humdrum. calculated ways
and cold selhshness. but often against
her viii she found herself thinking Of
the good-looking prodigal who had gone
out of her life.
Thompson fell sick with a mysteri-
Gus allment. He was III three years,
helpless toward the end Mary nursed
his nssiduously. At the end Thomp.
son said:
Il know you never loNed me. It. was
| Dufiield."
Mary could not deny It. So Thomp-
son died And six months after the
funeral Dunield came back.
He came back mlddle-agcd man,
roughly dressed hardened. He went
| 10 Mary.
'You know I always loved YOU" he
said "If you had given me a
| chance"
"Oh, yOG were always talking about
chances, Harry. hut you never took
one when II came" answered Mary bit.
terly-the more bitterly because In her
heart she knew she loved him.
The town despl:ed Duflield more
than ever. He loafed Mt the hotel for
weeks No one knew where he got his
money from. He went to Mary again
I'm leaving Wilbury for good" he
said. 81 guess I'm not wanted here
Mary, II I make good will you-will
you-T
patheticl You came to me with that
question fifteen years ago"
"Yes-yes"
"Do you love me enough to come Ia
New York with me and help me build
up my life, dear? I'm not thinking OF
your money. I've got a position.
can support you"
Mary looked uncertainty into the
face of the man who had been the
handsome boy she'd known, and her
heart grew softer.
"Yes-yes, | will. Harry" she said
81 made a mistake. / should have
seen love is greater than anything else
I'll go with you, Harry-to the worlds
end. I'll share your life. And I'll tel
you something. Ny husband had Sc
cretly speculated; he left me nothing
was going to ask for position In
the bank"
Dufiied said: "Tve been president
Of one Of the largest New York banks
for twelve years past, Mary. dear.
wanted you-just for love. you under