Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-05-26
Rankin Proves
His Fidelity
By MARVIN ST. JOHNS


IF you can love me without seeing
me or hearing from me for a whole
year, then will marry you," she had
said; and the year had passed and
Rankin still loved her.
He was standing by the same Ad-
irondncks lake where they had met
twelve months before. 1t was cool
day in July; the wind was Swimming
over the surface of the water, the
pines rustled, loon was crying far
away. Everything in nature had con-
tributed to make that day one for
perfect remembrance. And II was the
same today as 1t had been.
She was secretary Of the president of
a corporation, Rankin had learned,
and she was recovering from serious
Illness.
Those days of meetingi That de-
lirlous happiness Of love confessed
This was no filtration. They were
made for each other. But she would
not tell him her name nor let him
come to her hotel
81 have very good reason" she
answered when he protested. "You
must not try to find out anything
more about me now. But IL you can
love me for whole year, then I will
marry you"
"And never know who you aref"
he cried
"Oh, I'm nobody mysterious, just
plain workaday woman" she answered,
smiling
"And when the year has passed."
81 shall, be here next year. shall
wait for you here-let me see. today
is July 2S. A year from today"
And all his pleas were unavaillng
"If you could love mel mean me,
apart from these external things" she
sighed
81 adore you" insisted Rankin. That
was on their last day together. He
gathered her into his arms and, kiss
ing her, knew that his love was truly
returned.
A trout leaped In the lake among
the lily pads, and Rankin drew a
lenBln OF line lTOm Ills reel
81 believe I'll have cast for that
fellow" he said, and raised his rod
and threw It forward. The line caught
behind him. Rankin heard stihed
cry and turned. Upon the barbed fly
was the girls hat, and under 1t a
complete toupee Of hair.
Before he could stir, the girl, with
a low cry, pressed her hands to her
head and darted into the underground.
He understood now what she meant
by her disparagement of his praises,
and the remembrance, the rising pity,
made his love truer and more intense
thnn before. During the year that
followed, throughout the fall and the
long, cold winter months he dreamed
perpetually Of n lakes studded with
sunshine and a girl who stood beside
him on its brink. He stood upon the
wooded point of the same lake year
later and waited. And then--she stood
before him.
"YOG;" ne exclaimed, catching her
by the hands and looking at her with
utter Incredulity.
"You" she answered, and the JOY
In her face reflected that upon his
own. "Oh, never dreamed that you
would come"
"Then why did you GOMEZ" asked
Rankin.
because had pledged my word"
abe answered.
81 have come back to prove that II
was no Jest" Rankin answered.
mo" she cried, and her cheeks
grew scarlet. "You can't want to
marry me after--after that" she
whispered.
'But ! do want you" he answered,
taking her by the hands. II you had
never told me, but married me. and
had discovered It afterward, should
have been just as glad"
She faced him squarely, looking full
into his eyes. Suppose l put you
to the test she said. Dare you
look upon me nOw-as | am--and
then say that you wish to marry mef"
~ am ready" Rankin answered
quietly.
For answer she unplnned her hat
and placed It on the ground. Then
she shook out her hair, and swept
It back carelessly and looked taunt-
ingly at him.
"Tnke It," she said, and held out the
gltterlng strands. Rankin stood
watching her, his arms folded; II was
indeed the supreme test Of mans
love. to see his sweetheart disfgured,
shorn, her beauty suddenly become
grotesque.
Suddenly, with an impetuous motion
she flung her arms round him
30 my dear, believe In you now"
she cried "Listenl told you had
been very III with typhoid last sum
mcr. They cut my hair when was
unconscious. Then I came up here
10 get well and-and / wore wig. |
And when you discovered my secret |
thought / would die Of modification.
That. too, was why I wouldn't tell |
you anything then But now, my dear, |
I don't have to wear toupee, because |
my hair Is mlne-do you understand |
I can't cause you any humiliation or
regrets because"
Because love you" answered
Rankin; and the looms distant laugh
seemed less ironical than Of usual.