The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-21
CHAPTER VI.

- 4hc OdIne ana The Candle.
 Throughout most of the way home. John Bolts thoughts were in a turrn- oil He was conscious only of a great depression. No definite thoughts res .stered.
 But as he neared the little shack on the mountainside, he became calmer.
 That he had erred in his eagerness was plain. He had startled her, frightened her. She had hardly come to realize that he existed when she found herself in his arms.
 He had played the fool, through his his ignorance of women.
 He might have known that she would not understand his haste, He had heard often enough that women wanted wooing.
 She must think him a brute. She must regard him with horror and Ioathing-and he had brought it mon himself!,
 In this wise. he continued for some time, abasing himself and absolying her.
 She had merely been natural and sweet and friendly. And he had taken advantage.
 But when he reached the little hut at last, and kicked the door to be- hind him and began to pace the floor. he grew weary of finding fault with himself and anxious to repair the mischief he had made
 Since she would not receive him in person and listen to his explanations. note was obviously the next best thing.
 Accordingly. he seated himself at the center table and drew paper and ink toward him. The paper was not ha He had only the stiff white paper upon which he was accustomed to make reports But he did not ston to bother about that
 Dipping the pen in ink, he began to write in clear. 1egible scrawl-an excellent business hand:
 tDear Mrs. Waring:
 must explain to you my mad ness of this evening before I attempt to turn in- I can't let you think of me with anger. I behaved like a responsible for that You went 10 my head. I was simply powerless to control the feeling that you awoke in me. That is the plain truth.
 ITO understand the whole thing. you must know that what I told you this morning was absolutely rrue I have never wasted moments thought on any woman-untM today. l have always felt that the men who chased around after women were weddings and fools. I used to go to the local dances and stand in the doorway laughing at the men who danced.
 ''I interested myself in nothing but my work. That is how it happened that l worked up to the position of assistant manager at the age or twenty-isx- Until you came here and talked to me today I thought that accomplished good deal in winning such a responsible tos.tion here at the mines, but I see now that I was wrong about a good many things
 Il have always thought thak the biggest thing on earth was work. Now l know that it isn't. It's love. It's finding the woman and winning her. It's living and loving!
 Today is going to make a big diff ference in my life, Mrs Waring It's golng to be the beginning of things LOT me. Because of today I'm going to go back East and seek my fortune there. And because of today I'm going to concentrate all my energies upon winning you!
 If could write a love letter, this would be one. I would tell you just e@poul yOu. ouI QSS- less for me to try my hand at that. I'd like to say all the finest things that any one could say about any woman!
 It's been a revelation to me to see you and to hear you talk. I never Knew before that there were such women as you on earth. And now that do know, nothing shall prevent my dolng my utmost to win you for mine.
 There's nothing in my devotion, 1Mrs. Warlng, that could offend you. Ana II you misunderstanding this forgive me for tonfght's behavior, I VIII oo everything I can in future to make myself more worthy of you and to win your regard.
 Very sincerely yours.
 John Bolt"
 HaVlng finished the letter, he read It over carefully and disapproved of II heartily It fell far short of the sor. or letter he would have liked to "file. But he knew that it was as good as any he was likely to turn out. so he sealed it. addressed the en- Veiope and summoned Joe
 servant had been asleep Tor llous' put he rose instantly at his II master bidding and prepared to de- aiNer the letter of apology.
 1ohn Bolt watched him start off uown the mountain trail and lighting . HIS pipe, threw himself into chair nS the nre to await his return. And though Joe was on the road a long .ihe. Bolt did not once close his eyes in sleep
 ine Pattersons, Miss Sears, and young 1eHrey were still at their card same when Joe arrived. Both Sears aio Mrs. Waring had made their ex- Ioses ana had retired. so that 1t was ; eilrey who went to the steps of the