The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-04-16
Willing
to Wait
for Him
BIZ CORONA REMINGTON

Young VIII Powers put his hand out
toward the girl sitting beside him,
then resolutely withdrew 1t and
TANNED It into his pocket. He had no
right to show Ann st. John how he
felt because he could not marry her;
yet she was SO near and so sweet and
so-touchable. There was something
exquisitely dainty and childlike about
the soft f1imsy little dress, the wide
open blue eyes, the quick movements.
His hand crept out Of his pocket
again and he rose abruptly.
I'LL have to 60, Ann" he said.
$500 soon? 1t isn't late yet"
There was genuine disappointment in
her voice, and his heart jumped; she
did love him, and he could win her
Ii only he had the chance.
II only he had the chanceF
II the dead could come back to life,
II Wills could be broken, If he had
had another kind Of father. H-if-
fl AS he walked along the quiet
street he went over all the details in
his mind again. Why had his father
willed away everything they had ex-
cept the home and q mere pittance-
not nearly enough to support himself
and his mother? Charity begins at
home, and 1t did seem that, having
such an altruistic soul, he could have
remembered his own people first. II
he had even left him a little capital
to get start, but as 1t was, it would
be years before he would be anything
but a salaried man-with not very
big salary at that. 1t would be I'M
possible to keep up another on his In
come, not even in the very skimpiest
way. And Ann deserved the best. 1t
was not her fault, bless her dear little
heart.
He felt bitter, bitter toward his
mother for being so dependent; BIT
ter toward his father for leaving him
In such a position. If he only knew
what was best to do. Was he doing
right to go taking up AIMS time and
attention since he could not marry
her? Should he drop her or should he
tell her the whole thing? No, that
would be throwing himself upon her
mercy. He would keep away from
her; but how easy to say it and how
hard to do 1t! How hard indeed
"Hello. young man, wherere you
going? Better drop In and have a
smoke with me-"
at would be NICE" Powers an
swered absently.
"All right; this is where 1 live,
you know. You were trying to stride
on by, weren't your What's the mat
ter with you tonight? You must be
in lover
II am; but what's the user asked
Powers, bitterly.
Lets sit here on the steps and
talk about it. You know I was your
fathers best friend. VIII, and I hope
you wouldn't hesitate to call on me
II you needed hep"
THANK you, Judge Thomas, that
means a great deal to me-"
"Now, we're ready. Tell US about
it." said the judge as he lighted a
cigar.
After Powers had finished his story
the Judge pulled a few moments In
silence, then:
How old are your
twenty-five next month"
"And you're certain she's the right
girl2"
"She's the only girl for me-"
"And you'd rather wait for her than
to marry someone elser
II wouldn't marry anyone else; but
what's that to do with itf' he asked
a little impatiently.
Nothing, only thought maybe Ann |
felt the same way. If she loves you
she'd probably like to know how you
feel about her."
"You wouldn't suggest my proposing
TO her when it'll be years before / can |
save enough to start out"
"Why, no. If she's the right kind,
she'll wait"
But what right have to ask herr"
eff she loves you she'll be happier
waiting for you than trying to forget
Tou. Wouldn't you be? Now you run
long and take my advice, and every
hing'll turn out all right"
The next day, as he hurried through
lis work, Powers was happier than he
lad been for weeks. Rushing home,
fterward he dressed and dined before
.oing to learn his fate, and arriving
lalf an hour early he ran up the steps
wo at a time.
ooh, I'm so glad you're here" he
aid as he saw Ann sitting in the
orch swing, "because-well, oh, be-
ause l couldn't wait another second
D know whether you cared for me.
Ieaven only knows when we can
harry, but If you're willing to wait,
nm dear, If you only could"
I'D rather wait for you forever,
vii, than to marry anyone else" she
Did him.
Its going to be hard and long,
lough," he told her. "You know I
ave my mother to support. 1 don't
,e why father left us almost penni-
49,"
But it's made q man of you, Will.