The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-04-29

for all you did for me the other
night
Il did nothing. 1 am sorry you are
going away. 1t is very far?"
'Yes-down in the country"
The reply was evasive. He realized
that she did not mean him to know
her destination. he began stumblingly
to put his wish into words.
Il wanted to ask if-whether you
would mind if If you would let me
write you sometimes? l won't bother
you much, but if might write some
times"
There was a little silence. Mary
was looking away from him now, and
down into the heart of the fire.
When she spoke her voice was kind
but rather cold.
Il am afraid l must say no. 1t
isn't that THAT 1 don't want you
to. 1 am afraid you must think me
horribly unkind and ungrateful, but
oh. I don't think you must"
He rose from his chair and moved
across to where she was standing;
his young face looked very earnest.
Il wouldn't worry you. Ia write
very seldom; butt shall be so sorry
if-if we never meet again"
The color was fiuttering in her
cheeks; the hand half hidden in the
folds Of her black frock twitched A
little.
/ You don't understand she broke
out helplessly. It's not that I don't
I
want to leave all my old life behind
to start afresh. IL haven't been
so very happy here that 1 wish to be
reminded of 1t ALL" she added. with
a catch in her voice.
He took her hand-his own dar
ing astonished him. Such a small.
nervous hand it was. He felt all at
once as If he wanted to help her. to
be kind to her. to interpose his broad
young shoulders between her and the
worlds buffeting.
4 know it must seem awful pre-
sumption" he said >rather INSTEAD
/ lily. "But'-he stopped and rushed
on again-'I've never taken a fancy
/ to any one before-till l met YOU
and"
there were tears in her eyes, though
/ she smiled
why, I'm years older than you,
she said TREMENDOUSLY. You're only a
boyi It's very kind of you. Please
don't think I'm not grateful; but it's
quite, quite impossible"
| You mean that I'm not the sort of
fellow YOU could ever give a thought
| to-that-"
There was something so boyish in
his appeal, her heart softened to-
ward him.
It's not that. but" And now
she turned her face away 70 hide it's
| quivering.
II loved a man dearly once. and
can never care for anyone else.
He let her hand go-very gently.
! And ne is-dead?" he asked
Yes
There was a little silence. The fire
leaped and cracked in the CRATE.
casting wierd shadows over the bare
room. Then young Evans moved
back to the table without speaking,
and took up his hat.
'I beg your pardon for having
worried you he said; and his voice
sounded older and more manly
please forgive me-
/ He held out his hand
What is there to forgiven" she
! asked him smiling. You have been
so kind to me-"
1 He walked into the hall, and she
| followed him. The front door stood
wide; a little maid was helping a
man drag one of the big boxes out to
waiting van; it looked very heavy
and cumbersome.
Young Evans went forawrd.
Let me lend a hand" he said
cheerily.
The little maid stood aside, red
faced and breathless. Young Evans
raised one end of the big trunk in
his strong arms.
"Ready?" he asked
Together they carried it out into
the darkness and down to the van.
AS they showed it into the back OF
the cart, the light from a lamp fell
on Thea label attached to the handle.
Young Evans looked at IL, and his
heart leapt
| This would ten him her address