Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1924-08-29
Grateful for the
Handout
BY DUFoRD PENNE

IAAHN Ahh nAbNhs AAAf
lounglng, addressed, haggard figure
on the park bench could be no other
than Edwin, whom she had seen the
last time three years before. The odd
little CULVER that her first sight OF him
used to give her went over her.
Edwin, is 1t" she asked hesitat
lngly.
Hello, Mary. It's been many
moons since l saw you last, and you
suggested 1t be the last time" he an
swered a little bitterly.
His words stirred old memories
"Oh, Edwin, those-won't you come
with me to lunch7 II do want to
chat with you again." she said hur
riedly feeling within her some old
memories stir.
He agreed readily, and her quick
mind told her that be was really
hungry.
"i'll go, but you must pay the check.
TN clean broke" he said bluntly,
Joining her.
He was hardly respectable fig
ure beside her neat and attractive
self. and many eyes were turned to
them as they went on But Mary did
not care; some Of the old happiness
returned as she walked beside him.
In a sheltered corner Of the res.
taurnnt, over laden table, they fl.
nally faced each other.
Il haven't had square meal In
weeks" he admitted with his old
frankness. Now, don't tell me !
am wasting my life, as you used to.
I'm no good. l admit It."
mo, Edwin, | won't scold now
Then l had such bright hopes foT
you"
Nov you have given me up. ]
don't blame you. But I'm grateful for
this hand-out.7
Don't" she begged. 81 am still
still Interested in you. Please be kind
Tell me of yourself"
He laughed harshly, then rapidly
sketched his drifting from position TO
position and always downward. Then
gently, she told Of her own work as
secretary to one of the citys influ-
ential business men.
He listened grImly. "You have been
successful enough for both Of u.s."
She saw that her own success
seemed to offend him. and she tried
to change the subject
I Z
you for feeding beggar by the
way"
please, Edwin"
That's what / am. l don't want
to see you pay the cheek, SO l am
going. So long"
He went quickly, leaving her al
most In tears. He had changed SO
much. and yet she caught gllmpses
faint 1t Is true, of the man she had
loved.
She reached for her handbag, which
she had hung over the back of her
chair, The bag was gone. Her heart
seemed to stop beating. Could he
have taken the bag1 In the confusion
In her own mind the truth appeared
He and no other could possibly have
taken 1t.
She waited until the tumult within
her had quieted. Then she easily
made arrangements to have the lunch
charged, and with the world gray
about her went back to the office.
In the weeks that grew to months
and then to a year the deep wound
Of his act healed, leaving across her
heart only the thin trace Of scar
that gave to the outside world no
hint Of the depth of the wound be
meath.
One day Mr.. Shlvely, her employer,
turned to her with some papers
Mary, one Of our western men Is in
the outer office Please ask him to
step In"
She Obeyed, and found herself face
to face with-Edwln, ne longer sloven
in appearance nor weak of face. His
face was lined, but not with the cor
rodlng of dissipation, rather the lines
of self-dlscipIlne and steadfast pur'
pose
She stumbled back to her desk and
listened to voices that sounded far
away as she heard Mr.. Shiyely praise
him for his good work and assure him
that there was work for him in the
East then she heard Edwin's voice: +:
MAY I see Miss Baker, Just a mo-
ment, Mr.. Shlvelyf'
"Sure enough, Marsh. I. did not
know you were old friends. By the
way, visit here in the office. It's
about time for my afternoon game Of
golf anyway"
Mary heard the door close, She
beard Edwin approach. Something
was laid on her desk and opened. II
was her handbag, everything In 1t In
tact; and Edwin's voice, full of pain
but tinged with some hint of man
who had found himself, spoke gently.
Mary, / stole that, but 1t has been
the making of me. | found In the bag
that little photo of myself It touched
me to the very soul; and | made up
my mind would make good or die IN
the attempt-make good for the sake
Of the man you might have loved, ]
have been through hell, but 1 believe
I have come through clean. l Joined
the western agency, and here l am.
The thought Of you has been very
precious TO me through this year OF
struggle. You will forgive me and
not think too hard of me, won't your
She turned suddenly, saw the griei
In his eyes, brown and luminous with
what she knew was love for her; and
the next moment her arms were
around his neck, and his were about
her, while the room seemed to fill with
a shining peace and happiness.