The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-08-12


responsibilities. She felt the very
bottom of her world drop out. She
sensed the beginning of the end, for
hadn't each of the seven discoveries
of the most wonderful girl in the
world began in that self same way.
just before the final curtain?
Every man wants a wife, a home
and kiddies," John was saying. TAX
ing her very words away from her.
Who could it be, she wondered? 1t
was sickening to lose John thus, after
all the others. Ah-she must try to
make it last little longer; at least
until she could retire gracefully, with
out letting the .world-her world
know how she had been stricken.
Time-just little tine-enOugh to
allow her to get out Of town. Aunt
Grace was sailing for Europe the fol-
lowing week She would go with her.
"Why, joint" she heard herself
saying. with a historical laugh, In a
voice she scarcely recognized as her
own: "Whoever heard of a man as
SOuAS US YOU UluIlllS uluiSCiL Win
such letters? And I'll wager anything
the girl whoever she is, won't want
to think of house to look after and
crying babies for eyes and ages!"
But love-"
"Love-fddlesticks! None but old
fogies believe in love these days. Low
ing Is a lost art, Johnnie, don't you
know it Isl"
She never could forget the hurt look
in his honest, brown eyes, but she let
sympathy with what he probably
would have called 'the biggest thing
in my life," had she allowed him to
progress that far, had driven him
away. All well and good. She would
rather never set eyes on John Way
burn again than to have to march
down a church aisle as bridesmaid
at his wedding.
The next day she learned that he
had left town-left without word for
her whose heart was aching for
glimpse of him. Two days later his
letter reached her. She opened 1t
with trembling fingers and tear-wet
eyes.
Dear Margaret:
81 left because l could not en-
dure remaining where seeing you
would be unavoidable. l love you
deeply and supposed you loved me
in the same way. l cannot tell
you the shock it was to hear you
speak so lightly of love, home and
children. No one could have made
me believe you would say such
things had I not heard you my
self. Perhaps you are only wait
ing for the right man. When he
comes l hope he will protect and
care for you as I'd like to have
done.
John"
cry escaped her. For once she
had Observation-Disclosures
away the only man she ever really
had wanted. Her life was utterly
ruined and she only was to blame.
The trip with Aunt Grace was in
evitable now She must hide away
where her tell-tale heart would not
betray her
John Wayburn had advised no one
of his destination. His letter had
been mailed from a train so she could
not reach him to tell him how she had
misled him, had her pride permitted
her to do So
Reaching New York two days ahead
of the date for sailing, Margaret was
left much to her own devices during
Aunt Graces last minute shopping.
On the morning Of the second day,
while she waited in the lobby of the
hotel where her aunt lived, her heart
almost stopped beating when she saw
John Wayburn coming toward her.
He did not see her until he was di-
rectly in front of her.
Margaret" He tensed when he
saw that it was she. "Why are you
here? Come-well call a taxi" he
went on, when he saw her eyes fill
"Now," when they were in the cab
"Tell me-what is It? Why did you
say those things? You can't have
meant them"
Il thought you were like all the
| rest-waiting to tell me of your love
for some other girl-and-I wanted
TOTO ward off the evil day as long as
| possible!"
'Then you did love me all the time
you didn't mean what you said
about"
"About home and-er-childrenT she
interrupted, hiding her crimson face
against his coat mo, John. They
are the things every sane girl looks
forward to when she finds the right
| man."
"Margaret," he exclaimed, lifting
her shining eyes to his. You're the
most wonderful girl in the world p"
Smallest knoUn Fish