Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-07-06
Reached a Final
Decision
SsSSSSSS
Bv DUFoRD JENNIE

&C o THAT is the final word, is It,
- Ayery?" he asked, looking on
into the fragrant southern night with
q sense of desolation.
"Please don't make IT hard for me-
do like you, I-enjoy being with you
but, Rand, I'm not just-just ready
my music, you know. is half my
Dreams" she said gently.
81 wonder-I wonder If you Will
do just one thing more for me. l
hate to ask you-but 1t lies pretty
close to the happiness Of one ! love-
he queried, hesltatingly.
He felt her warm, slender fingers
seek his.
81 can't give you myself" she
warned him quietly, "but anything
else-ask and see."
He pondered his request-should he
make it or should he not?
"Its just this, Avery. Father, as
you know, is alone. Mothers been
dead for twenty years. Father, as we
know. has only few months more to
live. and he knows it, | took you to
the old home he saw you, and came to
love you in those Orief hours we were
there. He's reached the point where
memories are pretty dear to him, and
he likes to talk OF the old home once
| more as he knew it-with h lovely
| girl In il with me, when he had gone.
Somehow. | felt sure enough OF you
| to let him believe we were close to
engagement. I am sorry the situation
Is thus.
She smoOthed his hand with gentle
touch. Il can forgive that deception"
He raised her hand to his lips. But
! the trouble Is ! cannot seem to get
courage to tell father. And what +
l." he stammered-
go on, Rand"
am wondering is, will you go
again with me, AMI except for the In
innate things, act as If we were en-
gagged. II is only matter of few
months, and next week you go North.
| know it would bring comfort to him
In fese last, hopeless hours. | know
1t is an unusual request, Avery, and
don't hesitate to say No."
She drew his arm under hers and
slipped closer to him.
ITS a noble kind Of deception, and
will be party to 1t, my dear. You
make The arrangements, and ] will
60" she said with fnality.
Rand brought the car to her hotel
the next morning. and soon the power
full motor was whispering its message
Of swift miles passing.
He looked down at the dark head
at his shoulder, smiled bit at the
chic hat, and wished he could kiss
the smooth satin of the cheek he could
see under the hats brim.
Don't let me make this a sad jour.
ney, Avery. Father is a pitiful sight
to me, but he has his old courage still
This is the last trip we take until you
go North, you know, so want you
to enjoy It," he suggested.
ooh, / SHALL" she said, smiling VI
into his eyes with her dark, wInsomt
glance.
'Then why so still?"
I'm a-thinking, and | never learned
to think out loud, she retorted.
He chuckled at her reply and tolC
her a story of an old darky on hi,
fathers place whose habit Of thinking
out loud constantly got him into
trouble. The tale lightened the mooC
Of the trip, and he drove the thoughts
| Of har onpnino danorfuro from hi,,o m,
he spun tales Of the country he knew
so well.
After gorgeous miles through thI
beautiful Virginia valleys he swung
up a drive over which ancient tree,
leaned, and stopped before a broad
pOrtico.
welcome home, my lady" he said
ms he helped her to alight.
Her face changed, but she answered
lightly, Il thank thee, my prince"
The old darky who came hastily Il
somewhat dramatically out to gree
them led them inward. and Rand tool
her hand.
ut will be simple, Avery JUS
leave 1t to me, and I'll try not to MAKE
It embarrassing for you," he said will
doubt as TO her attitude.
She pressed his hand. 81 promis,
you"
Rand ushered her into the bedroom
His father turned his thin but fine
aristocratlc, hlgh-bred face to then
from the great bed.
HYnunu0toro I am Glad IN,
your he said gently but eagerly. Z"
have been counting the hours since
got your word; and, Avery ma!
call you Avery?" he said to her.
She leaned from the chair whicl
the darby had placed for her AM
took his hand. II know bette
word she suggested.
He smiled. "Avery, my dear, /,
think you will bring back the lowell
ness the old house has missed $,
long" His deep eyes grew tender /"
wish could be here to see you in 1
for little while"
She hesitated Just moment ther
said gently: 81 should love to be, an,
/ can be IL Rand is willing to MARI!
pe right OF !"
Avery"
The terrible pain In his eyes mad,
her go to him; as she kissed him, sh,
whispered In his ear: 81 mean {
dear, beyond all doubt. | decided-oI
the way" She turned to the be,
where the sick man lay. his thin Sac,
aglow with happiness. cts settled
all but the day-and we want you {,
chose that" she added, a little tear
fully as she felt Rand's arms trembl,
with the shock OF his happiness as h,
al A.. l.