Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 174, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1911 — TIME TO GO [ARTICLE]

TIME TO GO

By LOUISE OLNEY

(Cemrricfat, ion. fay AmocumS Utwuy PrsasJ

11m waa sarcastic. He found Norton separated from June Wltterlr. }otned unto Ms disreputable pipe, and; flans fall length on the grass behind the summer house after dinner. "How did It happen, NortonT ' I’ve been trying to get a word with you for two weeks. It’s time for you to go. How about our pact to keep singlet, for each to save the other if he saw Mm in danger of matrimony? Yon need rescuing."* ~— Jerry sucked his black pipe and draw Ms ddht-browed forehead Into a scowL "Guess you’re right, old man. Cut out the talk, ril go. I can see my finish as plain aa you. Probably she wouldn’t have me, but in spite of you. or pact or promise. I'd ask her to marry me —If she was as poor as L Decency won’t let me even seem to want her confounded money! And we were right—we both need the next ten years to work up in the law unhampered by—-family cares." The young man spoke slowly, his big, powerful face thoughtful, his long length still on the soft grass. McPherson, canny Scot, rubbed his reddish hair and considered his friend lovingly. He thought what a fool he had been to let Jerry Norton accept Mrs. Grayson’s house-party invitation. He should have foreseen wh&t June Witterly would do to his heart Mac had been brought up with June, and eras Immune to her fascinations. *1 haven’t left a hole for you, Jerry, t Jnst told Mrs. Grayson Td brought you a letter from Carroll asking your Immediate return to work on that Lawson case, and that you’d have to leave here on the eight-thirty train in the morning. I told her you were cut up about going. Now you’ve got to back me up In the lie, and pack your duds. Peters and the little car are to be ready for you at eight Fm not going until tomorrow.” He glanced at Norton and hoped he was not acting when it was too lata He knew June Wltterly very well. Jerry rose, knocked the ashes from his pipe, sad turned houseward smoothing Ms black hair, his blue •yes savage. “Well, your way is as good as another. rn go. It’s one way out of «n impossible situation. I’ll clear out Now get away—l’ll see Mrs. Grayson—” "Yes! And you'll see Miss June Wltterly! One evening of her in this rose-wreathed garden, and the moon that will be pp early, and knowing you are going, and you Will be lost! I will not let you out of my sight! She’s as crasy aa you—a word from you—" He stopped, cursing himself for a fool, for suddenly Joy gleamed In Norton’s face, a pitiful, doubting Joy. "Do you think she—T” he began eagerly. then scowled again. “She cares nothing for me.” he said stiffly. "Mind your confounded business! Did yOli —ever see' such hair aa she has! It’s—” "Pure molten gold, anything you say!" said Mac with an inward groan. Here was old Norton fairly drivelling! "I always knew a head of hair would bo your downfall! And, unluckily, I know »t's all her own. She doesn’t take It off nights.” He also knew the girl was genuine, heart and mind and soul, neither did Mac see how she could help loving Jerry Norton, but he strode by his side, vowing to clear him of this sentimental complication that would hinder his brilliant beginning in his profession. Joining the others on the great lawn at the edge of the tiny lake, with the big white moon Just sailing up. the two young men sought their hostess. The dosen others young people on the lawn sat or strolled about. Jessie Sterling flirted languidly with young Sayles whom she would not have married for worlds; Maddle Williams, her big eyes wistful and pathetic, would have thrown her grandfather’s millions into the lake for a word of love from the young Journalist. Two engaged couples were wondering how early them could decently get away from the rest—not that anyone minded their going. Most of them were politely regretful that Norton was obliged to leave. June alone seemed not to bear. She sat with Tom Overbolt, who was doing Ms brilliant Irish best to utterly charm her, a thing he had come here to attempt —his heart leaped at knowing Norton was off. Now he would have his chance! He helped Mac to keep her from a word with the departing one. The affianced ones faded away in the garden paths, young Sayles took Jessie Sterling for a canoe ride, and Maddie Williams pleaded s headache and went in. The hostess was called by the cook. Mac. the watch-dog. stood beside Ms friend, and saw June Wltterly, tall and slim, white-gowned in the white moonlight, her hair a fair glory about her small head, standing on the shore of the little lake. Overholt as near her as he dared get Mac put his hand on Norton’s arm •nd drew him into the house. He stayed with him until he was undressed, sad went to hie own room sowing to mm him on Ms train In the morning. But he knew the mischief had been done, though he thought It reparable. Poor Mac’s plans went awry. He sverslept. Norton slept not at all Hs was wondering that she had said «0 wood of farewell. She might have

given Mm her soft hand one moment, even before the others, she might have given Mm s chance for another look at her. He could have shaken Mao off—lt was Overhold that hindered him. The night was a feverish trouble. He rose in the gray of the morning, dressed carefully, and, quietly got his bags ready tor. Patera Then he dropped out doors from his open window on the first floor, and quietly, not to wake anyone, went Into , the rose garden and watched the first rosy tight of dawn. The dew was thick on the budding flowers —the world young and fragrant and sweet—like June Wltterly. Jerry Norton somehow felt gray and old and alone. He faced himself, but the thought of a lonely, tenyear fight for mere eminence In a profession made him tired and disillusioned In advance. It would have been different if he had anything but love to offer her—or if she also were poor. He hated her money. Then he broke off a glorious pink rose, bright and fresh as the dawn. Her window opened from a little balcony and he stood beneath it —the saßh was up, even the screen stood open on its hinges, but he knew she slept He wished she had been wakeful,'wretched, like himself. With a sudden Impulse he threw the rose into the window. She would not tel), him good by, but she would have this farewell from hftn. His heart beating like a boy's, he fled about the corner. An hour later he was eating his breakfast with Mrs. Grayson, who had Insisted on seeing the last of him. No one else was up. She knew something was wrong, but tactfully ignored the matter, since he chose not to confide In her. She liked Norton immensely. Finally Peters took his bag to the car, and they were spinning down the curved drive, Norton’s face stiffly turned away lest he glance at June Wltterly’s open window. McPherson, hearing the motor, rose, his red head tousled, thrust out his tongue as he gased, and made a wry face to himself. "Just —in time,” he murmured. Again Mac was wrong. A mile up the road Norton suddenly made Peters stop. He thrust money into the man’s not reluctant hand.

“Look here, Peters! Take this stuff on to the station. This country's too good to leave without a last wink. I’ll finish on foot —get the 10:10 train Instead. Say nothing to Mrs. Grayson.” A moment later, leaping two fences, and crossing u little strip of pasture, Jerry Norton was In the wood where he and June Wltterly had wandered and read the last two weeks. They had discovered this grassy place and she had loved It One languid afternoon, it seemed ages ago, their eyes had met id a sort of shock. He had set his teeth not to tell her how he wanted her. For a moment she had flushed crimson, and had then become very quiet and cool and reserved. Had ahe cared? Could Mac, confound him. have been right! Then Love, the little god, took a hand In the proceedings. Norton, disconsolately enough, found and followed the crooked Uttle wood-path, they had loved together. And a sudden turn came. He stopped, face to face with a golden-haired, slender girl, her eyes wide and angry, a pink rose in one hand—and tears on her cheek. She gave a little cry, her hand, pink rose and all, held to her breast. “I—thought you were—gone!” she said, then recovered herself almost haughtily. “Didn’t you go after aU, Mr. Norton? You —startled me! Isn’t —lt a beautiful morning—I came out for an early walk —and —” He had not spoken but stood scowling at her with a look that made her light words falter on her lips. He took a step toward her and seized her hands a little roughly. “Don’t.” he said. “You hurt! June —can’t you see that I couldn’t go?” Suddenly dawn rose in her face, a happiness that went shining from her eyes to his, so that he put his arm about her shoulders and drew her very close. “Could you love me? could you?" He shook her a very little, and her eyes filled with Joy* for this vehemence. “Could you?" he repeated. “Not —any more—than I do already, than I do —now," she said. Norton forgot his baggage. Peters, Mrs. Grayson, and. very especially, forgot all about his best friend, one McPherson. Poor, faithful old Mac!