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Show unclosed and he bent to catch the at her lips were struggling words to form. "1 dont mind, John because yo' She hesitated. came. "Oh, Ruth, he began in an agonized voice half intending to tell her all. A faint smile crossed her face and she Interrupted. I always knew you would oome, John, for you promised, but It has been so long. The man was completely unnerved He could not let her die without one kind word this girl who had found the years so long. He had promised nothing at parting more than a boys thoughtless "I'll come back." Her he said unsteadily. "Ruth, eyes opened again very slowly. Looking Into those eyes, all words failed him, and, stooping, he kissed her brow1. Later they found him there in the starlight, with the dead girl in his arms. He was wondering if she knew all. (Copyright, HAD GOOD TIME OCCASIONALLY. 1906, by Dally Story Pub. Co.) Rand made his last change of cars and boarded the Blngle passenger coach on the absurd little train. It was a branch road running out into the country, a road managed by a few rustic officials who ran their trains with a fine disregard of schedule, and would gladly slow down to . exchange items of local gossip with a farmer at a crossing. It was, nevertheless, the home road and Road had not come home since he bad gone away to the city ten years before, a lad of seventeen. He recogalzed the old brakeman and the conductor, but they eyed him as a stranger. It was small wonder. Ten years had dealt kindly with the big, clumsy boy whose green crocheted coat one scarcely saw tie and because his face was so sincere and strong. The conductor of the little train beheld now a successful business man, a city fellow, yet one. If he had looked more closely, whose eyes were still frank and true. Rand did not make himself known to them. He caught himself wishing that they had known' him, but was aware at tbe same time that he was unreasonable to expect It To them the years had no doubt seemed long-- , er than to him. He had worked hard not pausing to observe the flight of time. And since- - he bad met Helen, how short the months had been, sweet little Helen who was soon to be his wife. There were only a few other passengers In the car. Rand scrutinized each one Imagining that be might And In them some old friends of his youth. A few seats ahead of him sat a young woman to whom his eyes reseveral times. verted gucstlonlngly There was something about the wave of her black hair or the low coll of It against her neck that haunted him Once she with a vague familiarity. turned a little and he caught a glimpse of her cheek. Ruth Hayes! The name unthought of for so many years flashed into his mind. Ruth, the playmate of pretty little tom-bothose early days! But was this surely Ruth? Suddenly she rose to put some package Into the rack overhead and In so doing faced him squarely. Her eyes met his for a second uncertainly and then a smile of happy recognition lighted her face. She extended her hand. Rand hastened to with many assurances of degrasp-ilight at his good fortune. The girl was silent at first, but her glad eyes welcomed him. They sat down together and soon fell to recalling old times. One recollection led to another In swift succession. Did he remember the Sunday school picnic when they ate so much Ice cream, or would they ever forget the time It poured so on the' straw ride to Weavers Valley? Ruth, ; he soon noticed, could supply many little details that he bad forgotten, things even that he had said or what he had worn on some particular occasion. She recounted joyously many He became of their old escapades. slleet listening and studying her. Her face had lost some of Its old mirthfulness; It was very sweet, but just a little sad. Her voice was low and clear. "It was you," she was saying, "who suggested going there by moonlight her. He hastened to change tbe subject. "Youve been away on a visit?" he asked. "Yes," she said simply, and I Intended to stay until Thursday, but something seemed to tell me I must come It was a premonition, dont you think?" and she smiled into his eyes. Rands embarrassment Increased. He glanced out of the window nervously wishing the ride was at an end. Could It be possible that she bad been remembering him, caring for him all these years? "Why did you not write? she continued after- - a pause. "You stopped writing before you had been gone a year. 1 wanted to bear bo much, and you promised. Rand offered some confused explanation, and racked his brains for a safe topic of conversation.. Never had be been placed In so trying a posiwoman who had tion. Here waa obviously cherished hla memory for to-da- Worth While. Lord, it seems but short, our lifetime; Just a breath and we're away; Looking backward down our pathway We were boys Just yesterday. And we'll be old folks. And, day after that, we'll pasa; As the thistledown the wind blows Or the mist upon the glass. y t of Millionaire Had Been Wasting Sympathy. "The Pittsburg millionaire at the Waldorf has become the official goat in New York for all stories of the gay old sport" variety. Here Is tht latest tale: At the Waldorf they are telling of a Pittsburg millionaire who is over 70, and the way he fooled his son and nephew on a recent visit to the city of the great white way. The two young men dined with "father every evening and then watched him take the elevator to his quarters. Too bad father has to go to bed every evening at 9, said the son. "Wonder if he goes to sleep right away, or if he'd like us to stay and talk to him? Let's go up and see, said the nephew, feeling the full grip of compassion. They found his shoes outside the door waiting for the coming of the bootblack, and there was no light In the transom. "Poor old man, he does not have a very good time over here " they chorused. They went out Into the night in a cab and toward midnight turned into one of the gilded mirrored lobster places. When they were finally seated about a table and had given the waiter his order they looked about the room. The first individual to meet their astonished gaze was father, in full evening dress, pouring champagne into a glass which was held by an actress. "How about the shoes In front of your door? they asked him afterward. "It's a pity a man of my age and money cant have two pairs of shoes, my children, he said with a wink. "Those were my old shoes. Relatives "Ruth," he said, unsteadily. ten years and expected that he had done the same for her. How foolish he thought her to cling to those child-- , ish promises. A business man bad no time for writing letters to play-- I mates of his boyhood. Helen, he herself thought, would not betray like this. Yet there seemed to be nothing coarse about Ruth's betrayal; she sweet was very very The windows of the train were open and the evening air blew la lad- en with the old familiar fragrance of the hayflelds. The sun had just set behind the hills that he knew so well. How beautiful It was, and he had been away ao long. Ruth turned to him again front tbe peaceful acene and there were tears on her lashes. "Your native hills and meadowa have missed you, John. We have all missed you so. Rand could not meet the beautiful light of her eyes. A hot flush swept over his face. He must stop her, must tell her of Helen and go away at once. She laid a hand gent-- 1 ly on his arm. "You know, John," she whispered, "you are very, very welcome home. Rand's agony at the girl's tone and a thungesture was annihilated derous crash. Darkness came upon them with the shivering of glass, the The cracking of strained timbers. long shlftlessness in the management of the road had borne fruit In a fearful collision. Rand lay stunned for a few seconds and then by powerful wrenchlngs freed himself from the debris. He stood dazed as a realization of the disaster forced Itself upon bis numb-- . ed senses. "Ruth," he crlod, "Ruth, where are you? Frantically he tugged at the splintering beams. A few men had rushed to the wrock and were attempting to rescue the passengers. The mass had taken Are from the engines and the men bent every energy to outstrip tbe flames. Rand worked alone at that end of tbe car near which they had been sitting. , From time to time he called Ruth'a name and onre he thought a faint cry an-- I Recounted Joyously many of their old swered him. He bent down and peered into the wreck In the fading twl-- i escapades. You said that tbe moonpath across light. John." The word came to him the water was the moat beautiful audible as he stooped. 8be In world." scarcely tbe thing "Bid I eay that?" be laughed. "How was held beneath a beam that it took hls mightiest effort to remove. He could you ever remember?" "llow could I ever forget?" she cor raised her tenderly and carried her reeled and her voice waa low with to the little grassy hank beside the tracks. Very gently he held her with a little tremor in It. Raid became auddenly uncomfort- . great bitterness In hls heart for he able. He waa aorry that she bad knew that she was dying and that wot forgotten, and wished that old she had given him a lore which he 5iMi did aol aew Important t i eotiM not return. At last her eyes J ij It's worth livin In. this world Is, Where the flowers bud and bloom. Where the fireflies are dartin Drawin pictures on the gloom; Every day's worth havin' lived for. And, In love, one's hopes and fears. For onn little, ticklin' minute Are plumb worth a million year! V And the hug of one wee baby. When ita reachin' up to climb To your bosom just to love you Worth ten million years o' time; And Its kisses at the nighttime. When you're crooning It to sleep. Each one'a worth a batch of agea That 'ud make a mighty heap. And o nlghta a baby watchln For your cornin down the street. And the yellow curls And the awkward legs an' feet. And the glad mouth held for kisses and half Half Makes life's wee span mighty aappy, Makes the livin' well worth while. J. M. Lewis, in Houston Poet. It Was Hit Name. Well, what do'you want? Haven't you ever talked over a telephone before?" The hotel clerk was In the telephone booth, says the Ixnils-vlll- e "Hello Courier-Journa- l. Hello hello well, have you found out who you want? That's better. mraSEDB Quito Essential. Young Roxley is learning "J. Hominy what? Well, who" 'Spell It again." "J. Hominy E. Frogeye. Well,' what do you think of that. Are you sure that's correct? Incipient. mustache Is beginning to be noticeable at lawst, said the callow to be a "My machinist. "Ah, very commendable; wants to have a trade so that If anything happens to his fortune he can "Nonsense! No, he simply wants to be able to keep hls automobile youth. Yes, replied Pepprey, "It reminds me of the defeated pugilist I saw at that prize fight last night. Aw, how was that?" "Down and out. Not That Kind of a Place. All my threats didn't bother him It Wont Happen Again. Governor (at the consuls party) I remember your face perfectly, sir, but your name for the moment has escaped my memory. Stranger I am delighted to meet you again, your excellency.' My name Is Ivan Petrovich Swercczskiskl. at all," said tbe collector. "No? replied the merchant, said we could go as far as we liked, eh? "Well er I think the place he mentioned was farther than you'd like. Wanted to Have it Him I De Lush Now, look here i you dont want to go right fa that 6aloon again, Surely n thirsty so soon? McSosh No, I aint thirsty, ol boy but say, tha salooni place to be In case I do get it,1 Aintirl'? Conveying an Impression "Why do you persist in your, to talk on public questions"' "Because," answered Senat hum, at the present time th, way to convey an imj, surest that you could say somethisj tant If you choose.Waj Star. RIGHT AT HOME. How It Looked. "No, dear, I must refrain fr lng you until you return fre eeption." But why?" "Well, the last kiss I gave look you put on your make-uwet oasis in a desert of chalk. p A Uniform Deficiency, "Yes, the general of the Vei army Is going to meet the Frev, mander and arrange the deUik armistice." Well, what causes the delev "The general had to borrov of shoes and a calico shirt. On tha Ocean Blue, "When that storm was btou terday, said the vlvaciou just threw up my hands U "Well," returned her escert "something got the matter r (whose best young man had been invited to dinner) Do you think hls intentions are serious, mamma? Mother I Bhould say so! Why, he eats as if he already belonged to the family. Elizabeth Career Projected. "So they wont let you say anything in congress?" said Farmer Corn-t- c ssel. "No," answered the youthful statesman. "Well, you Jes' stand paL One o these days, when they come around and want you to talk, dont you say a word. Then you'll get the reputation of bein' a sphinx, which is one of the most valuable things a man In politics can have." As to the Tramps. "Yes," said Shippin, "its awfully dull In the shipping business; nothing at all to do. It's particularly hard " on the tramp steamers Why, exclaimed Jolkly, "I should think tramp steamers would be delighted when there's nothing to do. Philadelphia Press. Explanatory. "Did you read about the girl who hot a burglar?" "The fellow the police said 'bled like a borser Yes. "I have a theory about that. "Spring It. Philadel"She shot a nightmare. phia Ledger. Bothered by the Lawyers. Widow If John had only made a will there wouldnt be all this difficulty about the property. Visitor Do the lawyers bother you? Widow Bother me? They almost worry me to death. I declare I sometimes almost wish that John hadnt died. too, but didnt I er-e-r-1 throw up my hands. Awful to Contemplate. Weary Walker "Wot yer r so worried about, Ragsey Ragson Tatters "I just read, in de paper dls mornln' when entitle gent said: Doin nothli time Is de hardest kind o' wor. Suppose dats true! Had To. "When we first got married i and I quarreled for a year whether we should buy an talc Good Job. or a horse and buggy. Tuner Your daughter told me to "How did you settle it?" call and fix her piano." "We compromised os ihl Pater Well, what ails It? rlage." Tuner "Three strings busted." Pater1 "Whatll you take to break A Helpful Wife, the rest of em? Denham A man told me Ik Tit-Bit- Ach, Louie I Dont you adore German? "No. Language too decollete." Too what? Those gutturals too low In the neck." Cleveland Leader. Should Have Been a Year. In my new play thirty days elapse between the third and last acts." "You hot off easy. Cleveland leader. mind my own business. Mrs. Benham What reply it make? Benham sary I told him it waati that you looked "I heard hall early very loud, What was "I guess out IF 1 It Probably Was a very loud seiat) this morning. That a very susplciean It" It was the day k my dear. ALONG THE RIALTO. Decided. said Samson after he had brought down the house by his last shakedown, "I will never give another encore to this audience thats flat. He was right; It was so very flat that not even the Janitors fragments could be recognized in the general debris. "No, Rebuke or Encouragement "He kissed her on the forehead. The proud beauty drew herself up to her full height." And "What's that name again? SHOO. then?" "He couldn't reach any higher than her lips, of course." Louisville Ameliorating Circumstances. I sawed wood onct. Second hobo And you one of the profesh! O, Clarence, how could you? First hobo 1 got out of an old log First hobo Jail. "All right. I'll see If I can find him." "What do you think that fellow wants? He asked me If a man named J. Hominy B. Frogeye Is stopping here. "Thats my name, meekly remarked a young man who stood at the desk. After the owner of tho exceptional name had roncluded hls conversation, the clerk recovered sufficiently to ring for a glass of water. Second hobo fer misjudgin Forgive me, Clarence, Terre Haute Star.' you. It Depends. Don't you think this smile Is rather legislation for railroads strong?" "Oh, I dont know. Automobiles have one scent for atl the miles they travel, and that's stronger than any law ran make It. Her Symptoms. Mrs. Jawhnck The doctor thinks Removing Temptation. Deacons Smith and Jones, two pil- you have gout and nervous prostralars of the church, were working In tion. the hayfleld on a Virginia farm. SudMr. Jawback Why, the doctor Old Tragedian Yes; I was once engaged to old Van Rocks' ' denly Deacon Smith called out excit- hnsn't seen me. I gave her up, but preferring art to wealth. Mrs. Jawhnck edly: No, hut he saw me. snooks And now Ill bet What die ah dun foun' in dls hay youd like a return engagement tack?" Should Be Consistent "Look ter me lark er Jug oh llcker," In Russia, t Tho Rial "I really believe. said her Jealous Deacon Jones responded, hls eyes role "Your we have excellency, Popl executed fiance, "that you permit other men to you think the lng. every revolutionist In (he province." are very much shocked lisa you." Both deacons pondered, and present"Well! revelations of big profit l "8urely you dont object." replied ly Deacon Smith said, gravely: "Rut the revolution still goes, on." J the "Shocked? Of oourse "You pretty girl. "Bro Jones, don you 'low wet II always declared Then we must resort to on more drasIn were that they didnt get opposed to monopolies, " better drink up rile hyah, lea some po' you tic measurea. Philadelphia Bulletin. floor first, Baltimore weak hrndder fin hit fall by da way. Another Family Row Started. Ida?' Chicago American. Both Entitled to the Namt, Dangerous Dtvotle' Yonng wife I've taken very Customer great Have you any extract of School for Women Chemists. wife thinks J l over "Wiggins theee palna biscuits, dear, and beef? A school for women chemists has man In the 'ori' The bcnedlrt And now, I suppose, greatest Walter Yes, sir. Brown or white? been opened at Deasau, Germany. you want to see If "Yes. That's very theyll hnve the Customer Brown or white? i Graduates esn enra from !0 to $4 a a The enlv trouble proper. tffect upon me Stray Slorles. Walter Yta. sir, Beef tea or milk? la sooth. t think1 getting UTlrr Shock-"Don- erl 0 PH |