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Tlh® S®€Hm ■ 1 A Story ! ISy Aik® Lonsih® La®. 1 ’opyrlKlU, I‘HS, t>y Aineiictin ETei*s ) AKfCX'iuUOII. TEN minutes before tin* 8:40 train loft the Union station Thanks giving morning a young wo man in a datk green suit took possession of the first section in the rear Pull man anil proeeeded to make herself eomfortahle. It was Harriet Stillwell, runaway spinster, known to her Vassal - mates— mid to a few others as Ilnrry the IMlafory, beeause before committing herself to any course she looked at it long and thoroughly from all sides. "My first celebration of Thanksgiv ing alone,” she confided to her mirror. Intending the thought to lie a happy one, but lusteud she found It accom panied by a sigh. This eertainly was not logical, and Harriet had prided herself until recently on her logic. Bettltug back in her seat, animated by a grim determination to enjoy her self, she turned her attention to the scene outside. The train, westbound on the Itto Hrsnde road, sbiod before the Union station in Denver, and the first thing her eyes lighted on was a pair of etk's antlers branching majestically over a load of express trundled across the pavement. “Oh," she exclaimed aloud, "what beauties!” She pressed her face against the pane to watch them out of sight. “Ray promised me a pair two years ago, but— well. It’s quite like a man to forget!” Put it was not like Hay, and she knew it. Ray had never forgotten a promise to her. She thought of a dozen which he had fulfilled to the letter, but how inconsiderate of memory toehoose this of all days w herein to distract her attention when she had been anticipat ing eagerly her first sight of the Royal gorge! Then she fell to wondering how many guests Ray was having to dinner that day in his bachelor apartments. In the section opposite the porter was stowing away two suit cases sus piciously new in appearance, behind him stoed the owners, also suspicious ly new as to dress. The lady, who was no longer young, wore a suit of gray, n gray hot with a white veil and gray gloves. The man also wore gray-dark gray from the rim of hair visible be neath his hat to his brand new fash ionably cut trousers. The porter straightened himself, dos ing his hand over a silver piece with a “Thank you, sah, thank you!” and re tired, grinning. Presently the Pullman conductor sauntered in. pulled his mus tache and looked knowing, while the passengers gradually awoke to the fact that the wonderful Royal gorge would have a rival in the interests of the day. As for Harriet, she distinctly disap proved of the open delight which the “MY FIRST CBIjEBR ATI ON OF THANKSGIV ING Al/ONE.” couple opposite took in their own soci ety, maintaining thut ton years of wed ded life alone give married people the right to devote themselves to each other in public. “And at the end of ten years they never care to!” thought this runaway spinster, with a glance as scornful as her soft eyes could express. “How glad I am that I have escaped a wedding trip!” With this Thanksgiving declaration her lips set themselves firmly, but her eyes grew’ wistful as she fell again into a reverie, going over certain rea sons she had gone over so many times before, perfectly logical, but she was not at all sure they satisfied her. That was the trouble, if ouly she could be usure— “Sleeper tickets, please!’’ demanded the conductor. Khe produced her ticket, at the same time asking. “Is the upper berth of this section taken, conductor?” “Vos. ma'am, bv a gentleman.” “Ah thank you.” Then the mur mur, caught only by the window, “I hope he sees fit to stay in the smoker all day.” But lie did not see fit. Half way " Colorado Springs he deserted the smoker and came swinging down tlie aisle toward Ills lawful seat in section !, while Harriet, glancing back, gasp ed half in dismay, half in delight, wholly astonished. But hr was not looking at her. His eyes were on the couple across the aisle, and a faint smile flushed across his fine face, a smile of sympathy and not derision, she noticed. Then he reached section 1 and removed his hat. i M .g_ Marry Stillwell, by the gods immortal!” For an instant they looked at each other in silence, Harriet's eyes- before she got them under control- sparkling and dancing over this unexpected meeting. Then she laughed outright. “Well. Ray, don't you think we better shake hands'/” “Perhaps.” He held his out gravely, and to Harriet the knowledge came with a shock of wonder that the face she could read so well was not ex pressing unalloyed pleasure at sight of her. “I thought you were at home, Har ry,” he remarked, resting his elbow on his knee. “Yon thought I was at home!” echoed Harriet blankly. “Why. Ray mond Merrill! Where have you been all this time?” Her eyes were under control now. Ray leaned over and rubbed at a spot on the window. “Let's see. I went to North Woods In—August, wasn't it?” Yes, it was directly after the even ing when they had their last talk, such a logical talk—on her part—she considered ft. She nodded and allow ed a distant view of Pike's Peak to absorb her attention. “Well, I've not been back since then —scarcely heard from home, in fact.” (Then lie did not even suspect she was running away from hint! She felt un accountably defrauded.) "I’ve been all-over (lie west, fishing and limiting. By the way, Harry, I Just shipped a pair of elk’s antlers hack to you from Denver. If you remember, I promised them to you long ago.” She leaned forward eagerly. “Oh. Ray, 1 do believe I saw them on the platform! They are beauties. Thank you. I can scarcely wait until 1 get home to have them put tip.” Again she was struck by his strange reserve. Three months ago his face would have glowed over her enthusi astic thanks. The groom's head lay against the back cushions very near his bride's lie was speaking low, and she was smiling and pulling at her gray muff. Quite illogicall.v the sight brought a lump into Harriet's threat. They were silly, of course, to act that way—but— If only Ray would he Ids old self! Then she strangled the thought and took a fresh hold of herself. “And you':” Ray was saying. “Oh, I!" Tier lone was lightly flip pant. “Why. I've been—since August rambling too. Can’t say I’ve hunted, but I’ve fished and ridden and explored from northern Montana to here.” “What for?” Harriet's chin went up, and her tone became more flippant. "What a queer question! Rut if you w r ant reasons, for tunately I can control the price of a few railroad tickets. Being past Oven ty-five and accounted discreet, 1 can travel alone. I intend to see the west, and I love my Independence.” The last assertion escaped her invol untarily. She stopped abruptly and bit her lip. But Ray did not wince. He merely looked at her iutently. ' “Harry, I believe I can sympathize with you in that independence busi ness. I've been enjoying a taste of in dependence myself for the first time in seven years.” Harriet looked her amazement. Ray mond Rfbrrill was a very model of in dependence to Ids frieuds—lndependent of family ties, independent in income, in health, in habits. “What do you mean?" she inquired directly. Ray did not reply at once. He was looking across the aisle again. The bride had bent her face over a book, which she held upside down, while a pair of bearded lips almost against her cheek were whispering. Unexpectedly Ray turned and smiled into Harriet’s eyes, with a flash of his old self. “Disgusting, isn't it?” she said hast ily to cover a sudden helpless confu sion which sent tlie blood throbbing into her temples. ‘•I rather enjoy watching them,” re turned Ray quietly. “That chap looks as though be expected to attend a per petual Thanksgiving service, and she wed. it looks as though she was satis fied.” “Watch them on a journey ten years from now and if she's satisfied,” Harriet retorted, furious at herself for giving the conversation such a tactless turn. “Well, what would you see?” chal lenged Ray. “That novel u ill be rurht side tl[| —| - f f Lf m • ‘TToiic so,” coolly. "I should ex pect a companionship of ten years to rob the situation of some of Its nov elty.” "And the groom, enveloped in cigar smoke and a newspaper, will occupy the smoker.” “Doubtless. But he may lie as sin cerely her lover as he is today, ’ Harriet shrugged her shoulders and gazed back at Colorado Springs, which they were leaving behind them. “So long ns It's Thanksgiving day let's lie happy and thankful and not disagree." Ffer laugh was a trifle forced. Another bbw and another “Just as you < Loose, Harry.” She moved uneasily, striving in vain o break through the barrier his man ner had erected again*/ her. He was perplexing, bewildering. “Let s go back,” she Itegan lightly, although her hands were pressing hard on cadi other ns they lay In her lap. “You said something which makes me curious—that you'd been enjoying your independence for the first time in seven years.” Ray raised his head, with a mirth less smile, and looked at her. Then he hesitated, studying the people in the opposite section. “1 never intended to tell you, Harry. It's unfortunate I should meet you just now"— He stopped. Impulsively Harriet filled in the pause. "1 thought you did not appear glad to see me.” “No,” he returned frankly, "1 was not—am not glad. I remenibw you al ways balance your ledger with Provi dence on Thanksgiving day and count your mercies. This meeting is so far from being among mine that I intend to leave (lie train at (Jlenwood Springs this evening get away from you, in short.” “Why, Raymond Merrill!” The girl's brearb was taken away. To run away from Ray. that seemed to have been fffff "I WANT A HOME, NOT ENDT.I S3 BACHELOR AFAIITMENTN.” her duly in August, but to have Ray i run away from her, why, it was un thinkable! “It sounds harsh, I know,” the man went on steadily, “but you asked for an explanation and,” obstinately, “I Intend to make it in all its baldness. But as I don’t care to shout it into the i face of a ear full I’ll take the liberty of silting beside you.” He suited his action to the word, and Harriet's fingers laced themselves to gelhor with spasmodic strength as he i spoke close to her ear. “Let's see, Harry. It's just seven years ago today that 1 gave my first i bachelor Thanksgiving dinner, and you were there. Do you remember?” She nodded mutely. "From that day to—well, our last talk, 1 have known no independence of your will. 1 have Served for you faithfully seven years.” Harriet's finger nails pressed into her j palms, and her breath came irregular ly. He went on: "It was my study and work to win you, and to that end I ordered my life. You were worth it, Harry, had , seven years won you. 1 have no word lof blame for you. I'm not discussing your side of the situation now, but my own.” The girl besfide him remembered, with a pang of regret. “I’m merely trying tq get at this. Up in the woods last August I deter mined that my happiness should no longer be dependent on you”— Ray suddenly broke off and looked at her. Her eyes wavered and fell be fore bis. Down in her throat was a sob she was striving to keep there. For the first time the man’s voice softened. “You’ll think it harsh, but I have S|>l out to tell you the whole truth about my new determination. I have thought you the sweetest woman Hod ever made, but In order to achieve my inde pendence I am uuthinking that”—the sob forced itself high in Harriet’s throat—"and I fully intend”— Again he broke off and glanced across the aisle. The bride was look ing into her lmslaiuT e< ;;.gS With a Bagwell Business College. • GEORGIA’S LEADING BUSINESS TRAINING SCHOOL. Ja§HL>. : '•:> -Z-k-I w. FELIX BRYAN. Stenographer Southern R. R. after four months course in night School. 198 PEACHTREE ST., ATLANTA, GA. A BANK ACCOUNT Will give you a financial standing in the community. 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R: v drew a long breath, and his v< ieo faltered when lie spoke again. “1 want a home, not endless bache lor apartments, and love returned as well as given, and when I've achieved my independence I shall seek them— again.” He ended abruptly, with a lit tle gesture across the aisle. “Ray!” The sob broke out with the word. “Ray!” It was a sob which shattered seven years of logic, doubts, questionings, and left her woman’s heart pleading for love. Instantly a big tanned baud lay on the cushion between them, its palm turned up in mute asking, and the next moment it closed over a small one that dropped into it with a quick passionate movement, a very abandonment of giv ing. “Sweetheart. I was a long way from achieving my independence,” whis pered Ray, and the pressure of the fingers within his answered him. Har riet’s face, flushed, tear stained, happy, was close against the window. “Some way it was the sight opposite that gave me courage—not a silly sight, Harry, dear’’— A vehement shake of the head against the window proclaimed her suddenly altered views, and then, de spite tears and blushes, she glanced around at the couple across the aisle. The man was answering a chance ac quaintance who had come in from an other car, and his voice, bluff and mer ry, was interesting half the occupants of the Pullman. “Think we’re on our wedding tour, Cos they? Ha, ha!” laughed the roan opposite. “That's a good joke. Do you remember —It’s exactly ten years ago today that we started on our wedding trip!” The splendid records of our students and their success in hold ing the best positions clearly demonstrates that our modern methods and systems of Short hand and Book-keeping save one half the time required for systems and that they make more competent Stenographers and Book-keepers. 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