Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-09-22

VI hoOpS anu ClICleS llldJ grew III
cessantly into one another, like rings
in water, standing out before me and
receding into space.
Then l began to reflect how l was
to get out of church and meet Lucy.
There were steps and turns, and
could not bear the thought of a scene.
Besides, l had my ideas about Lucy.
l wanted to break it to her in my own
way l wanted, in plain truth, to
lay trap to catch her inmost
thoughts-the first cry of her heart.
/ was not delirious; l was as sane as
had been for weeks past. Now
would see if she could be all to me
that | could fancy. That was what
l thought. How sane l was do not
know.
The service was of an appalling
length. 1t outlasted the storm. Mean
time l was ripening my plan. If my
man would help me, it was feasible
When the sermon ended-great heav-
ens how commented on that SER
mon, though it was nothing but a
string of inoffensive platitudes, but
it ended at last, and l took my neigh
Dor by the sleeve.
Look here, - whispered, II want
you to help me out. Do you mind
waiting for the voluntary" They
have a sort of recital there after the
boys have gone out. He nodded, l
suppose, for heard nothing and had
to ask again.
Eyes, all right, he said. He had
a pleasant voice.
steadied myself bit during the
hymn, but then came collection.
That was the first thing that brought
the feeling of helplessness in on me-
l had to ask to be touched when the
bag came. This and the fumbling
way in which I handed it told the
tale to my neighbor.
Pardon me-" he whispered, ''but
aren't you blindS'
"Blinded2" 1 replied, and / felt his
start. Then l explained to him that
| had wife there and did not wish
the shock to come on her too sudden
ly and wanted him to see me home.
l fancy he thought me crazy.
"All right" he said, ''I'll do my
best. But you must explain fully"
Your name is Bedford" said,
land you knew me intimately in
Paris five years ago"
But 1 never was in Paris, he re-
piled.
We tried other places. Finally Lau.
same was pitched on. was to &c
out on his arm and introduce him tC
Lucy.
You had better tell which is youl
wife, if you can" he said.
"She is sitting in the front row on
the left
There are four women there" he
said
made him describe them to me
Lucy was the third am so unob
servant about dress that could no
be sure till he described her features
roughly. 1t is a very odd sensation
to hear another man describe youl
wife to you, especially if he calls hel
beautiful in an apologetic sort of way
| should have been vcxed if he hac
said pretty" Yet somehow the
other word made me catch my breath
AS the voluntary ended he told me
when Lucy got up to go, and WI
stumbled into the isle while she could
not see us.
Lucy met us in the vestibule. HI
had to nudge me when she came
Luckily, she spoke first.
"What a stormi And you looked
deathly ILL.,"
1T was pretty bad, said, but le
me introduce Mr.. Bedford, of whom
l have talked so often.
Then we walked homeward. Lucy
made talk about boating with th'
Young man. He was dreadfully EN-
barrassed in his tone, and no wonder
| cut in now and then with leading
questions about the people we hat
known, or rather / had known IL
Switzerland. But he was very re
sourceless in lying, and had to CIV
it up for fear of revelation. Be
sides, my head was dizzy with walk
ing on in the dark, expecting ever.
moment To stumble. | was afraid
too, that Lucy's suspicious might b
reused by my taking his arm. l an
not demonstrative in my ways witt
men.
Happily the footpath was empty
but about half way home we me
some women-I think they were al
women from the rustic OF thel
dresses-and had 10 steer clear o
them. In my nervousness ran m.
supporter hard into lamppost.
my dear boy" Lucy cried out
.sMr. Bedford won't appreciate you
affection at this rate. Have you los
your eyesl"
We got home without further az
cident, and l put my hand on IN
open door. Lucy was urgent wit
our friend TO stay and have tes
Never mind your work, she salC
I'VE shall think you are in a hurr