The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-17

interest In the serious affairs Of life. But
to go 1.-the third time was engaged was
different. Number Three was 50 different
from the rest I vas really in love. Made
line. I know I was. and the worst Of -
is stiu love him"
How worst OF it. dear. aren't you stln
engaged to him7'
Perhaps you viii think I am dread
full but I've been engaged twice since;
but l eouldn't bear them and l broke
with both. and I've had lots Of offers
and 1 wouldn't listen to them. I'm
ashamed Of II too. 1 can't help T.
cont know why they do il. but the
men must think I am spooney: for they
all, whenever they get a chance, try
to say silly things to me-"
How is II that you broke your en-
gagement with Number Three, IL you
loved him and still love him?"
1t was this Wey. l knew 1 liked
Ted better than the rest. He was Ted
die Shepherd But 1 did not know
loved him until ne had gone. He went
to Australia a week after l returned his
letters and ring. He sent me such q
nice letter and said that he loved me
and always should. and that ne hoped
i would be very happy. He would do
anything TO make me happy and that
was why he was going away. And II
should ever change MY mind again.
and thought 1 could care for him Just
little. 10 send for him and ne wOu d
come back. On, how I have cried over
that letter. I went out more and tired
to be gayer than ever, hoping that
would wear away, but 1t wouldn't
was engaged twice. but l couldn't en-
dure it when l thought of Ted. For
/ the first time l knew what il meant TO
be engaged and what love was l sub
/ pose II mother had lived or even pap4.
| II would have been different. You
| know l have been an orphan ever since
was five years old. Aunt Susanna is
so busy and size likes me to be popular
with the men, and / never was caught
how / ought 10 behave and I have been
very silly"
Have you never heard from Ted.
dear?" asked Madeline.
Never once. Ted isn't that kind. He
would never come back unless I asked
him. and he has no reason to think tnat
l care for him, Maude answered as she
I leaned YEARLY back in her chair.
why don't you write to him, DEAR"
That is just what l wanted to ask Won
about. only know he went to Australia.
/ don't know where, and do you suppose
/ a letter just addressed Theodore Sh+p-
herd, Australia. would reach him?" asked
Maude.
why not try. dear: send It to his old
address here. and ask to have It forward
ed to Australia. That is II you are quite
sure you want him to come back"
Maude sat long time at her writing
desk and the floor was strewn with
erumpled bits OF tinted note paper-un-
| satisfactory attempts. Finally she gave
this letter to Madeline for her approval;
Dear Ted-When you went away told
| you that / did not love you. l was mis-
taken. ! have known It ever since Won
went away. want you to come back.
If you still love me Ted And ~ Won
want me. ] want to be your wife I aid
not know what ID meant before YOU went
away, dear Ted. But do wish Won bocL
with all my heart do. II I hear ON
you. Ted, ! shall begin my trousseau a.
once, and the wedding shall be whenever
you say. Yours. always, Maude "
The letter was mailed before the girls
slept.
That summer seemed long TO Maude "a
she waited for a reply. Had Ted forro,-
ten herr Surely the letter had had lime
10 reach him long ago. Then one nornin,
just as the autumn tints were cot rlnS
the green foliage la the garden there caroo
a cablcgram. She could hardly watt a.
open g. II contained two words oni,,.
Coming. Ted" Between those two words
the girls read volumes.
Before snow Zen invitations were ON,
FOR The wedding No pretiler bride syo.
wore orange blossoms. As the oraau moan.
ed loudly ihs Triumphant wedding fn8-eb
ana the bridal party passed slowly out M
me church INC rosy litlle bride whisper.
ca 70 her maid u honor,
Madeline, dear, am 80 happy"