Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-02-28
1T night
HAVE been.
An Unusual Story of a
Love Affair.
~ WO figures came saunterlns
across a field. 1t was hot
midsummer and the hay was

one OF the dellcute Dlue DutttfnleS nov
ering faithfully around the fading
meadowsweet. Her blue frock, blue
eyes and tuttering blue sunshade made
a pleasant touch Of color.
The man gazed at her with passion
ate eyes. He had watched this fral,
fairy-like creature grow up at his side;
they had been close friends since child.
hood, ard to-day especially the old
recollections crowded to his mind.
"lf you would wait for me- he wills.
pered, Il might make money in time,
l would work very hard and with YOU
at my side---'
She clasped her small white hands
| pleadinSly; the blue veins showed
through them with painful distinct
ness.
Don't, Dick, dear Dick. ever think
of it again! l am so fond OF life!
must live
"You speak as if l had suggested
| killing you" he said in an injured
tone.
NO, no. But you must understand.
l am so horribly delicate, it would
be madness for poor man to marry
me. / always have to winter In the
South Of France. / need luXuries; they
are fatal necessity to my existence.
You want quite different wife"
NO, l DON'T
"SOme one strong and capable"
81 want you"
His voice shook; his brow cloudcd
suddenly with the dark shadow of
despair.
"Oh. Dick she murmured, "have
hurt you SO deeply:"
He answered almost roughly. and
though he looked Mt her, he could not
see her face for the mist before his
eyes.
You misled me, Lily" he said; "un-
consciously, 10 doubt, yet at times it
seemed you would not let me escape.
When ! tried to go you asked Inc to
remain; you did not weigh the conse-
quences. was Il TOY in your hands.
If you had realized what you We're do
ing. you might have spared me-"
They had crossed the field and
reached little iron gate into Lilian's
garden. He opened 1t for her, stepping
back to let her pass.
| Wont you come in?"
The words rose naturally to her lips.
giving color to his compiaint-"Yo
asked me to remain
NO." he replied sharply. II am 60
Ing. Goodby"
You have no right to be angry; it
isn't as If / did not care"
But you care so little"
His face had lost every vestige of
color; he trembled as he spoke.
II have always loved you," she de.
clare d: "but marriage is impossible.
You think me henrtless, mercenary,
because cannot face life Of poverty.
Men are very selfish; they expect so
much of women
He took her hand silently. held 1t n
moment with eyes fixed OH the ground
and then went back across the hay
slowly, under the glare of the hot mid
summer sun.
A year had drifted away, and again
1t was midsummer.
"In the country" thought Lillian,
"the hay is down."
She was enjoying the manifold de-
lights of a London sea son as the tinncce
would make most desirable hus
band"
Lillian will have everything she
wants." they told their friends. "Shc
can now look forward to life OF
perfect ease and personal indulgence
We always dreaded her marrying Il
poor man."
II must see Dick once more before
my wedding" she told herself. "Deal
old Dickw
She thought the matter out, and hel
desire for a sight Of his face Oyercnmt
her better Judgment. Strange she
should wish to stir to life those Stun
boring memories! But somehow the
scent Of last years hay still fingered
the midsummer sun glistened tempt
ingly upon the dainty curtains Of hel
boudoir.
AS If brain wave sped through thu
air, at that same hour Dick, knowing
she belonged to another paced hi
small room in PimlicO, and thought q
her. Lilian's photograph stood on hi
writing table, a sad little face will
large eyes crowned by halo Of fai
fluffy hair.
II must see her again." he said, Gus
once before she is married.
He glanced at the clock. Perhaps III
might find her in the park, catch
glimpse of her as she passed in her car
riage. He hated the fashionable world
with its lavish display of wealth ant
grandeur but for a sight of Lillian h
mounted a humble omnibus and trav
eled on it to Hyde Park Corner.
He felt certain she would be there
and his heart warmed toward he
with n great longing.
"She is the victim of circumstances,
he told himself; "otherwise-'it nigh
have been""
A victoria containing lady alon
drew up at the door of Dicks lodg
ings.
Lillian stepped out and nervously as
cended the steps. She knew she wa
doing wrong.
us Mr.. Urquhart at home?" sh
asked nervously, conscious that he
voice faltered. and her cheeks gre,
crimson rs she put the question to
stout landlady whose clephantinc pre-
portions blocked the doorway.
"No. miss: he went out about te
minutes ago.
Iilian's fann foil q SnnSn of hitia