The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-05-20
THE PASSING OF THE
SUMNER BOARDER
By TEMPLE BAILEY
Copyright, 1907, bu 4. C. Mcclure


Miss fremont held Corneiia In her
arms for moment as she kissed her.
The figure of the girl was rigid, and
the lips she touched were cold, but
Miss fremont did not notice the lack
of enthusiasm. She was used to con-
quests. and she was sure Nellie loved
her.
She whispered In the girls ear. Her
voice was penetrating, and, as she In
tended, the clear tones reached the ear
of the man who stood close by.
"When you are married, let me
know, and | will come and dance at
your wedding" was what she said
Then she gathered up her rustllng
skirts and waved her bunch of Ameri-
can Beauties at the pair, and the coach
drove off.
Cornelia turned TO the man beside
her
Did you hear what she said?"
Yes" he answered absently, his
eyes on the flutterlng bit of white veil
far down the road.
We'll, she needn't have said it.
shan't let her know"
The man turned, his sunburned face
showing his surprise.
Il thought you liked Miss fremont"
$50 did, and do yet. but tell you
now, Dave Clinton. that If mother
takes boarders again next summer l
shall go away and stay" Her voice
was fierce.
An uneasy look came into the blue
eyes of the young farmer.
And leave me?" He tried to ask the
question easily, but his voice was not
steady.
She laid her hand ON his arm, with
kind of doubling appeal.
Would you care IL went--lf she
was here?"
The man shifted his position uneas-
lily. Il don't see that you are called
upon to ask me that question. Nelie."
he said.
but do ask it, Her fingers were
locking each other nervously. ~ did
like her" she went on, "for she is SO
beautiful, and she interested me-untIl
you began to notice her.
He tried to take her hand, but she
flung herself away from him. Then for
a moment there was tense silence.
II love you, Nellie" he said at last.
you don't. you don'tl You love herr
she cried passionately. "And wish we
had never seen her" She ran swiftly
up the path and shut the door of the
house behind her.
That night the family sat down at q
small table in the big Kitchen. The din
ing room had been restored to Its origi-
nal position as living room, and the
warmed over potatoes and eggs. with
one kind of preserve, announced the
return of plain living.
After supper Nellie washed the dishes
In the big pantry Just outside the
kitchen. Her mother was in the milk
room, skimming, so when Dave came
and stood beside her they were alone.
whats the matter, Neler he said.
Are you mad at meY
She raised her blue eyes.
mo, Dave" she said quietly.
She poured some hot water into her
pan so recklessly that her fingers were
burned, and she uttered an involuntary
cry.
Dave reached over and took them,
red and wet as they were.
Poor little fingers!' he said.
Nelie's eyes blazed. II won't have
your pity, Dave Cllnton" Her voice
was hushed, but vehement.
Without another word the man turn
ed away, but she called him back In
whisper.
II want to see you when finish. I'll
come down to the orchard seat"
The orchard was spicy with the scent
of apples, and under the moonlight the
great red globes showed dark in the
shadow of the leaves. Dave sat on
natural bench made by the gnarled
trunks of two old apple trees and
watched Nellie come down the path.
He rose to meet her and put his arm
around her, but she thrust him aside
with little, impatient gesture.
Then she sat down and looked up at
him as he stood in front of her.
ut isn't that l am jealous" she be-
gan, as II their conversation Of the aft
ernoon had not been interrupted, "but
it's because / can never be the same
to you, no matter IL you do think you
love me. You have seen Miss Ire
mont, and now, always, she will be
the most beautiful woman in the world
to YOU
"She is beautiful woman" he as
scented grayely.
Eyes, and before she came you
thought my hands were pretty-my
little, red, rough hands'-her voice
broke-"and you admired my hair and
the little dresses made myself. am
not blaming you" she went on, "but
you had never seen a woman like her.
/ hadn't, either, and you were carried
away just as l was. But don't you
see that l want to be first with your
"You are first, Nelie," he said grave
ly.
But l haven't wonderful eyes like
hers, and l can't use them as she does.
I can't say the right thing as she does
IN her soft voice. And her perfumes!
VIII you ever smell q violet again,
Dave, without thinking of her? VIII
your
He smoothed her hand soothingly and
said nothing.
did you eyer see such dresses and
beautiful shoes? / was ashamed all
the time, and wore my best slippers ey-
cry day. She was like rose-one Of
the big, beautiful roses that were sent
her from town so often"
She went ON in sobbing monotone,
while the mans face was white and
set.
"And now It will be her that you
love and not me. OF course you will
marry me because you couldn't marry
her; You are not her kind. But don't
want your pity. That's why / am go
ing to give this back" She stripped
little garnet ring from her third finger