The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-02-27


meadOwsweet. Her blue frock, blue
eyes and huttering blue sunshade made
pleasant touch Of color.
The man gazcd at her with passion
ate eyes. lie had watched this frail
fairy-Iike creature grow up at his side;
they had been close friends since child.
hood and today especially the old
| recollections crowded to his mind
IF you would wait for me-" he wh,s.
pered. II might make money in time.
| would work very hard and with you
AT my side"
She clasped her small white hands
pleadiDgly, the blue veins showed
through them with painful distinct
ness.
Don't Dick, dear Dick, ever think
Of it again! | am 50 fond Of life, /
must live"
you speak as if | had suggested
killing you" he said in an injured
tone.
mo, no. But you must understand.
/ am so horribly delicate. 1t would
be madness for poor man 10 marry
hlNhgS hhN' w NlblfI III lllf
South Of France. ! need luXuries; they
are fatal necessity TO my existence
You want quite different wife"
mo, 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 at her, nc could not
see her face for the mist before his
eyes.
You misled me, Lily" he said; "un-
consciously, no doubt, yet at times It
seemed you would not let me escape.
When | tried 10 go you asked me to
remain; you did not weigh the conse-
! qucnces. | was a toy in your hands
IL you had realized what you were do
! Ing, you might have spared me"
They had crossed the field and
reached little iron gate into Lillan's
garden. He opened it for her, stepping
back to let her pass.
Wont you come in?"
The words rose naturally TO her lips,
giving color to his complaiut-"You
asked me to remain"
NO" he replied sharply. IL am 60
ing. Good-by.'
you have no right TO bc angry; it
/ isn't rs If | did not care"
But you care SO little"
His face had lost every vCStige Of
color: he trcmblcd as he spoke.
81 have always loved you" she de.
clarcd: "but marriage is impossible.
You think me hcartlcss. merccnary,
because cannot face a life of poverty.
Men are very selfish; they expect SO
much of women"
He took her hand silently. held II a
moment with eyes fixed on 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
II was midsummer.
j "ln the country" thought Lillian,
''thc hay is down"
She was enjoying the manifold de
lights OF n London season as the fiancCC
Of n man whom her parents explained
would make most desirable huS.
band"
Lillian will have everything she
wants" they told their friends. "Shc
can now look forward TO n life OF
perfect ease and personal Indulgence.
We always dreaded her marrying a
poor man"
II must see Dick once more before
my wedding" she told herself. "Dear
old Dick"
She thought the matter out. and her
desire for sight Of his face ovcrcame
her better judgment Strange she
should wish To stir TO life those slum-
bering memories! But somehow the
scent OF last years hay still fingered.
the midsummer sun giistcncd tempt.
ingly upon the dainty curtains OF her
boudor.
As if n brain wave sped through the
air. az that same hour Dick. knowing
she belonged 10 another. paced his
small room in PimliCo. and thought oi
her. Lilian's photograph stood on his
writing table. sad little face with
large eyes crowned 10y halo of fair
fluffy hair.
Il must see her again" he said. Jus,
once before she Is married"
lie glanced at the clock. Perhaps be
might find her in the park. catch q
glimpse OF her rs she passed i'm her car
riagc. lie hated the fashionable world
with its lavish display OF wealth and
grandeur: hut for sight OF Lillian n,
mounted a humble omnibus and tTav
eled on It TO Hyde Park Corner.
lie felt certain she would be there
and his heart warmed toward hel
with n great longing -,
"She Is the victim OF circumstances.
he told himself: ''othcrwise-'it nigh
have hccn""
A victoria containing n lady alon,
drew UP at the Coor OF Dicks lods
ings
Lillian stepped out a1d nervously as
cendcd the steps. She knew she wa
doing wrong.
"Is Mr.. Urquhart at home?" sh
asked ncrvously. conscious that he
voice faltcrcd. and her checks grew
crimson as she put the question 10