Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-10-20


mere joy until she abruptly remem-
be4ed that in woman of thirty eight
such behavior, was shockingly frivo-
lous, and resolving to be more digni-
fed she grew suddenly pensiye.
1t was a soft April day. The ten
der greens and misty grays of the
park were like a wistful promise of
beauties to come. In the air the damp.
earthly smells of early spring fioated,
the sweet breath OF the soil as it
awakened from its winter trance.
With sigh of enjoyment she seated
herself on one of the green benches,
and Barton took his place beside her.
For some moments they sat gazing ut
the scene before them il dreamy 81
lence. taking in long whiffs Of the
soft air with sensuous delight. The
blurred, faint loneliness of it all be
spoke faiFyland
He did not speak, but she knew that
he was watching her intently. With
sort of helpless, bewildered dismay
she realized that she was flushing like
schoolgirl "a woman of thirty
eight" she tainted herself savage
", .'tbirty-eight, thirty-eight, thirty,
eighth But it was no use She flush
ed and flushed until she longed wild
~ for an earthquake, for any deliver
ance that would rescue her from the
nbsurdity of her position. But none
came, and with lips that quivered with
annoyance she tried to form some di-
verting, impersonal remark.
A big, firm hand closed over hers.
and Stuart Barton looked down at her
like triumphant young god.
II know what you are going to say.
he began, but it's no use. love you,
and I'm old enough to know my own
mind This is an exceptional case,
and there's no use of your tormenting
yourself and me by bothering about
outrages. I am certainly going to mar
ry you, so you might just as well make
up your mind to it,"
He paused for breath, and, though
she eyed him in disdainful silence
dangerous excitement, a triumphant
happiness, danced in her blood, and
she dared not trust herself to speak.
'fYou love me-you know you do,
Alice he resumed exultantly, and at
the protest that she tried her best to
make convincing he only laughed in
diligently. With a shock it came to
her that he was right She did love
him. When she spoke moment later
her voice was very low and tense.
eve won't talk of it any more now,
Stuart" she said. laying her hand on
his arm, but year from now, if you
feel the same-no, don't interrupt,
You think you will, but you don't
know. Don't you suppose it is hard
for me?" And she looked straight in
his eyes with an expression he thought
to remember always. But youth has
ever a poor memory, and year con-
tains $50 days.
s'I'm going away Immediately" she
continued, with a little break in her
voice, as she realized what life would
seem without him. For a year shall
drop out Of existence, so far as you
are concerned. But at the end of that
time"
A year had passed and another had
begun before Stuart Barton found
himself again in that particular part
of the park AS before, he was ac-
companied by a lady, young, proud
and superb looking, and as they seat
ed themselves on the identical green
bench that he had occupied on q for
mer momentous occasion he awaited
anxiously for the reply that she had
promised him. Later, the first furry
of excitement over, she looked at him
with an inquiring face.
sYou were awfully attentive to that
Miss Milford last year" she remarked
tentatively. Il always wondered what
you could see iii a woman so much
your senior
CONSERVATION seized Barton. Now
he knew why the spot had vaguely
haunted him; why it reminded him of
something once vivid, but now forgot
ten. His face went pale
"she was a lovely woman" he said
quietly.
"she doesn't know that | gave him
to her. murmured Miss Milford when
she heard of her truant lovers en-
gagement to Miss Selwyn. Then as
two tears brimmed up in her eyes and
rolled down her cheeks she exclaimed
emphatically, you idiotr' and then
her face went down to her hands.
The Rainfall.