The Somerset reporter., 1905-08-10
When the Light
Broke In
By Virginia Leila Wentz
= Copyright, 1905. by Virginia l.. Wentz
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ping about the lawn, and the crab
apple trees were u splash of pink in
the orchard beyond. The narrow beds
that bordered the paths in Mrs Ornls'
by's garden We're gay with tulips and
Jonquils, and from the leafess branches
OF the Wlstaria vine hung delicate pur-
plish clusters of blossoms. A flock of
brown sparrows twittered in the cherry
trees, a catbird was in the hedge over
yonder, and already the wrens were
building in the caves of the summer
house
Somehow the smell of the sweet
spring air seemed 10 have awakened
something in Mrs Ormsby's caller,
girl of six and twenty, as She sat on
rustic chair under the fast sllvering
naples. 1t was o'clock, and because
the day was so perfect they were hav.
ing tea served in the garden.
but, Constance, If | do not love him
how can l marry him." the girl cried
impusively.
Mrs Ormsby waited for her maid to
deposit plate of thin bread and but
ter, some cream, sliced lemons and
sugar on the little rustic table before
she answered.
DO you remember, Clare, when we
were at Nine. Martins school-dear
me, its eight years ago-an old sooth-
sayer foretold that you'd marry q mil
lionaire? Now, here's Mr.. Stanley
Hughes, who can give you houses
yachts, automobiles, and who, in the
bargain, adores you. Why, to be sure
Clare, you must marry him. Hes u
good man, and love will come later"
The girl made no reply. She was
pink orchard beyond, mist in her
lovely eyes.
"Of course" continued Mrs. Ormsby
thOughtfully as she drew the tea. Il
couldn't have married without love my
self, but you see, my dear, Chester
and | are SO old fashioned anyhow"
At the mention of the mans name Il
quick wave of color surged over the
girls face and neck and brow. In the
sunlight which came aslant from the
west the gold of Mrs. Ormsby's we'd
ding ring scintillated strangely. With
distinct effort Clare withdrew her
gaze from its flashing.
No" she said, pulling herself to-
gether, mot lemon, Catherine. Cream
please"
ITO know what love is is n miracle,
though, after ALL" pursued Mrs. Orms
by softly as she poured the cream
"Nhy, | was just silly girl before
met Chester. Then-life became glori
fed; it became realn'
The catbird had flown to the cherry
trees and had burst out into passion
ate bubble of song Clare's eyes sud
denly brimmed with tears. Was it the
birds song or the springs beauty or
her friends voice?
"Look here, dear" said her hostess
impulsively. Il don't want to force
your confidence, but I'm sure of one
thing-there's been some heart affair
In your life that's hurt deep and left
you cynical Tell me about 1t. Let's
see if we can't straighten it out oh,
Clare, pride is well enough-one can
have certain amount of it and be
none the worse for it-but it's deadly to
make pet of it,"
But there's such thing as righteous
pride" flashed Clare. She bent her
head and adjusted the emerald tleur-de-
lis at her dainty waist; then, rising, she
held out both hands to Mrs. Ormsby
and laughed. 1t was her habitual
light, pretty laugh.
Il really have to go now, Catherine.
You know | told you | could only stay
a half hour But first I want you to
promise to forget that l came perilous-
ly near being sentimental and old fash
toned, forget that l seemed a bit sad.
Why, I'm quite happy, on the contra
ry, I'm going to marry Mr.. Stanley
Hughes. My wedding II be smart af-
fair; my gown'll be a verltable dream,
and my husband ii be one of the most
desirable gentlemen OF the season.
Humph. Why shouldn't l be happy"
Don't go Just yet" pleaded Mrs.
Ormsby, not needing the badinage, but
looking straight into the girls eyes.
"Chester's train is due now, and he'll
be here any moment. / want you to
meet him"
Suddenly, even with the words of her
friend, an impulse took possession Of
Clare. She deliberately seated herself
again.
Catherine" she said whimscaly,
my moods changed. I'll stay, and I'll
give you a little Of my confidence, If
you care. did love some one once,
but-he's married now 1t was some
thing like this: Imagine girl who
knew scarcely anything of the world
of men or of the things men do to be
engaged toto man whose name
spelled Paradise TO her with a capital
P. Imagine a friend of that man and
of the girl passing n lot of his time
with them both. Indeed, he CHANGED to
be such stanch friend to the girl that
he refused to permit her to marry
man not worthy Of her, though the man
had been his bosom pail If that cat
bird would only stop singing! 1t made
her want to cry,
"Well." continued Glare, "he proved
certain things to the girl and she wrote
to the man she loved better than life
and told him that really she did not
care for him at all-that it had all been
a mistake. 1t saved her pride, but it
froze her heart, Catherine"
poor, dear Clare" answered Mrs.
Ormsby, touching the lace on the girls