The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-08-09
When the Light
Broke In
By virsiniA Leila wents

/
The rusty breasted robins were hop
ping about the lawn, and the crab
apple trees were splash of pink in
| the orchard beyond. The narrow beds
that bordered the paths In Mrs. Orms-
by's garden were gay with tulips and
jonquils, and from the leafless branches
| of the wistaria 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 to have awakened
something In Mrs. Ormsby's caller, q
girl Of six and twenty, as she sat on
rustic chair under the fast silvering
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 1 marry him7" the girl cried
| impulsively.
Mrs. Ormsby waited for her maid to
deposit a plate of thin bread and but
ter, some cream, sliced lemons and
sugar on the little rustic table before
she answered.
do you remember, Glare, when we
were at Nine. Martins school-dear
me, it's eight years ago-an old sOoth-
sayer foretold that you'd marry a mil
nonaire? Now, here's Mr.. Stanley
Hughes, who can give you houses,
yachts, automobiles, and who, in the
bargain, adores you. Why, to be sure,
Glare, you must marry him. He's a
good man, and love will come later"
The girl made no reply. She was
looking dreamily at the robins and the
pink orchard beyond, a mist In her
lovely eyes.
"Of course" continued Mrs. Ormsby
thoughtfully as she drew the tea, II
couldn't have married without love my
self, but you see, my dear, Chester
and 1 are so old fashioned anyhow"
At the mention Of the mans name a
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 wed
ding ring scintillated strangely. With
a distinct effort Glare withdrew her
gaze from it's flashing.
mo-" she said, pulling herself to-
gether, mot lemon, Catherine. Cream,
please"
ITO know what love is is a miracle,
though, after ALL" pursued Mrs. Orms-
by softly as she poured the cream.
''Why, 1 was just silly girl before 1
met Chester. Then-life became glori-
fed; it became realp'
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 voice7
Look here, DEAR" said her hostess
impulsively. II 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,
Glare, pride is we'll enough-one can
have a 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 feur-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.
know Il FOL I 20
a half hour But first l want you to
promise to forget that came perilous-
ly near being sentimental and old fash
Toned, forget that seemed a bit sad.
Why, I'm quite happy, on the contra
ry! I'm going to marry Mr.. Stanley
Hughes. My wedding IL be a smart af-
fair; my gOwn'l be a verItable dream,
and my husband IL be one Of the most
desirable gentlemen of the season.
Humph! Why shouldn't be happy"
Don't go just yet!' pleaded Mrs.
Ormsby, not needing the badinage, but
looking straight into the girls eyes.
"Chesters 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
Glare. She deliberately seated herself |
again.
Catherine" she said whimsically, |
my moods changed. I'll stay, and I'll |
give you Il little Of my confidence, II |
you care. / did love some one once, |
but-he's married now. 1t was some |
thing like this: Imagine a girl who |
Of kfn
OF men or Of the things men do to be |
engaged toto a man whose name |
spelled Paradise to her with a capital |
P. Imagine a friend Of that man and
Of the girl passing lot Of his time |
with them both. Indeed, he CHANGED to |
be such a stanch friend to the girl that |
he refused to permit her to marry a |
man not worthy Of her, though the man |
had been his bosom paP'- II that cat |
bird would only stop singingI It made |
her want to cry.
"Well," continued Glare, he proved |
-nrtain 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 1t 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
ilmy.; sleeve in gentle, sympathetic
fashion. And the man-what did he
say to the note?'
"Never answered it." contemptuous-
y. I'm fact, the girl never heard from
him till she got his wedding cards.
You see-why, don't, Catherine-not for
me-" as Mrs. Ormsby brushed a tear
from her eye. WAS talking like q
tragedy queenr'
The maid came down the garden
walk bearing salver with a card on
It Mrs. Ormsby glanced at the paste
board
Mrs. Brownsley, our neighbor across
the road. How inconsiderate Of herr
she exclaimed. HWait for me here viii