The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-04-20
...The...
EASTER LILIES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
81 RUNETTA ROTH burst uncere-
IS moniously into her friends room.
~ "Mary," she cried, ''is 1t possi-
tle you have refused Christopher Pat
tonY'
Mary Vane, a tall, pretty girl, who
was adjusting ner fur collarette before
the mirror, turned quickly, her soft
cheeks flushing scarlet.
why, Brunetta," she exclaimed,
'how can you expect me to answer such
a question:
Brunetta, who was small and stout.
and attired in the height of the prevail
ing mode, sank down in a chair and
laughed.
Il didn't expect you to answer 1t.
There is no necessity you should do so.
Mr.. Patton told Tom last night that
you had thrown him over. l don't see
how your conscience allowed you to act
so. He is such a catch-young and good
looking. Best Of all, he is enormously
wealthy"
Mary smiled as she speared crown
Of her demure little turban with long
pin. She was thinking of man who
was no longer young-near forty, per
haps-who was handsomer in her eyes
than all other men, and who was by no
means wealthy.
II really believe" went on Miss Roth,
''that you have an absurd fancy for
Charlie Everett do, indeed''
Mary's smile became quizzical.
"Really?'' she said.
"Oh, have no patience with you!'
declared Brunetta, wrathfully. you've
known Charlie Everett three or four
years. All this time he has been most
devoted to you, but not one of your
friends knows to this day whether you
are engaged or not"
The smile faded from Mary's lips.
eve are not" she answered, and the
gay little cousin fancied her tone was
| sad.
"And yet you have been more gra-
cious to him than to any of the others, y
| pursued Miss Roth, relentlessly. Mary,
are you in love with himf"
| 'Isn't that" counter-questioned Mary,
| evastirely, "what the lawyers would call
a leading question? don't wish to seem
| rude, or to hurry you, Brunetta, but
have an engagement to sign some papers
| this afternoon at the Office of Deal &
| Burrit. Can't you come with meY'
"Yes. I must see Nine. Bireau about
my Easter hat. One must arrange with
her in time, as she is always rushed
with orders. Are those papers connected
| with your uncle's will?'
| "He left you everything! What a
\ -:-l
feel you can afford to marry whom you
| please"
The conversation again turned on
| Charlie Everett as the girls rode down
town together on the Metropolitan Ele
waited.
He is amysterious fellow" Brunetta
| remarked.
"Mysterious! Mary sent her sud
| den look of inquiry. What do you
meanT
swell, there really is reason why he
| should be considered good deal of ar
| enigma. While not wealthy like Chris
topher Patton, Tom tells me he has 9
good salary, and adds to this by writings
But you know he does not spend money
as other men in our class do. He is moi
| liberal in the matter Of theaters or flow
ers. He lives quietly. He has no expen
| siye habits. Where, then, does his money
go?'
| Mary Vane was silent
"There is one house In the suburb:
| where be is known to frequently visit,
the other went on. Brunetta, as will bt
observed, was not above enjoying gos
sip. 1.-TWO women live there. One ii
apparently a superior sort of a servant
The other is a pretty, delicate-lookins
little creature of about twenty-five ol
thereabouts. Occasionally Mr.. Everett
takes her driving through the parks. Ha,
he ever mentioned her to you?'
| Mary forced herself to answer: NO.
"Nor to anyone else. But have seer
him out with her. Who is she?"
A feeling of unrest, an undefinablt
| fear, thrilled the heart of Mary Vane
She recalled the night Charlie Everett
| had told her of his love. Il cannot now
ask you to be my wife" he had said
II will some day, God willing. The time
may not be far off, but / love you toe
we'll to bind you by promise you NIGH
later find burdensome. And yet-dear
you will trust me and waltz
II will wait for you till I die!' shs
had replied, and had questioned him moi
at all.
| Then he had protested that this wa:
not an engagement-that she was free
quite free. Only he was bound.
"Very WE'LL" she had agreed. ave
are not engaged"
| But the understanding that existed
between them was sweet to both.
That was year ago.
| And now she had to acknowledge t.
herself that she knew little more of hi:
private life or of his personal affair.
than she knew then. She was unusually
silent as she and Brunetta descended
the steps and walked together to the law
| yer's Office. Her errand there attended
| to, Mary vane went with Brunetta tt
see about the latter's Easter hat. Thei
the two walked down State street JUS
as the matines-goers were focking from
the theaters.
Brunetta paused suddenly before {
florists window.
20, had almost forgotten! Mammi
told me to order some flowers for to
morrow. VIII you come in with met?
They stood q few minutes admirins
the display in the window. the COLDER
daffodils. and shy blue crocuses, pur
lilies of the valley, Haunting tulips
starry jasmine. and cool green fern
forming a tender background for then
all. The attendants were busy whel
] fhey antarAd. Tho girls stood back Of