Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-08-17
When tie Light
Broke In
By Virginia Leila Wentz
Copyright. 1905, by Virginia l.. Wentz
By Virginia Leila Wentz
Copyright. 1905, by Virginia l.. Wentz
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

The rusty breasted robins were hop
ping about the lawn, and the crab
apple trees were a splash Of pink in
the orchard beyond. The narrow beds
that bordered the paths In Mrs. Orms-
by's garden were gag 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, 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. a
girl Of six and twenty. as she sat on a
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. II do not love him
how can | marry hlmY' the girl cried
impulslvely.
Mrs. Ormsby waited for her maid to
ter. some cream, sliced lemons and
sugar on the little rustic table before
Ehe answered.
"Do you remember, Clare, when we
were at Nine. Martins school-dear
Ine. It's eight years ago-an old sooth-
sayer foretold that you'd marry a mil
iionaire? 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. He's
good man, and love will come later"
The girl made no reply. She was
looking dreamily at the robins and the
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 N.Y.
self, but you see, my dear, Chester
and are so old fashioned anyhow"
At the mention OF the mans name q
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
. distinct effort Glare withdrew her
gaze from its flashing.
NO" she said, pulling herself to-
gether, mot lemon, Catherine. Cream.
please"
ITO know what love is Is miracle,
though, after ALL" pursued Mrs. Orms-
by softly as she poured the cream.
why, was Just silly girl before
met Chester. Then-life became glori-
fled; 1t became realr'
The catbIrd had flown to the cherry
trees and had burst out into a passion
ate hubble OF song Clare's eyes sud-
denly brlmmed with tears. Was II the
birds song or the springs beauty or
her friends voicel
Look here. DEAR said her hostess
impulslvely. 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
zee H we can't straighten 1t out. Oh,
tQlNze. pride Ia well enough one can
Lave 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 az righteous
PRIDE" flashed Clare. She bent her
head and adjusted the emerald feur-de-
lis ut her dainty waist; then, rising. she
h~sd x~x.< 1~x.<h horAx - NJ. C-~x.n~~
and laughed. 1t was her habitual
light. pretty laugh.
II really have TO 60 now, Catherine
You know told you could only stay
. haR hour. But first l want you to
promise to forget that came perilous-
" near being sentimental and old fash
Toned. forget that / seemed bit sad.
Why. I'm quite happy. on the contra
ryl I'm going to marry Mr.. Stanley
Hughes. My wedding II be a smart af-
fair; my gown'll be veritable dream,
and my husband III be one OF the most
desirable gentlemen OF the season.
Humph! Why shouldn't l be happy?''
"Don't 60 Just yet!'' pleaded Mrs.
Ormsby, not needing the badinage, but
zeoking straight into the girls eyes.
s'Chester's train n due now. and he'll
b here any moment. ! want you to
meet him."
Suddenly. even with the words Of her
friend, an impulse took p9ssession Of
Glare she deliberately seated herself
again.
''Catherine." she said whimsically.