Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1905-09-07
When the Light
Broke In
By Virginia Leila wentz
Copyright, 1895, by Virginia L. Wentz

Copyright, 1895, by Virginia L. Wentz
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The rusty breasted robins were hop.
ping about the lawn, and the crab
apple trees We're a splash of pink in
the orchard beyond The narrow beds
that bordered the paths in Mrs. Orms,
Dy's garden We're gay with tulips and
jonquils, and from the leatiess 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,
girl of six and twenty, as she sat OH a
rustic chair under the fast silvering
naples. 1t was o'clock, and because
the day was so perfect they We're hav-
ing tea served in the garden.
But Constance, if do not love him
how can l marry him?" the girl cried
impulsively.
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, 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.
Ionaire? 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 o
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 my
self, but you see, my dear, Chester
and / 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 we'd
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, l was just silly girl before
met Chester Then-life became glori-
fed; it became real"'
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. 81 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 it. Let's
see it 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 a thing as righteous
pride" flashed Glare. She bent her
head and adjusted the emerald fleur-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.
II really have to go now, Catherine.
You know l told you | could only stay