The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-08-04

! ...-S., "o''sT' 81 ne "aIL,-I COIirc ,IaL
night. And this she glanced over a
half sheet of rough paper clo;yly COW
crc4-''h2 wrot" 10 thank me for a
| boot: l sent him" She booked up at
| Wilmot. His eyes Wee durl: and in
scrutablc, but he was white t. the lips,
| and she hurried Cn.
There's only one more to read
these are just cards that came with
flowers or books"
She laid them OIL the fire ana smooth
cd out the paper that had lain clinchcd
in her hand so long.
rs that the lustE' asked Wilmot.
with dry lips She nodded, and he
bent to read it.
''1ou are right" it said. quite right
to break with me. There are thou
sand reasons why You should, and the
one reason why YOU shouldn't, my 1--we,
is very worthless reason. l don't
blame you for not considering it.
knew it must be mistake-you were
not for me. You always gave me your
check to kiss-and l didn't want your
cheek
You see" Elizabeth whispered, with
little catch in her voice.
You never really cared for me,
littlest-neVer cared: that is. as you
can care-as you will care some day
for the man who is to come to you.
He need not be Jealous of me, sweet,
when he docs come. Your love for
me was child's love that he will not
want, and that you will not give him.
1 have had my divine day, and it is
over, but no matter who comes-in
spite of the man who is to win where
l have lost-you will remember--I
claim that littlest. for my right-you
will remember when you love him
that l taught you how. l should not
write SO, perhaps, but there are times
when man must speak what he
knows. Keep the few things l have
given you. Don't send them back to
me. Put them in the Sandalwood
box and shut their memories in with
them. l shall keep your letters. God
knows they're few and cold enough.
"Oh, littlcst girl, I'd never let you
go in this worId-if'-
Elizabeth's hand slipped softly into
Wilmot's, where it rested ON the arm
Of her chair. They sat in silence while
the last 'etter fiared up, then sank and
crumbIed.
Il think" at last she said softly,
that he was right You need not be
jealous of him. l was a child then. I
am another self now. When you came
in l had been reading his letters, and
somehow in the dusk and quiet had
slipped out of myself back into the
little girl he used to love. My mind
was full of him and of that little girl,
and couldn't readjust things at once.
Then when you used his very words
it vast was like n ghost You see,
don't you, dear? I'm not disloyal to
you. 1t was just that 1 remembered,
as he said l would"
Il understand" said Wilmot, holding
her close. Il was jealous fool, but
you must admit that it was discomfort
ing to come in and find you reading
over another mans letters the night
before our wedding"
1T was silly, 1 suppose" Elizabeth
admitted. ''but 1 couldn't help it-and
you understand"
Where is he now" asked Wilmot,
kissing the soft wave of her hair. You
won't grow to care for him again, will
you?"
"Oh, viii, hush" the girl whispered,
her cheek against his coat sleeve.
Hes dead, dear. He died that year.
Didn't l tell you at first? l thought
you understood"
The sleet ratified angrily against the
window pane. Earring the quiet of the
shadowy room, and the fire sank and
darkened.
You will remember when you love
him." quoted Wilmot softly, that |
taught you how-poor beggar!!"