Middletown transcript., 1907-09-21
NOT MISS TOMBSTONE

which had grown white with heal
and fatigue. And now she was
called upon to go through one Of
the bitterest experiences awoman
can haye-the trial of listening
to the man she loved tell her Of
his love for someone else. II
only he would leave her now, she
might gain strength for what lay
before her. But he fingered by
the table, saying little, but watch.
ing all her movements. And
even such abstracted observance
as his fiurried Marion.
/ wish, she said at last, that
you would just go around and see
if anyone wants more tea. / am
certain / have poured out enough
cups for everyone to have had
at least three each. But this hot
weather makes everyone thirsty.
I utterly refuse to go in search
of any more work for you! The
people are beginning to go, thank
goodness. What pleasure you
have had this afternoon fail tc
see.
Everyone has come up and
spoken to me. / have not been
at all dull.
They came up when they
wanted something, / suppose.
| Douglas Ashton spoke quite
savagely.
Marion laughed little mirth.
less laugh.
| You are only vexed because
you are in q hurry to speak to
me-to tell me this little piece Of
news. At present I really am
too tired to listen. So if you
want me 70 be at all a sympa'
thetie listeneraI must ask you to
60 away while | ebt'ect my failing
energies.
Douglas looked at her sharply
la sudden frown upon his face.
just now you told me You were
| not at all tired.
Oh, one often says things one
does not mean.
Not to old friends.
Sometimes even to old friends.
Now, Mr.. Ashton, I am going
to sit down in this chair which
they have kindly provided for
me, and have a good rest. So
goodbye for the present.
II Imust-good- bye.
Tears were horribly close to
Marion's brown eyes. She bur-
rowed down amongst the china
in the basket while they flowed
back unshsd. Then she sat down
on the wicker chair, and glanced
across the lawn to where the tall
figure was making its way to the
little group which comprised the
Rector, the curate and Mrs. John
stone.
/ thought he would 60 there,
she told herself.
Only within the last eighteen
months had her love for this old
friend of her childhood revealed
itself for what it was. They had
grown up together, played with
each other, teased each other,
and had long partings at school
and college terms. About a year
previously he had gone away to
take a position in the West, and
life for Marion-the niece and de-
pendent of the stingy Mrs. Wood.
ford-suddenly grew dark as
night. Then Douglas had come
back, invalided after an accident,
for two mouths rest /; and Marion
felt as only woman feels when
the man she loves is near and
suffered as only q woman can
suffer when she sees frank friend
ship held out to her instead of
the great and glorious gift Of
love. For q while it did not pain
her much. She hid her secret
sas ssss it it asElHPF I've IS must be hidden by :
woman who would keep her dig
nifty, and she was in a way very
happy. There was no one else
that was q great consolation.
And she was always meeting her
hero somewhere. All their
friends were mutual. And her
aunt's house was within a-stone's
throw of his mothers. He would |
stroll in for tea in the garden, |
and would tell her all about him.
self and his plans. She never
wanted to talk about herself /; but
every detail Of his life was of |
absorbing interest to her. And
this arrangement seemed very
satisfactory to both, but they
were no longer 'sMarion" and
Douglas to each other. Long
partings had brought about a