The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-06-10

should drink and wherewithal she
should be clothed.
Ruth Is SO systematic said Hetty
Loyalty when Fred awkwardly attempt
ed to condole with her. "She has such
executive ability. She's really wonder
full"
'She is, indeed" Fred assented.
''She Is a perfect example of what the
higher education can do for u woman.
But, joking aside, | don't think she's
an awfully good sort, and I'm fonder
of her than any other girl l know.
This is a very pleasant day. Can't you
come for row on the river, Hettyf"
"N-no. | have some work that must
be attended to-" she faltered.
You haven't given me any of your
attention since I've been here" he
complained You're not treating me
| right, Hetty."
But Ruth Hetty began In sur
prise.
| Fred rose to his feet,
"Hetty," he said, 81 want you to
know something When | left for the
| MtSts Nbd hlssto iht EppNoS oht
know you felt nothing but friendship
for your old playfellow, and 1t sounds
| silly TO say, but it's true, I've never
| kissed another woman. | meant to tell
| you some day, and now that He
paused. Il promised not TO say any
| thing until Ruth told you. but
Il understand" said Hetty softly.
Did she tell your he asked
Not In SO many words. but l think
| she meant me to understand. | am so
glad"
| at began last winter" said Fred
''I'm glad too. | think we're all going
to be very happy"
Aunt Mehitable" broke In Ruth's
crisp voice, there's telegram from
| Mr. Stirling He will arrive this even
| ing"
The Interruption was welcome to
Hetty. She felt that she could not
have endured another word.
Hetty spent the remainder Of the
day In her room. Fred and Ruth
waved their hands gayly when she
drove off to the station to meet Mr..
Stirling How well they look to-
gether, she thought. Something the
sight stirred strain of sadness In
her She seemed to realize for the first
time that she had been cheated out of
her glrlhood
Absorbed In her sad musings, she
ahsentmindedly took turning which
made her drive longer by half mile.
When she reached the station Mr..
Stirling had already started for the
| Pines.
uetty drove back slowly The full
moon arose and the air was sweet
With the scent of roses, but Ietty had
no thoughts for the beauty of the
night
She threw the relns to the stable
boy and took short cut for the
house. She was In no mood to join
the family party und intended to go
quietly to her room.
AS she passed the rose garden she
caught sight of Ruth's white dress In
. the shrubbery. Ruth's face was up
, turned to her companion. and--yes, he
had taken her In his arms. 1t was
. Ruths kiss Fred would remember
now
Ietty sat down on a rustic seat I'M
der live oak. The meaning of 1t all
swept over her She was thirty four,
and there had never been moonlight
or II rose garden for her. She had al
ways left love out of her plans for
herself, aud now II was Fred. Ruth's
Fred, out there in the rose garden,
and she was alone with the emptiness
of thirty-four unllyed years alone and
old Her eyes filed with scalding
tears, and she sobbed aloud
why. Hetty, what on earth are you
crying about"
Fred sat down beside her and gath
cred her In his arms
Don't cry dearest" he implored.
"rell me whit the trouble Is. Don't
you want dad to have Ruth? Why,
| p
"Your father!' gasped Hetty. rs
that who she's WITH
"Why, of COURSE" said Fred ~ told
you all about It."
IIetty sprang up In establishment
Il expected her to marry you" she
cried.
lie laughed softly.
81 didn't. She knew all along that
wanted to marry you She's been do
Ing ull she could to make the match.
She knew you needed some one to
look after you"