Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-06-03

you mean to pretend that you don't
want Fred to be fond of your
why, of course asserted Ruth as
she rose to leave the room. ''Of course
hope Fred Is going TO be fond of me.
/ shall have that feather bed taken up
to the garnet tomorrow morning, Aunt
Mehitable."
In the days that followed Hetty
found herself taken in hand and look
ed after" with a thoroughness that re-
duced her to the verge of melancholia
All her actions and movements were
regulated by her energetic niece, who
decided what she should eat. what she
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 perfect example of what the
| higher education can do for q woman.
But, joking aside, l don't think she's
an awfully good sort, and I'm fonder
Of her than anv other girl l know.
This is a very pleasant day. Can't
you come for a row on the river,
Hetty?"
"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, II want you to
know something. When / left for the
west, you kissed me goodby. Oh,
know you felt nothing but friendship
/, for your old playfellow, and it sounds
silly to say, but it's true, I've never
kissed another woman. I meant to tell
you some day, and now that He
paused. II promised not to say any
thing until Ruth told you. but
II understand" said Hetty softly.
Ibid she tell your he asked
mot in so many words, but think
she meant me to understand. 1 am so
glad"
sit began last winter" said Fred.
I'm glad too. l think we're all going
to be very happy"
"Aunt Mehitable," broke in Ruth's
crisp voice, here's a 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 looked to-
getheF, she thought. Something in the
sight stirred strain of sadness In
her. She seemed to realize for the first
time that she had been cheated out of
her girlhood.
| Absorbed in her sad musings, she
absentmindedly took q turning which
made her drive longer by half a mile.
When she reached the station Mr.
Stirling had already started for the
Pines.
Hetty drove back slowly: The full
| moon arose anu the air was SWEEP
with the scent of roses, but Hetty had
no thoughts for the beauty of the
night.
She threw the reins to the stable
boy and took a short cut for the
house. She was in no mood to join
the family party and intended to &c
quietly to her room.
AS she passed the rose garden she
caught sight of Ruth's white dress IL
he shrubbery. Ruth's face was up
prned to her companion. and-yes, he
Sad taken her in his arms. 1t was
Ruth's kiss Fred would remembei
now.
Hetty sat down on II rustic seat un
der a live oak. The meaning of it al
swept over her. She was thirty four
and there had never been moonlight
or, rose garden for her She had al
ways left love out of her plans fol
herself. and now it was Fred. Ruth's
Fred, out there in the rose garden
and she was alone with the emptiness
} of thirty-four unlfyed years-alone and