The Democratic advocate., 1908-06-05
:olld drink and wherew1thaI she
1uld be clothed

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 a woman.
But, joking aside, I don't think she's
an awfully good sort, and I'm fonder
of her than any other girl I know.
This is very pleasant day. Can't you
come for a row on the river, Hetty?"
"N-no. 1 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 I 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. 81 promised not to say any
thing until Ruth told you, butt
II understand" said Hetty softly.
"Did she tell your" he asked
"NOt in so many words, but I think
she meant me to understand. I am so
glad"
'It began last winter" said Fred.
"I'm glad too. I think we're all going
to be very happy"
"Aunt Mehitable," broke in Ruth's
crisp voice, "here's q 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-
gether, she thought. Something in the
sight stirred a strain of sadness in
uCI. Sue Seeueu " ICdllLS 1OA tAC hlSI
time that she had been cheated out of
her girlhood.
Absorbed in her sad musings, she
absentmindedly took a turning which
made her drive longer by half mile.
When she reached the station Mr..
Stirling had already started for the
Pines.
Hetty drove back slowly. The full
moon arose and the air was sweet
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 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
Ruth's kiss Fred would remember
now.
Hetty sat down on a rustic seat I'M
der live oak. The meaning of it all
swept over her. She was thirty-four,
and there had never been moonlight
or a rose garden for her. She had al
ways left love out Of her plans for
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 unlived years-alone and
old Her eyes filled 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.
''Tell me what the trouble is. Don't
you want dad to have Ruth? Why.
r.
"Your fatherv' gasped Hetty. 'Is
that who she's with?"
"Why, of course" said Fred. ''I told
you all about it."
Hetty sprang up in astonishment.
81 expected her to marry you," she
cried.
He laughed softly.
81 didn't. She knew all along that 1
wanted to marry you. She's been do
ing all she could to make the match.
She knew you needed some one to
look after you"