The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-02-29
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Boston to make a few last purchases
for her simple wedding outfit. A hum
BILE little music teacher was Edna, and
her life had been none too pleasant or
easy during the 20 years she had
struggled with existence. Belonging
to a family Of reduced gentility, music
had been her one accomplishment and
when at the age Of is she vas berett
of friends and fortune, she had turned
to it as a means Of support. Two years
of hard work, petty trials and many
disappointments had 80 disheartened
Edna that life seemed hardly worth
living. when an unexpected offer OF
marriage opened the door Of escape.
John Humphrey was a man OF mid
die age, a widower and the father OF
one Of Edna's pupils. Rich, infiuen-
tial and a man Of extreme respectable
ity. his offer Of marriage to the hum
Bile little music teacher was in his OVID
eyes, and those of his friends, a great
c~ondescension. Considerably surprised
and confused, Edna sought to find
words to answer his proposal in the
negative, as her instinct naturally die
tated, but John Humphrey was not a
man to take no for an answer. Al
though not as ardent as a young
lover in his wooing, his affectionate,
fatherly kindness touched poor Edna's
lonely heart, and worn and weary
with her struggles with poverty, she
yielded to his wishes, and the wedding
day was set.
The day was drawing to Il close
when she entered the homeward-bound
train and found it crowded to its ut
most capacity. Grasping the back Of
a seat for security as the train started
she resigned herself to standing Till
vacancy was made at the next sta
ton.
CHANGING about the car, her eyei
were caught and held by the stead.
gaze of another pair reflected in tn
mirror at the farther end of the car
and which belonged to a gentlemal
seated directly behind her. Slight
confused she dropped her eyes, bu
only to shortly lift them again t
those in the mirror, which seemed t
compel her against her will to retur
their gaze. As she looked, she forge
her embarrassment and was conseiou
only of the strange fascination Of tn
face before her. Clear-cut and pal
the features were almost feminine
their beauty. A heavy blonde mu
4 tache hid the mouth, but the blue eye
seemed to deepen and darken till the
looked almost black to Edna's rivete
gaze.
y Impatient at her folly in thus starir
so persistently at a stranger, she su
denly changed her position, but as 81
v turned about she looked full into Il
living eyes whose reflection had
disturbed her.
"Allow me-" said the gentlema
hastily rising and offering her /
seat. and Edna, losing for the nome
her ready wits, dropped into it vii
out a word. Her usually clear bra
= seemed confused and was struggli
D to right itself. Was it the inluen
of the gentleman standing near h
or the ~undefnable feeling Of son
thing about to happen, that overcai
her so? For the next instant Ed
RI together with the other occupants
the car. was thrown violently FIR,
her e a as the train left the ira
jumping from tie to tie and plungl
e of into the gravel on one side.
broken rail was the u of the n
hap. and for a time all was confus
and wild excitement. A terrible p
went through Edna's head as it STIR
against some hard substance, then
was darkness and she knew no me
When she opened her eyes the SCI
had changed and Edna looked alb
her like one in a dream. The walls
a plain, but comfortably furnis.
room surrounded her, while the h
mattress usually found on a hotel
held her bruised form.
care you better now?' asked
quiet. masculine voice that to Ed
5 returning senses seemed to belong
some familiar friend, and looking
the sneaker she met nj more
Id an glance of those deep blue eyes
MS had SO impressed her but a short I
before. The whole face seemed
familiar that u~nconsciously she SIN
. a little as she answered family
cir Yves. l think So
Miss Farwell, can I do aaythin
lEk help your"
? Edna's hands dropped from her
as. for the second time, he repe
her name.
elbow do you know my name?'
asked abruptly
q ~ think we have met ono be
at my Uncle John Humphrey
NJ You were giving his daughi
music lesson when ! passed thr'
the room and was introduced to
recognized you yesterday when
'W came into the train, but concludes
had forgotten me" answered
Kenneth, an odd look creeping
ffio his eyes.
At the sound OF John Humfh
SPY name, Edna's face turned crimso