The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-09-23
MARC|A'S FREEDOM,
Dy MARION MANVlLLE.

=
The announcement came like 4 thun.
derbolt out Of clear sky. Marcia
Deane had broken her engagement
with Jack Kelly.
They had been lovers from child
hood, always together. always devoted
and absolutely loyal to each other, and
now, just few months before the
wedding day, the unexpected happened.
The young people were planning a
nutting expedition. and Jack had
called, rs he did every evening. to tell
Marcia the details.
eve start from Lawton's at 8, so l
will come for you little earlier. You
will be ready?" There was scarcely a
question in his voice.
Marcia was always ready. He had
finished up that subject. and his
thoughts were busy with something
else when 1t dawned on him that Mar
cia's answer and tone were quite diff
ferent from what he had expected.
She had risen and was speaking rapid
~. intensely.
mo, shall not be ready then or any
time again, Jack. I'm not going with
you any more, and here's yoAr ring"
She thrust the mute emblem Of their
past happiness into his hand, stood
expectant moment; then. as he did
not speak. she turned from him and
walked into the house. ...,.5s
Jack was too dazed to move. Flow
long he. sat there he never knew. but
at last he went away. The light and
happiness had been crushed out Of his
life at one blow
Fall slipped into winter. and the
usual festivities began. Jack Kelly
never appeared at them, but he heard
of Marcia. first with one man. then
with another. the belle Of the season.
And Marcia enjoyed her freedom. For
the first time in her young life she was
receiving attention from other admir-
ers than Jack, and she was constantly
comparing them with him.
Sam Duncan was Splendidly big and
handsome, though his eyes lacked the
genial twinkle. the tender sympathy Of
Jacks. Dan Hemly was extravagant.
and she was sure 1t was wrOngTnot
that she could endure q stingy man.
Jack was generous, too, but he had
some principle about it.
Ted Reynolds fell in love with Mar
cia at once and insisted on taking her
every where. He was full Of fun. 4
brilliant talker and an all around good
fellow. Marcia liked him immensely
until Christmas day. Then she found
his card at the bottom Of the basket Of
roses she had thought came from Jack,
and after that there was a bitterness
In her heart toward the man who had
dared to send what she expected from
her neglected lover.
As soon as spring came Marcia was
seen constantly In Harry Lawton's
automobile. Rumor had already en-
gagged her to dozen different men, and
now It settled on Lawton as an abso-
lutte certainty. Marcia held her peace
Now and then. when Marcia had an
occasional glimpse Of Jacks face, with
the deep lines around the lips that of
old were always smiling and tender
for her, she would 60 home, shut her
self in her room and cry herself to
sleep. ,.,,e .r
1.-THE old stupid! Why doesn't be
come to see me" she would say to
herself. angry at his unquestioning &C.
ceptance Of her dismissal.
It was the LIST Of June. just a week
before Marcia's birthday. which was
e3soh to, esbes1 Il her wedding day.
An day long she haAh beln putting her
brain to ind asv1ysoat of her diem
ma. Things hadthot tur1edaout exact
" as she hid Planned them in the
months Just gone. She had expected
To- retain Jaok's frissdship, to- havs'
him call occasionally. bat she had
never exchanged word with hin,
since the night she had sent him away.
At last, because she could think Of no
better way. she sent him note:
Dear Jack-A girl you used to know will
b 1T our house tonight and wishes to see
you. Come att. ,t,.>', MARCIA.
Quite bewildered. unable to guess
who the girl might be. Jack obeyed
the summons. He found Marcia alone
In the parlor. Never had she looked 50
bewitching to him rs she did after the
months Of separation. She was dressed
all In his favorite white, relieved only
by a single black red jack rose.
Jack caught his breath with sudden
pain az he realized all that It meant to
love her. With irresistible longing he
kept her hand and drew her close into
bis arms. :. .- ....
Marcia. darling" he murmured his
face against hers, ''tell me it isn't
true. Say that this lonely winter has
been horribie nightmare and I'm
waking now"
'The girl You used to know she
began.
Bother the girl! don't want her.
want yon-you!"
She drew away from him little.
1.-THE girl, Jack, is the one you used
to be engaged to-"
He caught her in his arms again. and