The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1909-03-22

tears she would not for the world let
him see. If life had depended on it
she would not have admitted, even to
herself, that they were more for the
hurt to her pride involved in his going
without her than for the crushing out
of what but yesterday she had fancied
was her one true love.
TOrrens had awakened it-TorrenS,
with his gay elegance, his careless,
easy assumption of authority, so IN
like Bfily's respectful alteration. Bill
" was the inevitable, the common
place. Therefore she had resented
him even more than she had resented
the family disposition Of her hand.
Torrens had fascinated her from the
beginning. She had felt it would be
so finely romantic to fling away a
lover and a fortune for his dear sake.
And he had asked her to do tia hun
dred times at least-as plainly as any
thing could be asked without words.
And now he had gone, at Billy's
bidding gone without a word to her.
Sharp across her consciousness had
come the whistle Of the departing
train. In a passion of anger and hui
initiation she turned again upon Billy,
saying in her hardest voice:
go tell everybody you threw me
over-because of-the other-and don't
let me see you ever again.
She was sorry for the speech before
the gate shut behind Billy, sorrier still
as the days drew into a week-a week
full Of stir and wondering over Billy's
approaching departure. She had not
seen him again, even at a distance
Daily he walked a block about rather
than pass her gate. He did more
gave up his share In the money, put.
ting the whole of it safely in trust for
Adela. When word of 1t was brought
to her she turned away her face. ra1
upstairs and was invisible until next
day.
Torrens had written-a light, grace
full, lying letter, pleading imperative
business in excuse for his seeming
rudeness, and at the very end limiting
at wishing her Joy with Billy. She
tore the letter furfously into small
bits and next minute wished she haC
sent it to Billy instead.
Billy was going that night-upon the
same train that had taken Torren,
away. All day Adela thought Of him
All day she fought with herself
At o'clock she began furfously t,
make some small preparations. At 6
cloaked and bonneted, with a travel
ing bag clinched in her hands, sh'
stole down side streets to the station
and shrank into hiding there.
Billy would not come for half al
hour. The train came at Z, but sh
must be in time She had on a thicl
veil and had chosen the most muff1ini
Of her wraps. Thus nobody recognizes
her, not even Billy when he came in
the center Of hearty group.
They laughed and TESTED with him
all talking at once and very fast. The.
slapped him on the shoulder an,
poked him in the ribs, but somehow
they were not very merry. Billy him
self was not merry, though he kept u
his part manfully.
Adela, watching from her cover
sew lines in his face unseen before
Otherwise she might have lacked coul
age for the desperate thing she had t
do 1t was a desperate thing, consit
ering what had come and gone, I
walk out and say in a weak, sma
voice, but so all could hear: 'Brly-I-
have changed my mind. II want m
wedding present after all. Yes, there
time. II sent word to the ministe
to have everything ready, you see
knew / could depend on you"