The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-30
HER SECRET.
She Told It Frankly and Was
Glad That She Did.
BY BYRON II. KELLEY.

has reached her twenty-eighth year
she is either at her worst or her best.
and Virginia was at her best. Her
glass todd her that and the faces Of
her friends of her own age who had
faded about her until she was left like
the one perfect flower in cluster, con-
spicuous by her brightness.
Her little sister had just announced
that Mr.. Bridges had driven up In
front of the house and was waiting
to take her driving.
But Virginia sat still. She had just
been making resolution never to go
driving with him again, and here he
was. She clinched her hands tight.
"Just this onceg she pleaded to her
conscience. Her eyes met the longing
ones in the glass "Just this once,
and I'm tell him. / Will be honest
His heart shan't break even IL mine
does"
She turned to her sister.
Dorothy. dear, tell Mr.. Bridges I'll
be right down." she said gently. Then
she rose and put on her hat
1t did seem so good to be sitting be-
side him agaln--if only 1t were not
for that miserable thing which she
had promised herself she would make
known to him before the drive was
ended. She looked at his face. It was
such strong, good face. oh. 1t would
be bitterly hard to tell hint
He seemed TO have something on
his mind too, he was so grave and ST.
lent And whenever he looked at her
II was with quiet penetration.
Virginia leaned back against the thick
cushion, trying to steady herself She
did not notice that Plume had stopped
trotting and was walking slowly. But
when hand fell over hers she started
and looked into the eyes Of the man
whose face had come suddenly near
to hers.
"Virginla! Dear little gIrlr'
She knew what must come after
those words, but she could not speak
"Virginia"-his eyes held hers-'T
love your Then he smiled his swift,
gentle smile. as II her silence had re.
assured him
That smile seemed 10 break the spell.
Virginia remembered that she drew
her hand from his and began to say
something wildly, what she did not
know until his changed. white face
stopped her
virginia. what are you sayingi
Promised you? ! will not believe IT,"
His stern voice braced her.
"oh. but you must-you mustr' she
said.
81 viii not believe e. will not be
lieve that you do not care for me-
that you have led me on Just for pas
time. II isn't true. is It. dearT' His
voice had softened again. He put his
arm about her and drew her against
him until her cheek touched his
'Tell me all about IT," he urged 81
take somewhere, | am sure. Tell me.
Virginia"
He released her gently and waited.
Virginia gathered herself together des.
perately.
IN tell you everything, Arthur" she
said. II promised myself that would
before this drive was ended. should
have told you before only could not
somehow. shall begin at the begin
ming and tell II all. and then you may
think what you please OF me-"
at happened ten years ago. when
was about eighteen and Andrew two
years older. We had known each 9th
or WAYS ua Iivod iu that tttsi. ,,ro,-
house next TO ours until his father got
into some financial difficulty and lost
what property he had. Mr.. Hall new
er could get along somehow. ] always
liked Andrew better than any other
boy; he was so good hearted and gem
tie. One night when we were walk.
ing home from church he asked me TO
marry him" Virginia hurried little.
"It was June and there was beauti.
full moonlight / had never dreamed
of marrying him or anybody then. but
he looked so handsome and be seemed
so much In earnest that | promised
before | thought Then | was fright
ened, because knew my people would
never consent to It. My mother always
said she was afraid Andrew would be
just like his father and never amount
to anything. SO we decided TO keep
our engagement secret
Just after that Mr.. Hall was taken
with a great desire to go west. He
knew he could do something out there.
think he had an idea that gold mug
gets could be picked up like acorns.
Anyway he was perfectly crazy to go,
and he went aud took Andrew with
him. We wrote back and forth pretty
steadily for awhile. Andrew didn't
like the west very well, and his father
was disappointed. but they would have
to stay there until they had earned
money enough to get back home with.
Well. / don't know-l was In school.
and there were so many things to take
my time that ! guess | grew careless
about writing, and Andrew seemed to
grow just as careless himself. Be
sides, he and his father were constant.
ly on the move. | think they must
have travelled the west over pretty
thoroughly The last time I heard
from Andrew was three years ago.
He said he was still trying to get rich
and talked Of going to the Klondike.
answered the letter. but perhaps he
never got it.
'You are the first person l ever told
this to-" she said. looking earnestly at
Arthur.
eksee," he said quietly. He thought
he build understand what manner Of
maneit was that would keep girl to
foolish promise in this way for