Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1909-10-28

lueTe Isl nave just pOSISu yOu y
note to say good-by."
"Good-by!" l gasped Where In
the world are you going?"
I'VE sail for London tomorrow.
Mr.. Ankony has been called there by
important business. We are to be
married at noon. It's very sudden,
isn't it? l feel as If had been
caught up by huge whirlwind
that wouldn't let me down"
Tomorrow! You sail tomorrow"
l repeated.
She nodded. ut was only a matter
of few weeks at most" she said.
"But tomorrow" l echoed namely.
She did not reply. Gathering her
skirts out of the way of the fountain
spray that drifted across the asphalt,
she kept her eyes resolutely ahead.
The roar of Broadway was in our ears.
Through Fifteenth street the late sun,
shine poured, and a mist came up
from the bay. River whistles blew,
and here and there an electric light
sprang out Walking hurriedly and in
silence we crossed Broadway and
came into the kindling shadows of the
side-street, turning presently into
| Fifth avenue
And your note?"I asked.
WAS only to say good-by and ex-
plain our hurried departure. We are
SO sorry to not have you all with us
at the marriage, as we had expected.
Even Dan may not get to town in
time | wired him at once, of course,
but I'm afraid he can't make it. And
Bishop Winstanley is away! 1t is all
so unsatisfactory! had never
thought to have anyone marry me but
him. you know. I'm afraid it will
seem a sort of makeshift ceremony"
with little sigh.
Suppose something should come up
to prevent your sailing?' | asked, with
an uncomfortable impulse.
She turned to me quickly, an odd
look in her eyes, but in the same in
slant it faded and she lifted the shield
of an impersonal smile.
THAT is quite improbable. l never
think of such things. Some people do,
] know. But in this case we are al
most quite ready. Mr.. Ankory is rush
ing his preparations through, and l
had even this half-hour's breathing
space, so l walked through the old
Square for the last time. Does that
sound CHASTITY" she asked, with a
smile. But l dare say it will never
seem quite the same again
Her tone was light, but it held the
pang of sadness. Was it only the sad
ness that a woman must naturally feel
at such a time, | asked myself, or
did it hold all the ache and bitterness
that Henrietta Winstanley still stout.
ly contended that it did? l looked at
her keenly, and, feeling my glance,
she put up a quick, impatient hand to
her cheek.
1T isn't nice to stare at bride-elect
like that on the eve of her wedding,
she said Don't you know that? She
is always cross and pale and nervous
1t isn't fair"
Forgive me; but to-morrow-to
morrow l cant look at you-nor for
weeks and months perhaps. Oh,
know I'm hurting you! I'm a beast to
do it. But man can't mask thing
forever. And it hurts. God! how ii
hurts to think of your going!"
Does that make it any harder-the
going?" she asked.
1T is the suddenness of it," l said
duly and we walked little way in
silence. 1t was she who broke it,
81 am so sorry! so sorry" she
said, in the lowest, softest voice, and
the regret and the tenderness in il
touched me profoundly. IF l could
say something, do something, to help
to make it easier for you! But
can't, and tit hurts me, too. Oh
look at me once in friendliness and
forgiveness!"
A lovely April twilight was setting
about us, and in its shadows l turned
to her.
Can you do me the injustice to be-
lieve that have anything but friend
Illness for you, dear?" | asked. IL am
poor whimpering thing to trouble
you like this now-to let you see"
We had reached the steps of her
house, and as we mounted them she
slipped her hand through my arm
with little pressure, then quickly
withdrew It.
tested warmly; you are all that is
. considerate and kind and good
l and L"
IF l were yielding you to any one
| else" / Numbered.
DON'T" she cried; you have your
= own little shrine in the temple of my
heart, and | don't want you to de
throne yourself at the last. This is
is the last, you know Good-by.
r can't ask you in, and we shall not
meet again before | 60"
l yet l think" said /, that l will
not say good-by."
: She looked at me questioningly.
! DO you think leaving out a good
l by makes a separation seem less
D real?" she smiled.
This one would set the seal upon
D tOO many thinpg I raD1iad