The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-19
Confessions

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touches to her toilet before going
down stairs. 1t was beautiful, high
bred face which looked at her from
the oval glass, but there was sadness
in the brown eyes which had
held nothing but merriment q few
weeks before. 1t seemed rather
strange that girl who had become
engaged so recently should be un-
happy, one guest had remarked to an
other only that morning, for Sylvia
Gray certainly did not act as though
she was happy. And it was such de-
sirable match, too, In every way.
What could be the matter?
Two months ago Sylvia had come
to the "Fernleigh," and there she had
met Richard Lindon. The lady who
had presented her had casually OBJ.
served that he was a man of means
and influence. The girl had admired
him from the first, yet she had never
dared to hope that he would look upon
her with favor. But from the day Of
their meeting he had sought her out
$ more or less in each others society,
until finally he asked her to be his
wife. Then she learned that 1t had
been case of love at first sight on
his part as we'll as her own.
Sylvia reviewed the whole happy
month as she stood there. "If only
dared to tell him-to confess every.
thing" she murmured. How could
l deceive him SO? l have been in
tending to tell him, but it's so hard to
do it. won't put 1t off any longer-Pll
let him know my true position to
night"
Down on the veranda her fiance
awaited her. She promised him that
she would go out for little while on
the lake. 1t would be good time to
tell him everything, she reflected, as
she slowly advanced towards him.
There was something about Richard
Lindon tonight that puzzled Sylvia.
He was unusually silent, and his mer-
been wont to do. What could be
troubling him she asked herself. A
sudden thought made her faint.
What If he had heard and was
now planning how to tell her Of his
discovery? How could she give him
up? OF course, she would have to.
How wrong it had been to listen to his
love for a moment, but she loved him
SO.
AS the canoe drifted slowly down
the river she looked at him stealthily
and found him regarding her with seri-
GUS eyes. The tesrs came quickly to
her own in spite of herself.
Il have something to confess"
she faltered. 'T should have told you
before, but l couldn't seem-to do it."
you have found out that you do
not-care?" he asked, the shadow
deepening in his face.
ooh, no, not that" she denied quick
1y; mot that, Richard"
What is it. them" he questioned
further. 81, too, have something to
say when you have finished.
you have thought--everyone here
has thought that am rich, that have
many friends who move in the most
exclusive society. Is 1t not so?"
eyes," he answered quickly. The
girl wondered at the note of gladness
in his voice. But when he spoke
again it was not there. "And it is
true" he said.
"It is not true. l have deceived
you-everybody. My pretty clothes
and finery were given to me by
woman whose companion l was for
three years. She insisted that ]
should take them when left her
We were more like. sisters than any
thing else. was called home by the
illness of my mother. She was sick
a long time, and then she-left me.
/ have been-alone two years now.
heard of this place, and l determined
that would associate with the class
of people that hitherto / had only
looked on as an outsider. And then /
came and pretended that I was rich.
/ never can tell you how sorry l am
that 1 have deceived you. There's
only one thing for me to do and that
is to give you back your ring and"
The brown eyes had been looking
everywhere but at him. Now as she
glanced up into his face she was un-
prepared for the change which had
taken place. There was such rap
ture in his eyes that it startled her.
my dear, my DEAR" he murmured.
1--WE shall be so happy-you and /.
Wait until you hear what l have to
say before you give me back that
ring. I'm not rich, either, little girl.
Do you hear?"
"You are not rich either" repeated
Sylvia in bewilderment.
mo, am not rich." and the mans
merry laugh rang out over the silvery
water. II thought you were, though,
and I had made up my mind to tell
you tonight that l am only a poor
struggling lawyer. But there's good
chance ahead of me, dear. deter
mined that I'd have long vacation
this summer and for once mingle with
people who were far above me finan.
cially. When you came loved you at
once, Sylvia. and l have started a