The Elbert County tribune., 1909-10-21

I come along II yyou'fS safs you DOM
mind. Perhaps its Just - well:
there isl hax4 Just posted you 4
note to say good-by."
"Good-by!" l gasped. ssWhere In
the world are you &oing.'
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? feel as II had been
caught up by a huge whIrlwind
that wouldn't let me down.
Tomorrow! You sail Tomorrow"
l repeated.
She nodded. "It was only matter
of few weeks at most" she said.
( But tomorrow" / 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 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
Sc sorry to not have you all with US
| at tie 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 1t. And
I! Bishop Winstanley is away. 1t is all
so unsatisfactory! had never
him. you know. I'm afraid it will
seem 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
stant 1t 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.. Ankony is rush
ing his preparations through. and l
had even this half-hour's breathing
space. so / walked through the old
Square for the last time. Does that
sound ghastly?" she asked. with a
smile. '"But dare say 1t 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 woman must naturally feel
at such time. asked myself. or
did 1t hold all the ache and bitterness
that Henrietta Winstanley still stout
ly contended that it did? looked at
| her keenly, and, feeling my glance,
she put up quick, impatient hand to
| her cheek.
| ut 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 / can't look at you-nor for
weeks and months perhaps Oh, I
know I'm hurting you! I'm beast to
do it. But a man can't mask thing
forever. And 1t hurts. God! how 1t
hurts to think Of your going!"
Does that make 1t any harderthe
| 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.
Il am so sorry! SO sorry!" she
said. in the lowest, softest voice, and
tho regret and the tenderness in 1t
touched me profoundly. 'If 1 could
say something. do something, to help
] TO make 1t easier for you, But 1
can't. and it-it hurts me, too. oh,
look at me once in friendliness and
forgiveness!"
A lovely April twilight was setting
about us. and In its shadows I turned
to her.
Can you do me the injustice to be-
lieve that have anything but friend.
liness for you, dear?" asked. 'T am
a 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 a little pressure. then quickly
withdrew 1t.
No. no. you are not that" she pro
tested warmly; you are all that Is
considerate and kind and, goe d.
and T."
IF were yielding you to any one
else" / blundered.
"Don't!" she cried; you have your
own little shrine in the temple of my
heart. and l don't want you to de-
throne yourself at the last. This ia
is the last you know. Good-by. I
cant ask you in,- and we shall aot
meet again before CO."