The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-09-28
what a brute am. What a brutsi


Do you care as much as all thatr''
'T care for your friendship, Dick"
she said, in her ordinary calm, low
voice. Il meant nothing more am
quite content"
Then, one day, she saw a change IN
Dick. It was bound to come. She
had told herself so again and again.
Yet In her heart of hearts she had not
believed II.
$50 that Is the right woman for
Dick. She can bring the look to his
eyes that I have watched and waited
for in vain. She, that poor, empty,
foolish little creature has the power
bah, what a wretch am! What right
have l to Judge her? l am unjust,
blinded by-oh. God, not that-not
that! Have l fallen so low? Do !
grudge him to her-I, who never real
ly had his lover"
And she stood afar off and watch
ed the two together and waited for
Dick to tell her.
HE is afraid" she told herself,
with a bitter smile. "He remembers
what he swore to me. l must help
him"
"Dtck," she said abruptly, at their
next meeting there's something on
your mind, and you've got to tell me
what 1t Is. Years ago you made me
your Mother Confessor,' and I've held
the office ever since. Come, Dick,
out with It! What Is it?"
ITS nothing at all. I've got nothing
to confess, little girl. How did you
get that idea into your head?"
Il don't know. 1t came. Dick, that's
all"
There was a pause.
"Madge," he asked, presently,
you're sure you're quite happy?"
What do you mean? Nobody Is
quite happy, l suppose"
II mean, are you quite contented
with this sort of thing? With our
our friendship, you know"
The girl laughed gayly.
"Of course l am. Haven't I told
you so, over and over again?"
And yeti don't know-some-
times I think"
you think I'm yearning for matri-
mony?" she retorted fiippantly. What
a dear, conceited. stupid old thing
you are! I've quite got over that lit
tie weakness, Dick. l don't want to
marry you, really. I'm fond of you,
of course, but then you're fond Of
me, too-at least you always pretend
ed you were. and yet, you don't want
to marry me. Why should that sort
of feeling be possible for you and not
for me, Dick? Perhaps-perhaps I'm
wiser now than / was few months
ago. Perhaps I've found out my mis-
take"
What do you mean. Madge?"
The light of an unspoken hope
flashed for a moment in his eyes.
The girl saw it, and something
leaped up in her throat
Dick" she said, almost In
whisper, you discovered. months
ago, that was not the right woman
for you. Perhaps-perhaps I've dis
covered that you are not the right
man for me-"
Again that glad light shone In his
eyes, and the girl grew sick with the
pain that was in her heart
You're pleased to hear me say
that!" she cried, and wild, ill-consid-
cred words rose to her lips. With a
fierce effort she conquered the tempta-
ton to speak them.
You have something more to tell
me-" said her companion, eagerly. ~
can see It In your face. can guess
what it Isl"
Welt"
THAT the right man has come to
your"
"And the right woman to you.
Dick?"
"Madge, how did you known"
II only guessed. Perhaps a fellow
feeling, Dick. Does she know?"
Good Heavens, no! haven't dared
to own it, even to myself. You'll
laugh at me, and deserve it, for be-
ing a presumptuous idiot, butt can
say it now without offending you'll
though you still cared for me, not
not as a pal only, but in the other
way, and So"
And so you determined to sacri-
fee the most precious thing on earth
for the sake Of a sickly sentimental
feeling on my part to which 1 had no
earthly right Oh, Dick, you old
stupid, what an awful mistake you
might have made. And she-she cares
for you, doesn't she?"
He flushed like a schoolboy.
1--WE no right to say that" he re-
piled. 1--WE never spoken to her
about it. l was ashamed, because Of
of what l had said to you"
go to her at once, Dick, and say
all you ever said to me, and much
more that / could never teach you.
Go, Dick. know what her answer
will be-"
"And you, Madge? What of him,
the right man. you known"
~Dick, can't tell you"
TITS a secret, then?"
"Well-yes-a secret. Don't be an
cry with me for not telling you. II
isn't possible. We shant be able TO
marry for long time, and so we think