Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1910-02-11

there isl have Just posted you q
note to say good-by."
"Good-by!" 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 a huge whirlwind
that wouldn't let me down.
Tomorrow! You sail tomorrow"
I repeated.
She nodded. eft was only 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 1t. And
Bishop Winstanley is away! 1t Is all
SO unsatisfactory! had never
thought to have anyone marry me but
him, you know m afraid ii will
seem a sort OF makeshift ceremony"
with a 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 n faded and she lifted the shield
of an impersonal smile.
THAT is quite improbable. | never
think of such things Some people do
I know. But in this case we are al
most quite ready. Mr.. Ankony is rush
ing his preparations through. and
had even this half-hour's breathing
space, so l walked through the old
Square for the last time. Does that
sound ghastly?" she asked. with q
smile. But ! 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 fee
at such a time, | asked myself, OF
did it hold all the ache and bitterness
that Henrietta Winstanley still stout
ly contended that it did? ] Looked al
her keenly, and, feeling my glance
she put up a quick, impatient hand tt
her cheek.
1T isn't nice to stare at a bride-elecI
like that on the eve of her wedding,
she said Don't you know that? Sht
is always cross and pale and nervous
1t isn't fair"
Forgive me; but to-morrow-to
morrow | can't look at you-nor fo
weeks and months perhaps Oh.
know I'm hurting you! I'm beast tt
do it. But man can't mask thint
forever. And it hurts. God how /
hurts to think of your going!"
Does that make it any harder-the
going?' she asked.
1T is the suddenness of It," sail
duly, and we walked a little way il
silence. 1t was she who broke it.
Il am so sorry! so sorry" sh,
said, in the lowest, softest voice, ant
the regret and the tenderness in /
touched me profoundly. IF l coult
say something, do something, to he'll
Ito make it easier for you! But
can't, and tit hurts me, too. oh
look at me once in friendliness ant
forgiveness"
A lovely April twilight was settin,
about us, and In its shadows | turne,
to her.
Can you do me the injustice 10 be
lieve that l have anything but friend
illness for you, dear?" 1 asked 81 an
poor whimpering thing to troubl,
you like this now-to let you see."
We had reached the steps of he
house, and as we mounted them sh,
slipped her hand through my arm
with a little pressure, then quickl,
withdrew it.
No, no. you are not that" she pro
tested warmly; you are all that 4
, considerate and kind and good
and l."
IF | were yielding you to any on,
else" | Numbered.
"Don't!" she cried; you have you
!. own little shrine in the temple of m,
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 no
meet again before l 60"
yet | think" said /, that | will
not say good-by"
i She looked at me questioningly.
l DO you think leaving out a good
! by makes a separation seem les
0 real?" she smiled.
This one would set the seal upo
too many things" l replied
Ito BE CoNTINUED)
& TX/s19 ~