Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-19
The Right Worna~
Copyright. 1914. by Associated Literary Press.)
By TEMPLE BAILEY

cony she wore in the front of her
black gown a white flower that Mary
had stuck that morning in Bobbie
Howells buttonhole
When the slippers and the tennis
sneaks came down the stairs the
white flower was in the lady's hand.
please take it" she said, and held
it out to him.
why ?"
Because you had no right to give
it to me. And I had no right to
take It. But this must be my ex-
cuse. that l did not know then that
it would hurt someone else. But I
know now"
How do you know?"
All" her calm eyes met his stead
/ lily, Il am wise women - have
lived such long time-Tcenturies--
Not in years" doggedly.
Perhaps not-but in experience.
And let me tell you this--that l am
not the right woman for you. Bob
bic"
You are have told you so a
dozen times Since the night you
came | have wanted no other"
Tomorrow you win say that to
/ some one else You are senti-
mental backslider. Bobbie. But let
me tell you this: The girl who gave
+ you the white flower is the right
woman You will simply thwart des-
/ tinv ii you give her up"
/ How do you know"
4 know it," her strong little hands
+ restel IN the back Of a big chair.
She turned her wedding ring alb
sontly
/ He noted the action, and he noted.
also, that. while three years had gone
I by since the death of her husband.
/ that she still wore deep black
Yet he ventured Suppose de-
/ eide to make YOU the right woman"
said masterfully
but you cannot Fate decided
/ 'hat for you saw the love in that
/ little girls eyes when she looked up
at YOU All women will not love you
/ like that"
why note" he Jared
Perhaps you are not worth IT,"
/ There WAS a hint of scorn In her
voice But she viii always think
/ YOU are worth IT,"
Oh impatiently: don't let's talk
Of her' | want to tell you things
want little moment down on tie
beach, all our own-~come"
She hesitated; then pinned on her
broad hat, and together they went
down the steps
The beach was dotted with bathers.
so that they skrted the edges OF
the crowd until they came TO a little
pavilion that overlooked the sea
A few gulls, posing on pointed wings
showed dark against sapphire sky.
Far away on the horizon was a trail
Of smoke
Her eyes followed t. Next week
| shall go that way" she said
Go! Where?"
ITO Rome--to Parls--anywher to
get away"
From me?" triumphantly "dh. I
knew It." he caught at her fingers
and hold them close. while from the
third one he slipped its enclrcllng
golden band.
oh she tore herself from his
Tasps. how dare you? How dare
YOU"
Let me put another there"
Her eyes were deep wells of tears.
She covered her face with her hands.
ara when at last she looked up at
him, he saw the sorrow of the wife
who f. a widow indeed
4 loved my husband"
He laid the ring upon her lap, and
stood irresolute. abashed by the dig
nifty Of her grief
Il thought"
You thought because I was gay
heart upon my sieS"" that I had for
gotten. But" and her Yes looked
out across the sea- 81 shall never for
get"
Then she smiled up at him sadly.
GO back to her, Bobbie," she told
him, "go back to the right woman.
and let her make man Of you. She
IS sweet and good, and she believes in
you And after a while you viii
want 10 liFs up 10 HeF Dstieli anu
then you'll reach your full stature.
But II wouldn't believe In you, be-
cause don't love you. II loved
my husband-I adored him"
Out Of a breathless silence. he fall
tered, Forgive me-"
She held out her hands to him.
GO back to her. BobbIe." she said.
again, "go back to her--and thank
Cod"
He gripped her hands in his.
"You-you good woman" he STAN
mered
Watching the scene from the ten
mis- courts, the two girls drew their
own conclusions.
Il told you her slippers spelled
iirt." was Beatrice's ignorant sum
ming up.
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