The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-22
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THE RIGHT WOMAN

I Wy A am n Wise WoiilAit-~~l nav
lived such a long time--centuries
| Not in years" doggedly.
| Perhaps not-hut in experience
| And let me tell you this--that / am
not the right woman for you. Bob
! bic"
"Yo uare. have told you so g
dozen times. Since the night you
! came l have wanted no other"
But that isn't love. You are
| young. and you care proud to show
| the major and the judge and Teddy
| Dudley that you can win me. You
| like the chase. You like to be one
and so you think you like me
Il love you"
Tomorrow you will 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-
tiny II you give her up.
How do you know 20
- know it." her strong little hands
rested on the back of big chair.
She turned her wedding ring alb
sently.
He noted the action, and he noted,
also, that while three years had gone
by since the death of her husband,
that she still wore deep black
Yet ne ventured. Suppose | de-
eide TO make you the right woman"
hs said. masterfvlly.
But You cannot Fate decided
that for you. l saw the love in that
little girls eyes when she looked up
at you. All women will not love you
like that.
why not ?'' he flared.
van "a nrfh II -
There was hint of scoRn in her
voice. But she viii always think
you are worth it."
oh" impatientlv; don't let's talk
OF her. | want to tell you things.
want little moment down on the
beach. all our own--come,"
Sho hesitated; then pinned on her
broad hat and together they went
down the steps.
The beach was dotted with hsthers.
so that they skirted the edges Of
the crowd until they came TO a little
pavilion that overlooked the sea. A
few guIls, posing on pointed wings
showed dark against a sapphire sky.
Far away on the horizon was a trail
of smoke.
Her eyes followed it. Next week
I shall go that way" she said,
Go! Where"
ITO Rome--to PaTis--anyWhere to
get away"
From ?'.' trumphantly. "Oh, l
knew it, he caught at her fingers
and held them close. while from the
third one hs slipped its encircling
golden band.
oh" she tore herself from his
grasp, 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
| and when at last she looked up al
| him, he saw the sorrow Of the wife
who is a widow indeed.
| "La.loved my husband"
/ lie laid the ring upon her lap, and
| stood irresolute, shashed by the dig.
/ nifty of her grief.
/ II thought
You thought because / was gay
! and young. and did not wear my
! heart upon my sleeve that had for
| gotten. But" and her eyes looked
out across the sea- Il shall never for
get"
Then she smiled up at him sadly
( GO back to her, Rephie." she toit
! him. go back to the right woman
and let her make man of you. She
is sweet and good. and she believes II
you. And after a while you VIII
! want to live up to her belief, anC
then youll reach your fun stature
But II wouldn't believe in you. be
cause | don't love you. II loved
my husband adored him"
Out of a breathiess silence. he fai
tered. Forgive me"
She held out her hands TO him
Go back to her. Bohbie.' she said
again, go back to her--and thanh
/ God
He gripped her hands in his. "Yot
YOU good woman" he stammered
Watching the scene from the tennis
courts. the two girls drew their owl
conclusions.
Il told You her slippers spelled
tiirt" was Beatrice's ignorant sum
ming up.