The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-04-13
AS they walked along Richard had
very little to say.

AS they walked along Richard had
very little to say.
You're a grumpy and growly bear,
Dixy, said Serena, as they left the
public highway and entered into a lit
tie lane where the wild roses and
blackberry vines struggled over the
fences. You act as IL l had received
bad news instead of good news"
Richard sat down on a great-gray
rock at turn of the lane
Let us talk about it," he said.
Maybe you'll understand then why
I'm not jubilant"
Her eyes questioned him.
You see," he said slowly. lit will
take you away from me, Serena"
oh, she gasped. but I am coming
back"
at will be different" Richard said
you Will come back travelled young
lady, and you will have seen other
men, and | will have slipped out of
your life. l haven't told you how
much l love you, because l have been
waiting until l had a home to offer
you. haven't asked you TO marry NE.
because | felt that | must prove my
self man, but you're going away will
MI ine hdIuy SERENA.
Don't you think l owe it to my
seifr'" she asked. Her eyes were
troubled. Don't you think | ought
TO go when all my life I've wished for
a chance to study more and make my
music something more than an accom-
plishment?"
II don't want to be mean and sell
fish, he said. IL think il is the right
thing for you to do, and I'm not going
to try to hold you back, but you
mustn't expect me to smile over IL. Sc
rena"
The Serena who came slowly into
her mothers room was a very differ
emit girl from the radiant one who had
left.
Why. what's the matter, dear?" her
mother demanded.
Serena threw herself on the floor be-
side the couch. IL don't want uncle's
old money" she walled. Il wish he
hadn't left It to me-"
Hush" her mother warned. What
makes you act this way?"
ut will take me away from Richard
and he wants me to marry him. moth
er, only he isn't asking me now be-
cause he thinks 1t Is best for me to
CO."
DO you love him?" Mrs. Carter ask
ed, enough to stay here, dear?"
."Oh. l don't know" Serena an
swered, But l wish he hadn't said
anything about II. He has spoiled my
happy day
The next morning Serena sailed
forth and took car to the city. There
she accumulated folders and informa-
ton with regard to sailing ships, the
nriNaC a III
interest travellers. She visited dress
makers and tailors. with a view to ac-
curing some modish clothes suitable
for her outing, but with it all she had
no enthusiasm, no sense OF joy. In the
afternoon, it rained, and she plodded
along YEARLY. wishing that the routine
or her life had not been broken into
AS she spiashed into puddle. a voice
at her side said. Don't you want me
to hold your umbrella -
In moment her gray day had
changed to radiance. She didn't care
now how hard it poured. Richard was
there smiling down at her. He took
her into coy little shop where they
had tea together and a good long talk.
When you come back" was the bur-
den OF Richards remarks. When you
come back / will have things ready for
you, Serena"
Somewhat cheered, Serena came
home to find her mother sitting up and
looking over a package of old letters
They are some OF your fathers"
the little mother said. He loved me
dearly, Serena, and have been won
'dering If Richard loves you as your
father loved me-"
A soft light came into Serena's eyes.
II think de does" she said. He is as
true as steel. mother, and a year is
long time to keep him waiting"
She caught her breath quickly, and
then dropped her head on her arms
and sobbed. II don't know what to
do"
Her mothers eyes twinkied. 81
have thought Of a way out of it," she |
said. She laid the letters aside |
and pointed though the window