The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-03-01

en- by Jem as to walking nil, o.
remounting.
At the time, it did not occur tc
Vernon to be grateful for the 81
lence which was so acceptable tC
her. Her mind was off upon its
own puzzling excursions. She was
unconscious of the complete differ
ence in her own manner, as between
yesterday and today She did moi
think about it, one way or the other
She was reflecting tnat a few miles
of railway alone divided her from
the vehemence of Lionel's devotion
That was thought of such an ar
resting nature that her mind was
drawn into its orbit, and circled
helplessly round and round it.
At the turning that led to the
Green, Jem abruptly took leave and
rode on, leaving Vernon to ac-
complish her last quarter of mile
alone.
Evelyn was taking up bulbs in
the front garden, attired in a very
large apron. But she left her Occu-
patton when she found that Vernon's
errand was serious. They went to-
gether into the hall, and found a
sunny window seat; and Vernon,
for the very first time in her life.
ound herself pouring out her inmost
soul
She told her friend all the story
of her childhood, of Lionel's be-
coming a member of the. household,
of her fathers death, and his sud
den discovery OF his love for her,
marriage, and her departure from
Golden Ridge to see the world. And
now of his pursuit.
Her recital, at first broken, grew
more coherent as she proceeded. She
owned that she had wished to speak
of it all before, but disliked being
silly and sentimental. Lionel, and
falling in love, and getting married,
had seemed long way off, divid-
ed both by space and time, the two
human barriers. And now, all was
very near; suddenly, Unexpectedly,
all was very near And she was
not ready. She recoiled. She wanted
to put her fingers in her ears, to
bid Lionel go away, and come back
in three years time, when she
should have learned the world a lit.
tie
Il am not fit to be married." she
said despairingly. Il have no con,
victions, no definite aims. | have
just begun, with you, to reflect upon
life. But so little, so haltingly.
must have time to. think
Have you ever thought-about III
vorce?" said Evelyn timidly.
The voice she used was unlike the
tones of her usual calmness. 1t
thrilled with emotion. Vernon looked
quickly at her
"N-no; / never have. One feels,
of course, that nobody, neither God
nor man, could expect one of the
two to keep faithful to an mfaith.
ful partner
You feel that"
Doesn't everybody?-"
Evelyn looked down. The sun,
streaming in at her easement. rested
upon the unfaded beauty of her gold
en- hair, in its broad, straight, soft
sweep from one side OF her fine head
to the other. Her face, half N shad-
ow did not show the lines one
traced upon it in a strong light. She
might have been a lovely Young
woman of five-and-twenty-c charming
enough for men to pursue with eager
ness or worship with devotion.
She raised her large blue eyes to
Vernon's honest face. Vernon" said
she, IF you wish, | will tell you
about myself. My case is not very
like yours, but | think somehow that
it might help you in coming - a
decision. Would you like 20 hear it?"
Vernon caught her hand between
both her own.
Not if it pains you too much,
would give a great deal 20 near il,
but not if it hurts you to tel me-"
No; / will not hurt, except as
it may hurt a mother to take her
dead child's toys and frocks from
the drawer where she keeps them
wrapped and perfumed. ] do not
often open my drawer. Bu: today
feel that l can. | want to make
Continued on page three)