The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-01-19
By John Fleming Wilson

and I think you are the very kindest
man KNOW for he has offered me his
NON nome; ms protection and his love, he
There was something awfully silent
ana ominous about the gentle, still way
he turned the machine around and
started for home II was so differert
from what 1 had once Imagined. For
4 had never pictured myself accepting
always thought how superior 1 would
Feel when 1 told Juliet about II next
gay But now, Oh. couldn't tell Julietl
II took you an awfully long while
20 grow up. Lucy" he tried to laugh.
I've grown gray waiting for you. Alec
SAID once, Wait till she's nineteen and
then he said, Good heavens. Will. she's
nothing but child yet! Wait till she's
twenty and so on. and 50 on. Awful
years I've been wanting to do some
important work In Germany. But I
ff tn1Sa Leave you to the wolves. And
1l9nt want him to grow serious and I
mink ne must have esen me kind OF
enough. so perhaps some fne day the
refugee. and ! will be doing Paris to-
I stole into our house that night very
quietly, crept up to my room and closed
my door without a sound I wanted to
nard had always liked him. and his
pig. empty, white-pillared house was
IN the very town. on the very street of
place for me there and Europe spark
ling ahead, while here, here. the imaFe
OF Edith Campbell doomed up before me.
never shall forget that night I
scarcely believe 1 slept at oil. I don't
know what time II was I got up, and.
desk. shiverins in my long white hight.
gown just sat and sat, and gazed
and gaHed. and thought and thought.
marry him." I said out loud. and sank
eSain into silence. but not into forget
Near morning I got up again, went
to my desk. opened little secret draw
er ana took out picture. The picture
was or an actor had seen once at the
theater In New York when / was down
there at boarding school q long while
ago. had secretly gone into one of
those photograph stores the week after
ana bought IL, and embarrassed as
am to say II. 1 might as well confess
1hat ever since that picture had been
liked so much, for, OF course / had
been told that actors weren't nice, but
and the way he had remembered il
so well-Of striding across the stage
and sitting carelessly on the edge OF
table and swinging one foot. After
had gazed for an absurd half hour
rose and, clear as the day that was JUS
I breaking and bright as vision, I knew
knew 1 couldn't marry Just eyervdav
kind Or. Maynard Il was Just as IL
me actor had got up from out OF that
hand and said You must wait for me -
And i looked up and knew that 7
I ".NSt- II was ike a miracle, and /
shall never forget the sudden, term
bling assurance in my heart as I found
my way TO my desk and in the light of
That lovely new morning drew out a
sheet OF paper, wrote to Edith Camp
| bell and told her I was ready TO be
friends. For, suddenly brought face to
race with the thrilling Image OF the
man or my dreams and hopes, I was
ready 10 live with twenty Edith Camp
oells- or course, OF course mustn't
marry DR.. Maynard. and with a little
pang or regret, or something like IT, IN
my heart, finally wrote him this note:
Dear DR. Maynard:
The refugee has thought Il all over
very carefully and has decided to gath
er the pieces OF her house together and
Francisco"
Then 1 added. dropping all play and
with something I knew TO be pain:
can't go with you. DR.. MAYNARD
ways De the very kindest man I know.
LUCY CHENERY VARS"
. Now II you don't conner I said TO
the picture. and leaned forward anc
buried my head In nay arms SO Won se.
that Is how IL happened that Or Nav
nara went away TO Germany alone and
I remained at home and fought out NV
battle. / shall always remember the
gray morning that he sailed II was
night or mine and was sitting alone
IN my room at precisely 10 O'clock. the
sailing hour, trying TO imagine Dir
Maynard down there in New York on
the Dig white-decked liner waving
goodbye In his Oxford gray overcoat I
was Just wondering II the incest cheer
IuIest steamer letter could write had