The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-09-13
Humphrey FoEnd
His Heart
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BY VIRGINIA BLAIR



copyright. 1912. by Associated Literary
Press)
Humphrey Dodd was q plain man.
He had been the eldest son and had
assumed heavy responsibilities when
his father died Now that the Young
or children were wage earners. and
his mother had married again, Hum
phrey was free for the first time in
his life.
He intended to get married! His
choice lay between two village beau
ties. AS yet he had not paid marked
attention to either of them, but as
he rammed his hat down on his head
one gusty September night and start
ed for walk, he knew that he must
make his decision.
He did not ask himself whether he
loved Rose or Mary They were good
girls, and would make good wives. His
mother had married his father in her
young years of romance. and the mar
rtage had turned out badly. She had
impressed it on Humphrey that love
was an unstable thing, and that he
would be happier without It.
Yet something stirred in Humphrey
rs he left the village street and came
out upon long stretch of road, which
showed white for a little way and
was then hidden by the blackness OF
the grove beyond Overhead the moon
raced through the ragged clouds.
Humphrey brought hts mend back
s,efn.y to the subject in hand. Which
should 1t be, Rose or Mary? The fair
one or the dark, the short one or the
tall?
The wind lew strongly. and as
Humphrey ed the shadows of the
wood a thousand voices seemed to
mock him, but above all the tumult
came a human note. little cry. "oh,
please-helpl"
Humphrey stopped who is it?'
he asked sharply.
A white shape seemed to detach
itself from the sable background. Il
~ haye--los. my way" quivered
womans voice, "and-and am
afraid"
Humphrey struck a match. A face
appeared within the circle of light
a child's face. except for the maturity
Of the troubled brow.
Humphrey struck another match.
"You are wet" he said, abruptly.
Were you in the storm this after
noon?"
Yes" The match had gone out
and they were again In darkness.
yes" / walked from the car. | am
from the city. l heard they needed
girls up here to pick grapes and sol
came"
He could read extreme fatigue in
the dragging voice.
Come" he said, suddenly, "yos
must go to the village You need
something to eat--a hot drink"
II can't walk another step" She
was crying softly i've hurt my
foot"
Are you afraid to stay here?"
Humphrey asked. "Ill go back and
get my horse"
IT hate to hear the owls" she
sobbed, when they hoot-and the
frogs"
In the darkness Humphrey smiled.
What a child she was-with WON
ans eyes, "They can't hurt YOU" he
said, good naturally, "Tll be back
IN minute"
When he returned to the girl he
found her curled up against a fallen
log. rive brought a robe" he said
Wrap yourself in It,"
When she was safe In the seat he
began to think where he should take
her. There was no hotel and the
squalid boarding house where the
grape-hands boarded was no place for
this little slender thing. His own
home was presided over by his mar
ried sister, a grim young woman who
would look askance at the city stray.
AS they reached the crossroads, he
turned his horses head away from
his own house. II am going to take
you" he said, ito my great aunt's.
She's seventy and she lives by her
self. and she's as good-as gold
"But can't l go on to the farm
where they want help" she ques-
toned.
"You can rest at my aunts to-
night" he said. evasiyely.
When a few minutes later he had
made his explanations to Aunt Bet
sey. and had ushered his little stray
into her presence, he was silent for
moment before the revelation of the
girls beauty.
BY the light of the match he had
seen only her face. But now all the
grace and charm of her delicate
frame were revealed.
"pye got some cold baked beans"
said Aunt Betsey, bustling, and III
warm them up, and you shall have
cup Of tea"
Humphrey blushed as she spoke of
baked beans. He could not have de-
fined his feelings, but this divinity
was worthy of-ambrosia.
But as she ate the good food set
down before her, daintily but with
appetite, she seemed somehow to
glorify the act.
Humphrey said Good night" pres.
entity and went home. All along the
way that tender face appealed TO MIN,
and the trembling lips said. Il am
afraid"
The next morning he went at once
to Aunt Betsey's. The girl was
asleep.
I'm going to take tray up to her, "
said Aunt Betsey. she's worn out"
Humphreys stiff lips framed ques-
ton. what do you think of herr"
sShe's dear little thing. Her name
II Daphne. Her father was an artist
and died year ago. Her mother died
when Daphne was two years old.