The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-11-07

woman's whisper. "Oh, Phil, why did
you conner
ITO carry you away with me-" came
mans resolute answer.
Butt don't understand" Mar
garet's voice said, wearily. Three
months ago you didn't want me-and
you went away-and my heart broke,
and then came up here, and Kent
Cartwright was so dear and good and
kind-and he loved me-and SOL
promised
DO you love him?"
T-I-don't know" she said. 'I
only know that dread tomorrow
that IL 1t were not for the fact that
I'd break Kent's heart, the wedding
should not go on-but 1t is too late
now"
TOO later There was exultation
in the mans voice. why, you are
not married to him, and he will thank
you when he finds that you haven't
let him marry a woman who didn't
love him. You and we're made for
each other-you know that"
Yet six months ago." she said,
you went away"
Il went because of promise had
made my mother. She said that
was too young to know my own mind.
that / must have six months separa-
tion to learn whether | really loved
you. She wanted me to go without
telling you-if you loved me, she said,
you would wait"
And | didn't wait"
Yesterday came back-and you
were up here. and they told me you
were to be married, and went to
mother and asked why did you let
her do it?' and she said, If she loved
YOU, she would have waited"
Now that you do, surely you won t
break my heart-your heart-Mar-
garet?"
Il must" Hilda could not see Mar
garet, but in her wavering voice, the
catch of her breath, she read the pain
that was tearing her friends heart.
Il must" and the girls voice grew
stronger. 81 have promised, and [
must not make Kent miserable"
1T doesn't seem fair and just" the
mans voice entreated. Perhaps if
could go to him"
NO" said Margaret; you must
not"
"Oh, but he must" said tremulous
voice from above. Don't be startled
It's only Hilda. IL had been prac-
ticing In the dark, and l couldn't help
hearing. Please-may l come down
am sure can straighten things
out"
"Hilda." said Margaret. what shall
dor"
Hilda carried with her candle
which she had lighted in the choir loft.
AS she came down the aisle toward
the waiting people, the light seemed
to cast halo around her head, as II
one of the saints from the stained
glass windows had descended to give
succor to those who needed help.
Il couldn't help hearing" Hilda
said again. as she set the candle care
fully on the reading desk. "And
know that the very best way of all will
be to tell Kent the truth"
ding day." said Margaret.
Hilda took. her hand. Margaret.
dear" she said. "can you hear the
truth?"
Margaret stared at her wondering
ly. THE truth-what do you mean? ?"
This afternoon Kent came to me
and told me that he had made a mis-
take; that he was afraid you did not
love him; that he was a plain man
md you were untitled to be the wife
of farmer. He found that--there
was some one else-some one he had
always cared for"
AS Hilda faltered. Margaret cried,
rapturousls. Then he wouldn't be
hurt-heS wouldn't care If I married
Philip instead of him?"
u think he would be glad-to know
that you would be happy"
Then for the first time the man
spoke. who is the girl he loves?"
he asked, his pleasant eyes smiling
into Hilda's confused ones.
81 sent him away" she stammered,
land he was going to marry Mar
garst-'"'
you dear women" Phil said, with
your sense of honor. What would
we men do without you as beacon
lights to guide us toward the truth p
The next day there was a double
wedding. Hilda protested that she
had nothing ready. But Margaret's
elaborate trousseau provided the
dainty and lovely garments which
were necessary. A white silk from
the brides outfit made Hilda a wed
ding gown more elegant than any
she could have bought for herself
You gave me my happiness. surely
can give you wedding gown" Mar
garet insisted, and Kent added his en-
treaties that she would accept the
gift so graciously offered. I'VE can
make 1t up to Margaret after We are
married." he said. "and don't want to
wait for my bride"
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