The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-12-09
Her Decision
By BEATRICE STURDEVANT

ora. Every one Sdlu what Il pity II Wa
that she didn't have lover. so that
she could be married and thus be pro-
vided for She did have a lover. hut he
had gone away, no one knew nor cared
where, for he was ne'er do-well,
shiftless, worthless. But he was near
Lucy's age and the only one who had
made love to her. That he was her
only lover Is not remarkable, for she
was still almost too young TO have one
inexperienced as she was, her heart
went out TO him, and when he departed
he took il with him.
But Providence mt the time Lucy was
left an orphan raised up friend to her.
Stephen Woodbridge, a neighbor, thir-
into the Merton home and remain there
with Lucy until she could form a plan
for her future. Stephen Gid more than
this. He had her fathers farm APP
praised by several good men in the
Helghborhood and bought it at larger
price than the appraisement, but even
with this help Lucy was left with moth
ing. because her father had died heav-
lily in debt
What was the poor child to do? A
friend of Stephens said to him one
day: why don't you marry her? You
are alone in the world, and she needs
20 be provided for" A great joy at the
mere suggestion welled up in Stephens
heart. I'm too old for her." he re-
piled. But, though he knew this, he
did not act upon it. He went to Lucy
and told her that If she could be salts
fed to be his wife her problem would
be solved.
Lucy had been thinking a great deal
during her trouble about James
Tucker, her lover and wished he were
there that he might help her. But he
was not there, and she had no expecta
ton of his coming, So she accepted
Stephen Woodbridge's proposition
Stephen had his doubts about the ar
rangement, realizing that she was
barely out of childhood and fearing
that she would not be happy with one
who to her must seem an old man.
He deferred the wedding for some
time, leaving Lucy and the woman he
had provided for her In the house
where she had always lived.
1t was nearly a year after her
fathers death before day was set for
the wedding. Stephen was very
happy for Lucy to all outward appear
ances seemed at least not averse to |
the marriage Stephen provided funds |
for wedding outfit and made Inn
provements IN his house preparatory |
to the reception of his bride.
But a few days before the wedding |
all these plans were upset by the APP |
pearance OF James Tucker. Finding 1
his sweetheart about 10 marry an. !
other, he reproached her. The sltua.
ton caused her such unhappiness that |
she could not help showing H. Stephen 1
knew that Tucker had returned and |
was informed that he had been de-
voted to Lucy. his in,ormer adding
that IL would be well for Stephen to
look out for the younger man. This
was said not only for Stephens sake.
hut for Lucy's since fuckers worth
lessness was well known.
But Woodbridge, far from looking
out for Tucker. went to Lucy and told
her that he was ready TO give her up.
Lucy seemed much distressed. but
made no reply. III Jim has nothing
with which TO support YOU" added
you have means Of your
own. for since ! bought your farm a
railroad has been projected to run
rlose beside ii. and it is now worth
double what | paid you for It. That
excess | will return 10 you"
still Lucy remained silent. and Ste
Dhen went on:
Everything having been provided
Tor wedding, il may as well take
,lace-with a change Of grooms. I'm
ess you wish il to the contrary ! will
rive orders 10 that effect. II | don't
near from you during today | will con-
'ider my offer accepted"
He left her in great perplexity. That
afternoon Tucker came to see her to
lay goodby. he said. When he went
lway he had received permission to go
o Woodbridge and tell him that his
proposition to Lucy had been accepted.
I was great blow TO Woodbridge,
'ut he bore up manfully and set about
completing the arrangements for n
at which he was TO have been
he groom, but was now to be replaced
y one whose age was more In keeping
With that Of the bride
The evening befoce the wedding was
o take place Stephen sat down i'm his
'nely house before a fireplace, threw on
ONE LOGS and gave himself up to de-
pondency. He had met with the dis
ppointment Of his life. At that same
our the next evening the girl who was
D have been his was TO be welded TO
mother
While he was sitting there Lucy was
rying on the wedding dress that he
ad provided. 60 see that all was right.
he stood looking at her reflection in a
lirror, but she was not thinking Of her
pparel. Suddenly a resolution came
her. Skimming down a staircase.
be left the house and ten minutes
tier opened the door Of the room