The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1912-12-24
Her Decision
By BEATRICE STURDEVANT

When Farmer Merton died-hiS wife
had been dead several years-his
daughter Lucy was seventeen years
old. Every one said what pity it was
that she didn't have a lover. SO that
she could be married and thus be pro-
vided for She did have a lover. but be
had gone away, no one knew nor cared
where, for he was a ne'er-do- well.
shiftless. worthless. But be 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 it with him.
But Providence at the time Lucy was
left an orphan raised up friend to her.
Stephen Woodbridge, neighbor. thir-
ty-five years old. hired woman to go
into the Merton home and remain there
with Lucy until she could form a plan
for her future. Stephen did more than
this. He had her fathers farm APP
| praised by several good men in the
neighborhood 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?
! friend Of Stephens said TO him one
| day: why don't you marry her? You
{ are alone in the world. and she needs
| to be provided for" A great joy at the
mere suggestion welled up In Stephens
heart. I'm too old for her," be re-
piled But. though he knew this. he
did not act upon it. He went TO Lucy
and told her that II she could be salts
fed to be his wife her problem would
be solved.
Lucy had been thinking q great deal
during her trouble about James
Tucker. her lover. and wished be 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 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 a wedding outfit and made i'm
proyements in his house preparatory
to the reception of his bride.
But a few days before the wedding
! all these plans were upset by the ap-
pearance Of James Tucker. Finding
his sweetheart about to marry an
other, he reproached her. The situa-
ton caused her such unhappiness thar
she could not help showing it. stephen
knew that Tucker had returned and
! was informed that he had been de
voted to Lucy, his informer addu-
that it would be we'll for Stephen e.
. look out for the younger man. ThI,
was said not only for Stephens sake
but for Lucy's. since fuckers worth
/ lessness was well known.
But Woodbridge. far from lookin-
out for Tucker, went to Lucy and TOLD
her that he was ready to give her up
: Lucy seemed much distressed. bat
made no reply. If Jim has nothing
, with which to support you" added
Stephen, you have means Of your
own, for since I bought your farm 3
railroad has been projected to run
l. close beside it, and it is now worth
double what / paid you for 1t. That
excess I will return TO you
. Still Lucy remained silent, and Ste
n phen went on:
|. Everything having been provided
for wedding. it may as well tak'
Dlace-with a change Of Zrooms. IN