Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1912-12-13
Her Decision &c, /
BY BEATRICE STURDEVANT

udU Ueeu uedu Sefeidl yedTS-ulS
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 q lover, but 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 WHEEL be departed
he took it with him.
But Providence at the time Lucy was
left an orphan raised up a friend to her.
Stephen Woodbridge, a neighbor. thir-
ty-five years old. hired woman to go
into the Merton home and remain there
with Lucy until she could form plan
for her future. Stephen did more than
this. He had her fathers farm ap-
praised by several good men in the
nefghborhood and bought it at a larger
price than the appraisement. but even
with this help Lucy was left with moth
ing. because her father had died heay
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
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 if she could be salts
fed to he his wife her problem would
be solved
Lucy had been thinking 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 Woolbridge's proposition.
Stephen had his doubts about the ar
ran~ement realizing that she was
barely out OF childhood and fearing
that she WoEld 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 han always lived
it was nearly a year after he:
fathers death before a day was set for
the wedding. Stephen was very
happy. for Lucy to all outward appear
ances seemed at least not averse t.
the marriage. Stephen provided funds
for "A wedding outfit and =HaadeiH,-
provementS in his house preparatory
to the reception Of his bride.
But few days before the wedding
all these plans We're upset by the ap-
pearaNce If JAMES Tucker Finding
his sweetheart about to marry an
other. he reproached her. The situa-
ton caused her such unhappiness that
she cQn!n not help showing it. Stephen
knew that Tucker had returned and
was informed that he had been de
voted to Lucy. his informer adding
that it would be we'll for Stephen to
look out for tie younger man. This
was said not Only for Stephens sake.
but for Lucy's. since fuckers worth
lessness was we'll 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 IF Jim has nothing
with which to support you,'' added
Stephen, you have means of your
own, for since bought your farm a
railroad has been projected to run
close beside ii. and it is now worth
donble> what ! paid you for it. Tina
excess | will! return to you
Still Lucy remained silent. and Ste
phen went ON:
"Everythiny having been provided
for wedding. it may as we'll take
p!ace-with y change Of grooms. Tn
less you wish it to the contrary | vii!
give orders To that effect. If dnn1
hear from You during today vii! con,
slider my offer accepted
lie left her iii great perpleXity. IL: T..
afternoon Tucker came to see be-:
Say &oodby. he said When he w:'::.
:: 1-HE Ne h''I received permission to -
- so n.hriG@a ami tell him that i!!>
proposition 70 Lucy had been accer;;>.
= WIS ""e"t blow to Woodbr.u.v
II he ':,:p ~ ilanfully and set abu:ii
'>l:lo;%rin- he arrangements for
N':'<::lil.s ~. wili"h he WAS to have been
she groom. D;.l WAS now to be replaced
hy one whose AGE WAS more in keeDino
with that Of The bride.
The evening before the wedding was
TO take place Stephen sat down in his
lonely house before a fireplace. threw on
some logs and gave himself up to de-
spondency. He had met with the dis
appointment OF his life. At that same
hour the next evening the girl who was
to have been his was to be welded tn
another
While he was sitting there Lucy was
trying on the wedding dress that be