The Monte Vista journal., 1912-11-02

not. The twilight came, ana the oarh-
ness. and still she sat. her head on her
hands, her hands on the keys. notion
less Then suddenly there stole out
upon the silence of the church the
sound OF voices.
1T is safest in here" she heard
woman's whisper. "Oh. Phil. why did
you Gomez"
ITO carry you away with me- came
a mans resolute answer
Butt don't understand" Mar
garets voice said. YEARLY. Three
months ago you didn't want me-and
you went away-and my heart broke.
and then l came up here, and Kent
Cartwright was so dear and good and
kind-and he loved me-and sol
promised"
DO you love him? p
"I-I-dont know" she said. Il
only know that | dread tomorrow
that If 1t were not for the fact that
I'd break Kent's heart, the wedding
should not go on-but it is too late
now"
TOO late?" There was exultation
III tne man VOICE. why, you di q
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"
81 went because of promise | had
NDI nv ClA hat 7
was too young to know my own mind.
that | must have six months separa-
ton to learn whether | really loved
you. She wanted me to go without
telling you-if you loved me. she said.
you would watt
And didn't wait"
Yesterday | came back-and 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-
garrett"
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.
81 must" and the girls voice grew
stronger. 81 have promised, and 1
must not make Kent miserable"
1T doesn't seem fair and just" the
mans voice entreated. Perhaps II
l 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
do?"
Hilda carried with her a 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.
81 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"
But tomorrow was to be mis- we'd
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 2"
This afternoon Kent came to me
and told me that he had made a mis-
take; that he was afraid you did not
love MIN; that he was n plain man
and you were untitled to be the wife
of farmer. He found that-thers
was some one else-some one he had
always cared for"
AS Hilda faltered. Margaret cried,
rapturously, Then he wouldn't be
hurt-he wouldn't care II married
Philip instead OF him."
Il 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.
Il sent him away" she stammered.
and he was going 20 marry Mar
garrett"
You dear women" Phil said, with
your sense OF honor. What would
lights to guide us toward the truth ?"