The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-06-28
keSurreCted
Romance
Copyright, 1912, by Associated Literary
PreSsl
By Lillian e. Sweetser

Sopyrlght, lyl2, by Associated Literary
Press.)
Bang,!!!
The slam of the big front door shook
the house
Aunt Hetty. sitting at her sunny
window, started at the noise, and,
glancing out, saw Jack Maynard run
down the steps and hurry away-anger
and decision in every movement
few moments later step on the
stairs announced the arrival of her
niece, Mabel, a sweet, lovable girl, but
somewhat spoiled by the constant at
tention of the whole household to
every within of its youngest member.
As the door opened, flushed, tear
stained face appeared, and Mabel was
soon embodied in Aunt Hetty's com
forting arms, while the soft, white
hands caressingly smoothed the tum-
bled hair
As far back as Mabel could remem-
Der, Aunt Hetty had always been her
refuge-her haven In all of childhood's
storms. and, even now, young wom-
an, with sparkling engagement ring,
the sweet, old lady was still her con-
fidant
Day after day she might be found
In the same rocker, In the same win
dow, occupied with dainty bit of sew
ing, which, when finished, invariably
found its way into Mabels wardrobe;
and nobody knew of the dreams and
memories woven into the sheer gar
ments. Happy days passed In review,
as some girlish confidence would re
call similar occurrence in her own
history; and, though years had passed,
a tear would fall for the lad who had
died to save others.
After the burst of grief had sub
sided, Mabel raised her head. and
gravely announced:
Jack and | are through, Auntie."
At the question in the gentle look she
added: well, 1t is Just this way. dear;
II he cannot trust me now, he never
will. and | viii not stand being order
ed like a child" A sob interrupted,
then she went on:
You know those beautiful roses
papa brought home for me yesterday
are in the library. When Jack noticed
them, to tease him, | asked him II he
did not think they We're a nice pres
emit He asked whom they were from,
of course, and | said, a gentleman
Then, instead of Joking, as | was do
ing, he got angry, and ordered me to
tell him who sent them. At that nat
urally, | would not, when he was so
l. 4. -, Two
was willing to believe that | had been
playing with him all the time When
/ was wearing his ring, too, auntie!
tried to give 1t back, but he threw 1t
on the floor and rushed out, without
giving me a chance to explain. Now
he can stay, If he doesn't care any
more than that!i" A fresh burst of
tears and the curly head went deep
into the comforting lap.
Aunt Hetty thoughtfully contem-
plated the sorrowful figure.
do you think that you were just
right yourself, dear? Remember that
the forbearance and forgiveness of
true love cannot always be on one
side. True hearts should be above
joke
IT know 1t wasn't right" was the
faint response, but l meant to tell
him in q moment, and never thought
of him doing that way. He ought to
have had more faith in me than that"
Mabel wiped her eyes defiantly.
Aunt Hetty sighed, and mist came
.h
Little girl, people can live years in
a minute-countries and lives be de-
stroyed. but an angry word lives for
ever. Would you like to hear story
"a true one, about girl, just as low
ing, impulsive, and thoughtless as
your"
Mabel assented eagerly, her own
woes forgotten for the time, at the
prospect of one of her aunt's stories.
Years ago." began the sweet voice,
"a girl lived in a beautiful southern
town. She had everything to make her
happy-father, mother, brother, and
home, of which she loved every nook
and corner. She was very popular In
the younger set, and many were the
fiattering proposals OF marriage that
she received. But, in her open-hearted
manner, she liked them all the same.
and after repeated refusals Contrary
to the usual rule) they were all like
big brothers to her-eyer watchful for
her pleasure and comfort, without riv-
airy and jealousy.
Matters went on this way for sew
eral seasons. Gossips wondered
talked. and finally doomed her to
solitary spinsterhood, as one after an
other Joined the ranks Of the big
brothers.
But one day came change. The
girls brother brought home friend
a former college roommate. His home
was far away, and on a trip for the
business interests of his father he had
combined duty with the pleasure of
visit to his friend.
I'VE read Of love at first sight, and
think that is what 1t must have been.
for. from the first, the girl was diff
ferent person. The interest was mu-
tual. and they rode, danced, and sang
together. In quieter moods, the quaint,
old summer house was their retreat,
where many happy hours were spent,
reading together or exchanging con-
dences. The whole household realized
how matters we're developing, even be-
fore they did themselves, but, as the
young man was above reproach In
every respect. all were discreetly
blind.
Meanwhile, the young mans father
was growing impatient for his return,
20 the inevitable parting grew near. It