The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-02

woman's whisper. "Oh, Phil, why
did you come"
ITO carry you away with me-" came
q mans resolute answer.
Butt don't understand" Mar
garet's voice said. YEARLY. Three
months ago you didn't want me-and
you went away-and my heart broke,
and then 1 came up here, and Kent
Cartwright was so dear and good and
kfnd-and he loved me-and So
promised"
DO you love him?'
II don't know" she said. Il
only know that l dread tomorrow
that if it were not for the fact that
I'd break Kent's heart, the wedding
should not go on-but 1t is too late
now
.sToo late ?'' There was exultation in
the mans voice. why you are not
you when he finds that you haven't
let him marry a woman who didn't
love him. You and I were made for
each other-you know that
Yet six months ago., she salo'
you went away"
Il went because of a promise l ha1
made my mother. She said that
was too young to know my own MIND
that I must have six months separa-
ton to learn whether I really loved
you. She wanted me to go without
telling you-if you loved me, she said
you would watt
And I didn't watt
Yesterday L came back-and you
were up here, and they told me you
were to be married, and I went 10
mother and asked, Why did you let
her do it?" and sho said, If she low
ed you, she would have waited "
But I didn't understand
Now that you do, surely you won t
break my heart-your heart-Mar-
garet?"
II must" Hilda could not see Mar
~,
catch of her breath, she reaA the pain
that was tearing her friends heart. Il
must" and the girls voice grew
stronger. st have promised, and I must
not make Kent miserable
TT doesn't seem fair and just the
mans voice entreated. Perhaps If 1
could go to him
NO" said Margaret; you must not"
"Oh. but he must" said a tremulous
voice from above. Don't be started.
It's only Hilda. II had been practic-
ing in the dark, and 1 couldn't help
an. sure I can straighten things out"
"Hilda,' said Margaret, what shall
I do?"
Hflda 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
a halo around her head as if 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 carefully
on the reading desk. "And I know that
the very best way of all will be to tell
Kent the truth
But tomorrow was to be his wedding
day said Margaret.
Hilda took her hand. Margaret,
dear" she said, ''can you hear the
truth?''
Margaret stared at her wonderingly. |
The truth-what do you mearf?'' !
This afternoon Kent came to me and |
told me that he had made a mistake; |
that he was afraid you did not love |
him; that he was plain man and you |
He found that-there was some one else |
some one he had always cared for"
AS Hilda faltered, Margaret cried,
-apturously, Then he wouldn't pc
lurt-he wouldn't care If I married
Philip instead of him p -e---4- st-s |
Il think he would be glad-to know
hat you would be happy"
Then for the first time the man spoke.
Who is the girl he loves?' he asked,
lis pleasant eyes smiling into Hilda's
confessed ones.
Il sent him away" she stammered,
and he was going to marry Margaret
You dear woman Phil said. with
your sense of honor. What would we
men do without you as beacon lights to
guide us toward the TRUTH"
The next day there was double we'd
ling. Hilda protested that she had
nothing ready. But Margaret's elabor-
lte trousseau provided the dainty and
oVely garments which were necessary.
4 white silk from the brides outfir |
made Hilda wedding gown more ele-
CANT than any she could have bought
or herself You gave me my happi-
less, surely can give you a wedding
gown" Margaret insisted, and Kent i
luded his entreaties that she should
lccept the gift so graciously offered.
We can make it up to Margaret after
We are married. he said. land 1 don't
want to wait for my. bride."-(Copy-
light 1912, by Associated Literary
oress.)