The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-12-02
Her Decision
BY BEATRICE STURDEvANT


daughter Lucy was seventeen years
old. Every one said what pity 1t was
that she didn't have lover, so that
she could be married and thus be pro-
vided for. She did have lover, but he
had gone away, no one knew nor cared
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 when he departed
he took II with him.
But Providence at the time Lucy was
left an orphan raised up friend to her.
Stephen Woodbridge, neighbor, thir-
ty-fve 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 APP
praised by several good men In the
neighborhood and bought 1t 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? A
friend Of Stephens said to him one
day: "Why don't you marry her? You
are alone in the world, and she needs
20 be provided for A great Joy at the
mere suggestion welled up in Stephens
- e.. kzrg ~
piled. But, though he knew this, he |
did not act upon It, He went TO Lucy |
and told her that IL she could be salts |
fed to be his wife her problem would |
be solved.
Lucy had been thinking great deal |
during her trouble about James |
Tucker, her lover, and wished he We're /
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 4
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 a 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 wedding outfit and made i'm
provements in his house preparatory
TO the reception of his bride.
But few days before the wedding
all these plans were upset by the APP
pearance of James Tucker. Finding
his sweetheart about to marry an
other, he reproached her. The situa-
ton caused her such unhappiness that
she could not help showing 1t. Stephen
knew that Tucker had returned and
was informed that he had been de-
voted to Lucy, his informer adding
that 1t would be well for Stephen to
look out for the younger man. This
was said not only for Stephens sake,
but for Lucy's, since fuckers worth
lessness was well known.
But Woodbridge, far from looking
ont for Tucker, went to Lucy and told
her that he was ready to give her up.
Lucy seemed much distressed, but Z
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
railroad has been projected to run
a. t.
double what paid you for It. That
excess l will return to you"
Still Lucy remained silent and Ste
phen went on:
Everything having been provided
for a wedding. 1t may as well take
a change of grooms. I'm bI
less you wish 1t to the contrary / will sr
rive orders to that effect. II l don't D
hear from you during today will con- :.
slider my offer accepted"
He left her In great perplexity. That "a
afternoon Tucker came to see her to IN
say goodby, he said. When he went az
away he had received permission to go sh
o Woodbridge and tell him that his
proposition to Lucy had been accepted. sa
t was a great blow to Woodbridge,
,ut he bore up manfully and set about az
completing the arrangements for :,
Wedding at which he was to have been 81,
he groom, but was now to be replaced ad
~ one whose age was more In keeping pa
With that Of the bride.
The evening before the wedding was
o take place Stephen sat down in his
onely house before a fireplace. threw on Pc
ONE logs and gave himself up to de
pondency He had met with the dis
ppointment of his life. At that same
our the next evening the girl who was OF
o have been his was TO be welded t. a.
mother. -
While he was sitting there Lucy was :
rying on the wedding dress that he vea
ad provided. to see that all was right -
he stood looking at her reflection in a
Mirror, but she was not thinking of her RI
pparel. Suddenly a resolution came
D her. Spinning down a staircase.
he left the house and ten minutes
tier opened the door OF the room
here stephen Woodbridge sat and.
neeling beside him. threw her arms
bout him.
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