The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-02-13


garct's voice said, YEARLY. Three
months ago you didn't want me-and
you went away and NY heart broke,
and then ! came up here, and Kent
Cartwright was so dear and good and
kind-aud he loved me-ald sol
promised"
DO you love him."
I-I-don't know" she said. Il
only know that | dread tomorrow
that If it 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
in the mans voice. why, you are
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"
Il went because of a promise had
made my mother. She said that
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 wait"
And | didn't wait
yesterday l came back-and you
were up here, and they told me 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"
i must IIilda 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
i must and the girls voice grew
stronger. Il have promised, and |
must not make Kent miserable"
1t doesn't seem fair and just" the
mans voice enreated Perhaps il
I could go to him"
No" said Margaret; you must
not"
"Oh, but he must" said a tremuloua
voice from above. Don't be startled.
It's only Hilda. II had been prac-
ticing in the dark, and | couldn't help
hearing. Please-may | come down
l am sure l can straighten things
out"
"Hilda," said Margaret, what shall
/ do?"
Hilda carried with her 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 il
one Of the saints from the stained
glass windows had descended to give
succor to those who needed help.
Il couldn't help hearing" Hida
said again, as she set the candle care
fully 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 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 p"
This afternoon Kent came to me
and told me that he had made a mis-
take; that he was afraid you did not
love him; that he was a plain man
and you were untitled to be the wife
OF farmer. He found that-there
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 if l married
Philip instead of him."
81 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 20
he asked, his pleasant eyes smiling
into Hildas confused ones.
Il sent him away" she stammered,
and he was going to marry Mar
garet-'
You dear women" Phil said with
your sense of honor. What would
we men do without you as beacon
lights to guide Us toward the truth 2"
The next day there was a double
wedding. Hilda protested that she
had nothing ready. But Margaret's
elaborate trousseau provided the
dainty and lovely garments which
were necessary. A white silk from
the brides outfit made Hilda a we'd
ding gown more elegant than any
she could have bought for herself.
you gave me my happiness, surely l
can give you a wedding gown" Mar
garet insisted, and Kent added his en-
treaties that she would accept the
gift so graciously offered. We can
make II up TO Margaret after we are
married" he said. and l don't want to
wait for my BRIDE
copyright, 1872 by Associated Literary
Prosx)
"More Bacon"
Many years ago Congdons Tavern