The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1913-02-11
ALWAYS SUCH CHUMS
BY NEWTON BUNGEY.

Mary LlQl6rQ crossed the lawn, swing
ing a putter in her right hand
Through his half-closed eyes Hewitt
gazed at her critically, and he could
not help admitting that she made the
fairest of pictures. The breeze caught
ner curls, and with the sunlight turn,
ed them into a shimmering sea of
gold. A simple, well-cut gown of some
soft, white material showed the grace
IF her figure as she walked. Her eyes
shone with an unmistakable light as
heir gaze fell on Hewitt
Tell me again that you love me,
Oenis,' she whispered
81 love you, DEAR" he answered.
II shall always be hearing you say
hat" she said in low tones later as
she turned to go into the house to
pack for few days visit at
friends house. You'll write to me
often, won't you, Denis?"
Hewitt WINGED as though he had
been stabbed. Several times he had
thought that while she was away he
would write and tell her the truth.
hat he did not love her. But he was
100 much of a coward to tell her to
her face and see those deep blue
eyes grow heavy with misery.
Somehow it seemed quite a natural
hing for a man to love woman and
she not to love him, but for a woman
% love man who did not care in
The same way for her-it seemed
nothing short of brutal.
At length in one of her letters
Mary wrote the following paragraph:
81 can't help thinking, Denis, that
your letters seem. as though they are
written with an effort, and it makes
ne fear that what l have thought be-
lore is really true. 1t seems dread
Jul to doubt you, dear, but it would
De more dreadful to let matters reach
an irrevocable stage and then to
| loubt.
I'VE have always been chums,
Denis, and now we are promised for
something deeper than friendship.
Can you say from the bottom of your
leart that this is what you desire?
Perhaps l am wrong in doubling
you; but if am not, oh, please do not
hesitate to say so. Don't think you
will be doing the right and honorable
hing by masking your real feelings
How had she guessed? He had tried
so hard to be all he was supposed to
be.
He wanted her, and yet there was
something missing, and she had rec
| ognized it.
He felt so ashamed of himself, sc
gnominous. He would have given the
world to have been able to answer
Mary's letter as a true lover would
have done, but instead he wrote:
you were right to doubt me, Mary
There is no woman on earth l care
for like you, but it is not the love &
man should feel for his future wife
1t is cowardly to fly to excuses, but
shall always feel that our parents
we're responsible-they rushed us in
to the engagement.
What will you think of me, Mary
We have always been such chums
and now I am refusing the best gif
that the world could give me. l
makes me feel so mean and con
tempible, dear; but, as you say, it will
be better to sever while we have tn,
chance.
Il don't suppose you will see M
again for a long time. 1 shall G,
away somewhere don't care wher
but feel that l want to hide"
He walked down to the village post
Office and posted the letter himself
Then he turned away and Wake
slowly down a lane, his head bent i
thought, trying to picture the futur
without Mary.
He slept badly that night for thinl
ing of Mary. He began to feel tha
though they were not to be husban
and wife, he did not want to lose he
Next morning he thought of he
reading the letter, and he felt h
would have given anything had
not written it or been able to regal
possession of it ere it. reached he
hands.
His thoughts were interrupted b
the arrival OF servant with tell
gram. Tearing it open, a groan brok
from his lips as he read:
Come at once. Mary ill.
"LIDIARD."
And in that moment Denis Hewi
knew he loved Mary, and fastened t
her bedside.
He seemed to wait an eternity GU
side the door of the room. He did NJ
see the nurse who watched him cu1
ously, and he scarcely saw Mr.. an
Mrs. Lidiard as. they came out of tt
room.
Then he entered, his gaze rivete
on the thin, white face framed in
mass of golden hair.
Mary" he said huskily; 80
Mary!"
Then he stumbled forward al
knelt at the bedside, holding her fra
hand and gazing beseechingly into b,
eyes.
I'm glad you've come, Denis" 81
Caid