The herald., 1913-01-23
Her Decision
By BEATRICE STURDEVANT

old. Every one said what a pity it was
that she didn't have a lover. 50 thai
she could be married and thus he pro
vided for. She did have a lover. but he
had gone away, no one knew nor cared
where, for he was Il ne'er do well.
shiftless. worthless. But he was neal
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 1t with him.
But Providence at the time Lucy was
left an orphan raised up friend to her.
Stephen Woodbridge, a neighbor, thir
ty-five years old. hired a woman to 2"
into the Merton home and remain there
with Lucy until she could form a plan
for her future. Stephen did more than
this. He had her fathers farm ap-
praised by several good men in the
neighbOrhOod and bought it 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
to be provided for" A great Joy at the
mere suggestion welled up in stephens
heart I'm too old for her." he re
piled. But, though he knew this. he
did not act upon ii. He went to Lucy
and told her that If she could be salts
fed to be his wife her problem would
be solved.
Lucy had been thinking a great deai
during her trouble about James
Tucker. her lover, and wished he were
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
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 year after he"
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 a wedding outfit and made i'm.
provements in his house preparatory
to the reception of his bride.
But a 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 It. Stephen
knew that Tucker had returned and
was informed that he had been de.
voted to Lucy. his informer adding
that it 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
out for Tucker. went to Lucy and told
her that he was ready to give her up.
Lucy seemed much distressed. but
made no reply. IF Jim has nothing
with which to support you" added
Stephen. you have means of your
own. for since l bought your farm
railroad has been projected to run
close beside 1t. and it is now worth
double what / paid you for 1t. That
excess ] 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
place-with a change Of grooms. I'm
less you wish 1t to the contrary l will
give orders to that effect. II l don't
hear from you during today will con-
slider my offer accepted"
He left her In great perplexity. That
afternoon Tucker came to see her to
say goodby, he said When he went
away he had received permission to go
to Woodbridge and tell him that his
proposition to Lucy had been accepted
1t was a great blow to Woodbridge
but he bore up manfully and set about
completing the arrangements for a
wedding at which he was to have been
the groom, but was now to be replaced
by one whose age was more in keeping
with that Of the bride.
The evening before the wedding was
to take place Stephen sat down in his
lonely house before fireplace, threw on
some logs and gave himself up to de-
spondency. He had met with the dis
appointment of his life. At that same
hour the next evening the girl who was
to have been his was to be welded to
another.
While he was sitting there Lucy was
trying on the wedding dress that he
had provided. to see that all was right
She stood looking at her reflection in a
mirror, but she was not thinking of her
apparel. Suddenly a resolution came
TO her. Swimming down a staircase.
she left the house and ten minutes
later opened the door Of the room
where Stephen Woodbridge sat and.
kneeling beside him. threw her arms
about him.
An hour later Lucy in her home was
married to Stephen Woodbridge. after