The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-11-05
An Illusion
Dispelled
BY JOHN Y. LARNED

u
was twelve years old and was adopted
by lifelong friend Ut hers. II Mrs.
AuchinclosS. There was something
very romantic in this friendship which
could not understand, but ! never
saw Mrs. Auchincloss till after my
mothers death. | remember when !
went from my desolate home to that
of my foster mother she said to me:
"Poor boy: loved your mother. and
will love you for her sake
Her little daughter. Della. stood rs
and said. And will be your sister"
AS l grew older Mrs Auchincloss
kept her word. only it seemed to me
that she loved me as much for myself
as for my mothers sake. The day !
became twenty-one she said to me:
Frank. wish you to marry Della"
l had thought Of Della as sister
and believed that she had regarded
me as q brother. was somewhat
taken aback by this announcement.
but somehow it was not an unpleasant
one.
why, l thought. Aunt Margaret
had always called Mrs. Auchincloss
aunt. though there was no relationship
whatever between us-"that Della was
In love with Dan Gregory"
"She thinks she Is. but that is all
nonsense. Dan Gregory is worthless
and uninteresting. and Della will find
it out some day. But don't propose
that she shall learn it as his WIFE,
prefer to marry her to please me. that
later on she may be pleased herself"
THAT'S very complimentary to me-"
said. taking Aunt Margaret in my
arms and kissing her. you have been
so kind to me that have no right to
refuse you anything. mean by this
that 1t is not at all contrary to my in.
clination to marry Della, but l would
prefer that she should love me instead
of another man."
Agreeably to Aunt Margaret's re.
quest, went to Della. told her of her
mothers desire and said l should b.,
happy to acquiesce 1t was no new
to Della. who had been informed oi
what was considered best for her. She
told me that she would do everything
she could in the matter, but she could
not give me her heart since that had
been given to another. 10 this re-
piled that she must be the judge as
to whether she would marry me under
the circumstances. for my obligation
to her mother was such that would
not refuse her any request. But also
told her what had told her mother
that would be very happy in mar
riage with her provided she would be
happy to marry me.
This seemed to have some effect on
Deia-that is. in gaining her consent
to the match She had good deal of
character, so much, indeed, that
wondered how she could have given
her heart to so shallow Il chap as
Gregory. She gave me kiss to seal
the betrothal, and, although there was
no great warmth in it. there was no
ice.
AS soon as we became engaged Mrs
seemed greatly relieved |
When ] proposed that Gregory's calls |
on Della might better be discontinued
her mother did not agree with me
The good lady seemed to be acting on
the idea that the more Della saw of |
him the sooner she would find out how
little there was in him. However, as
soon as he learned that Della was en-
gagged to me he ceased his calls of his
own accord.
After our marriage, by Mrs. Auchin-
Gloss advice. let my wife alone 50
Far as her disappointment in giving up
her lover was concerned. Coming upon
ler suddenly one day. found her read
ing over some of his letters with dim,
med eyes. l made no complaint In
Iced. l did not refer to the matter ex-
cept to speak a word Of sympathy
She seemed to be ashamed Of her
weakness and. putting her arms about
my neck. kissed me- The next day
saw some unburned scraps Of paper
in the fireplace and knew they We're
letters. This seemed to be
.urning point in the matter. and in fu-
.ure. whatever may have been Delia's
'ccHuoS. cApcIIcuCtU uO expression
VI them.
Eight years passed. Della and lived
IN our home alone with our children.
while Mrs. Auchincloss lived in an. I
)ther. Indeed. she refused to live with
IS from the day we We're married. One
lay when ! went home from business
Della told me that her mother had
elephoned a desire that we should dine
With her that evening We never
bought Of declining request Of any
lind from the good lady and at the
lour appointed appeared ut her ho,:se.
We found Mrs. AuchinclOss in the
lrawing room entertaining man
Both arose as we entered. and our host.
.ss introduced the man as Mr.. Greg
Try. Della was a tie put out and
larted IL look Of reproach at her moth
# for inviting her to meet her old
over But the Old lady's reason for
loing so was soon apparent. Gregory
lad deteriOrated. He was the same
nan as eight years ago. but the Greg.