The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-06-01
ON HER WEDDING EVE
BY GRACE HARcoURT.
lSIznruuzlznIzauzlzraEnlsrazl Observation-Disclosures

-
man who loves me Is middle-aged
rich, and unromantic. He has ap
praised me and thinks that shall suit
his household. lend dignity to his din
ners, win him that social success he
Graves to complete his business sue
cess. His name is William Smith, and
he looks it.
The man love is young, handsome,
daring He is not success and new.
er will be successful. His name is
Roger Renfrew. He has been every
thing In his time, and do not know
what he Is today.
l remember so well the time when
first met Roger. We we're staying
at fashionable hotel in the noun
tains. was being escorted by my
aunt and accompanied by a girl and
two young men from the hotel, for a
walk through the forest. There was
an encampment of gypsies near by,
and we stopped to look at them. One
vas young man with bold, hand
some face. After we had satisfied
our curiosity we threw them some
coins. The younger man caught my
coin and quickly pressed his lips to it.
Our eyes met.
That evening, feigning headache, I
retired to my room Immediately after
dinner The window opened upon
veranda. ! slipped out, hurried down
a side entrance, and made my way to
the gypsy camp. My heart was beat
ing wildly, and did not even know
why / was going. At last reached
the camp. He was waiting for me in
the shadows Of the pines. He drew
me to his heart and kissed me.
Il knew you were coming to me-"
he said.
And he was not gypsy after all.
He was an artist. travelling in this
way with the band because it meant
freedom. How my heart leaped at the
world Freedom, which had so long
desired!
/ do not know how long stayed
there, but when | slipped away it was
understood that was to return. And
did SO the following night, and the
next. Soon began to learn some
thing of Rogers life. We were en-
gagged, and were'qto be married as
soon as Roger came for me, and we
would travel all over the world to.
gether.
He could not marry me then be-
cause he had wife. He had been
tricked into marriage with her while
he was boy. But he was going to
get divorce. Iagave him my city
address on the last evening before
we left. af
| heard nothing from Roger. We
had agreed that If did not hear from
him in year and a day / was to
consider myself free. That time
passed-and William Smith came into
my life. He was an excellent match,
my aunt agreed. They said that |
should marry him.
Smith has never kissed me. He is
q typical soulless business man of
forty-five. When think Of Roger /
am mad with angel He has failed
me, and life means nothing to me-
nothing at all.
Much has happened within the past
hour. If retain what havo written
1t is to mock at the instability of hui
man thoughts. The noise at my win
dow was Roger. He had returned
He told me he could not get the
divorce; he hedn't money enough. IL
would come with him, we could get
money from my uncle. and use 1t to
legalize our union.
1t was not the proposal disconcert-
ed me SO much as something disillu-
sionizing in Rogers words and face.
Somehow he made me think more
highly of William Smith.
Come with me now. DEAR" Roger
pleaded
As he spoke I heard steps on the
path. Instantly motioned
Roger to conceal himself. could not
imagine my uncle walking In the gar
len so late at night--but judge my
,mazement to find Mr. Smith con-
me.
Il saw your light" he said. 81
couldn't help coming to you. want
you to tell me truly, dear; do you
owe me? If you do not. it is not too
ate"
I looked at him, dumb with amaze
nent. His homely face seemed trans
igured; somehow | could not bring
myself to tell the trsth.
Roger stepped from behind the cur
ain and stood facing him.
We'll. l see you have trapped me-"
le remarked casually. what are
'ou going to do about it?"
Mr. Smith did not drop an oyelid.
Shall we let the fellow go, dear?n
10 asked me.
What do you mean? What do you
AXE me for? A burglar?" shouted
logger.
And then realized his coup. Pos
ng as my lover. he hoped to compro |
Mise me hopelessly, to induce me
hereby to go with him, and later to |