The Lamar register., 1915-03-10
The ONE HE LOVED
BY MARY II. WITHERELl.

Copyright 1914. by " q. Chapman)
Poor fellow murmured Rose Oar
rell, ana her gentle face softened as
tall. handsome young man came
down the pretty park path and sat
down on the rustic bench beside her.
engaging in casual friendly cunyersa-
ton.
The poor Fellow WAS Ernest Har-
per He looked grave and troubled but
1t seemed as though the presence OF
the CHEEKY little woman beside him
made him momentarily forget his anNi
cites
How sorry feel ioI him! breathed
Rose as they parted How unworthy Is
she OF the love of man like him!'
IF Rose only knew sOliloquized
Ernest as he went Oh his way All.
me! life h a sad enigma
Here We're the Facts In the case:
Ernest Harper was engaged to the sis
ter Of has uearvst iiIehu, LOIa Moody
And Rose Darrell knew that Lora did
not love him. was tlippant fiirt and
would bring him pain and disappoint-
ment In the years to come
How she had found this out was her
own treasured secret
Ernest was surprised to be aroused
from his morning 5iumDeI b. the AN
nouncement OF servant that Mr.
Moody. Lora 5 father was IN the patlor
below and would be please dress and
come down at once"
When Ernest joined his early visitor
he found MIR Moody pacing the room
up and down in state OF great agita.
ton.
Ernest he spoke In an unsteady
tone. I've got some bad news for
you"
Ned" began Ernest
NO. Lora."
She is ill2'
"Worse!" groaned the unhappy faith
sr Ernest. boy, be brayel We deplore
1t all. and you have been the man all
| through. but drive her from your
thoughts She is unworthy OF you"
You mean"
She eloped last night with Lieuten-
ant Trescombe
II was a severe shock to the astound
ed fiance. but less from personal grief
than pity for the chum and his fam
| lily upon whom this hard blow had
been brought In measure he was re-
lieved
If Lora loved him" he said. quietly.
she will be happy with him"
! But you-you2 We feel so for
youl"
Don't think OF me. Mr. Moody" re-
turned Ernest Il only wish them Joy
and eontentment"
You are a noble feIlow!" declared
Mr. Moody
"Freei' Ernest Harper whispered to
himself as later that morning he once
again strolled in the little park, think
ing over the acute change in affairs
that had come about. Was he think
ing, too, of Rose? If so, that account
ed for new brightness in his face as
he made her out at little distance.
She greeted him with a warm hand
clasp, her face showing deep womanly
sympathy
81 am so sorry" she said in a sub
dued tone
He sat down beside her with deeI
sigh. 1t seemed as though a strange
restfulness came over him. He knew
what was in her mind-friendly pity
genuine interest She was rathel
surprised at the calm. grave manner
in which he took his trouble Rose
drifted the conversation into genera
channels. She manifested an interest
in his work. She spoke of book he
had written and he was gratified tC
discern that she was familiar with al
its details and especially appreciated
the parts OF it which he himself priced
AT the end of week the Moody fam
lily heard from the truant daughter
She was married ana was visiting witt
the family of her husband He was al
empty-headed fellow. but had wealth
and lively social connections, and
while glad of his escape from marry
ing woman he did not love. Ernes
really believed that Lora would b'
happy in her new environment.
Ernest decided to leave the village
He went to bid farewell to the girl hi