The Washington herald., 1915-07-20
DAILY SHORT STORY

your niece until now2" asked Alfred.
II thought knew all the family
Sydney has been studying hard for
years, and has just finished college"
she replied. IT could not get her to
spare the time for a visit to me before.
But she feels the need of rest. and as
her marriage will probably take place
next spring. she concluded to give me
few weeks now"
Alfred felt as II the bright world
had turned suddenly black. II did not
know she was engaged. she wears no
ring"
NO" said Aunt Jennie. Her mar
riage is really a family arrangement.
and as she has known Matthew Chase
all her life, she would not hear of
ring. He is years older than Sydney,
but I hope he will make her happy"
she sighed.
Alfred rose and said bitterly. 'I wish
you had told me sooner. Now that
have learned to love Sydney better
than life 1t is hard to find she Is bound
to another man" He left his astonish-
ed aunt and STROBE savagely down the
driveway.
Aunt Jennie gazed after him with
mingled feelings of pity and dismay.
Poor Alfred, why did I not guess what
might happen and warn him." She
spoke aloud in her excitement: and re-
ceived a second surprise when a soft
voice asked:
"oh. Aunt Jennie, why didn't you
warn me, too?" Sydney came through
the open door back Of her aunt. and
sank down beside her.
There were tears in her eyes as shs
continued. II was just coming out to
you, and could not help hearing what
Alfred ellison said when he left you. Oh.
Auntie, I. never did love Matthew"
Aunt Jennie was at her wits end.
Don't cry. Sydney dear she pleaded.
II am sure 1t will all come right. Have
you learned to care for Alfred?"
II am afraid So said Sydney. ''for It
made me feel so happy when he said he
loved me-until I thought of Matthew"
The tears came in a flood, and breaking
house.
Left alone, Mrs. Biglow did some seri-
Gus thinking, and apparently was salts
fed with the result, for her troubled face
grew calm. and rising she limped in to
the big desk. She speedily wrote a let
ter, addressing it to Matthew Chase.
Several days passed uneventfully sgd
ney and Alfred. though apparently on
friendly terms. took no more long walks
or drives together.
IN the fifth day after the sending OF
the epistle to Matthew Chase. Mr.. Big
low handed Sydney a letter. That was
all for you today" he remarked
Seeing 1t was from her future husband.
Sydney sought her own room to read II.
Mrs. Biglow was alone when a very be-
wildered looking and yet happy Sydney
came to her after reading Matthews
communication.
Aunt Jennie. can't understand IT,"
she began, Matthew asks me to release
him from his engagement He says he
fears he is too old to make me happy.
and that he has always known I cared
for him only as a friend. He thinks we
would be wiser Just to continue being
friends. Do you suppose he has thought
II all over since ! came away and feels
as do?'
Aunt Jennie smiled. Her letter to
Matthew Chase had been written in the
hope that Sydney's happiness need not
be sacrificed.
Matthew Chase II a good man." she
answered, land I am sure he thinks of
your happiness first Of all. think he
has made a wise decision, Sydney. and
you may feel you are doing right in end
ing your engagement"
Later Aunt Jennie told Alfred Of this
sudden termination to the engagement.
and he went in search of Sydney. He
found her in the old-fashioned flower
garden
Aunt Jennie has told me that you
are free, and have come to ask II you
can ever care a little for me. Sydney? I
love you more than I can tell have
known you were the dearest thing on
earth to me since first saw your face"
Sydney laughed happily. The first
time I saw your face 1t was so dirty"
she began. but Alfred caught her in his
arms.