The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-12-30
ENLIGHTENMENT
BY EDNA SAWYER.


had met him She had known Of his
marriage, yet to the strangely re-
served, cautious little girl there was
something dangerously attractive In
Jerome Towne's keen eyes and CRAVING
temples. She yielded TO his requests
for her Time whenever he could make
an opportunity TO visit the town, and
treasured the notes. penned In t. tiny,
almost feminine hand, that reached
her frequently carefully guarding this,
her first "afair." from parents and
nelghbors.
Time and again she pondered upon
the emotion that would follow dlscov-
cry of the Intimacy AS one wholly
nnconcerned she pictured the resent
ful anger of the town. She, the pride.
u all the neighborhood, had spoped
to a silly Irritation with a man old
enough 20 be her father--she, whose
family lourished upon years OF self
satisfied esteem.
Because her mother was a mother
there was no need to tell her. She
knew of several moonlight strolls in
which the city man had Joined her
pretty daughter. she recalled the.
dancing eyes and rapidly crimsonIng
checks when. feigning need Of informa-
tion as to his rose bushes, Mr.. Towne
had on several occasions sought their
nome. Barbara had at hFst been hearty
IN her avowed admiration Of the strik-
ing, well-groomed man. With secret
annoyance her mother had noted the
gradual discontinunnce of the frank
comments.
A note, written the day before, fall
len from It's envelope, caught Mrs.
Wharton's eye as she rummaged In
her sewing liable, and she picked 1t up,
disclosing the city mans handwriting.
She read the delicate lines twice
through.
Dearest Of Girls-Im sorry; can't
see you today. But Tony will bring
you this and tomorrow l shall meet
you at the station and take you up
to the city with me for the day. Wen
see a matinee and have dinner at Col
mer's. Can you, viii you manage it7
Remember, | shall be waiting. Hope
fully. IT."
Mrs. Wharton dropped her sewing,
crumpled the little note in her fingers
and started out, iown the winding
road. Somehow, Barbara seemed very
old very capable, all at once-was
there nothing to be done2 One couldn't
order a -year-old daughter
to stay at home. And then Mr. Whar-
toms tall, square frame came into view
as lie moved about his rose bushes, and
mother caught her breath with little
gasp. She formed plan.
'You don't mind if / 20 up to the city
on the noon train, motherT
Barbara was wiping glasses after
breakfast the next morning and she
didn't look up as she made the query.
I'D like to match the ribbon for my
dress, and-and-I want to go moth
erl"
'If you think best, dear" Mrs. Wharf
ton tried to- catch Barbara's eyes, and
failed Barbara went through into the
dining room and returned, slowly. And
her mother put up quick hand and
brushed something from her cheek.
"Motherl Why, there's something
the matterl You're sickl" Two
strong arms whirled the little gray
haired woman TO the light Mother,
what is it."
Nothing that ! can't tell you some
other time, dear" Mother sighed soft
ly. There's no need worry-about
me" A
"You'll tell me this minute"
"When you come back, dear" Her
mother hesiiated an instant to gather
courage. I'll can't spoil your trip.
Go aud have good time"
mo. sir" Barbara seated herself
on the broad window ledge and braccd
her shoes with a determined stamp,
and mother rejoiced inwardly. Not
one inch do stir unless you tell me"
Her mother stided nervous sob
with small success and stammered with I
the words: Its daddy" she whis-
pered finally with backward glance
of terror lest the walls should hear.
"Daddyr Barbara's bewilderment
transfigured her face.
"He's-dearle, how can l make you
understand-sucha a little girl He's
growing tired Of me- Barbara. He's
T."
'Motherl" The bewllderment had
changed TO reproach.
Il think he is interested in some
body else, dear!" Mrs. Wharton fin
ished brayely, with a rush.
ut can't be. motherl You're mis-
taken. Why. not our daddy. mother"
"What does it mean. dear, when a
man with a wife seeks the company
of another woman who Is younger and
prettier? What can 1t mean. except
that" the mother sought words to ex-
press her emotion. but her tears were
dried, and she spoke with
telling seriousness. "You can't under
stand, except the woman who sees the
man who's shared her life drifting
from her. drawn by thoughtless girl"
"Poor. dear motherl I'll talk 20
leave him to me Bu6l
now-oh. motherl ] want to go down
to the station, for just one minute.
I've got to, dear" And Barbara was