The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-10-31
she had been engaged, she had lirt.n.

she had been engaged, she had nrten.
ed desperately to It. None Of her
friends. hal they known her state,
would have been able to find any pos.
sible reason fer her discomfort, except
Of course that Pete O'Neil affair. But
they would have laughed at that.
Stuart was the one perfect nan the
town boaRted. Like Hilia's family, his
wealth was great. The HOMES Of the
parents OF 10th young people were the
pride OF Glaremont n social position.
In money and fashions, every other
family in She !nw1 ncekly follow ed.
Stuart was handsome with Just the
proper width OF shoulders. His brow
was called noble. He had a perfect
chin and mouth. His hair was black
and smooth. Immediately following
the announcement of their engage
ment. Hilda was showered with enter.
tainment Now parties were all over
and the last moments were ardently
given to the trousseau.
Again she picked up the filmy lace
and tulle garments. She stared dream.
lily into space. Her mother sighed
Weren't you the least bit uncertai.
about marrying father" she question.
ed her mother.
I've never been uncertain about
anything after made up my mind to
do 1t. Such talk is very upsetting,
dear. l think you must be tired out.
You're acting 80 strangely. Hilda."
Hilda shook her head. mo. I'm not"
she responded cheerfully. But she
loft tho r0npo and hnrco Che hur
ried down the road towards the ship.
ping district OF the town. She walked
along in slowly dying sunset that
threw orange and gray and violet
lights on the trees. She went on and
on, wrapped In sweetly confusing
mood. She reviewed the short. eager
courtship Of Stuart's. They had known
each other always. Then his feeling
OF companionship had suddenly chang
ed to consuming devotion. When he
had won her the thrilling devotion'had
reduced itself. queerly, to q sort of per-
fectly flawless companionship, just
like everything about Stuart. A be.
wildered, helpless look flashed into
her eyes. She had expected Stuarts
love to make so much difference in
her life. But It did not She had her
memories still to combat as acutely
as II Stuart's love was not now part Of
her life. She hurried steadily on to-
ward Main street, as IL she would
run away from the haunting thoughts
Of that night long before Stuart had
asked her to be his wife. That one
happy hour. Stolen happiness that be.
longed to her alone!
At that point in her thoughts her
eyes trailed upward to a familiar sign
above one Of the store doors. "O'Neils
Feed and Grain Store" it read. She
had been reading that sign all her life.
time. but she stopped now as If fas.
cinated at the words. Through the
open doorway she encountered the
eager questioning face of Pete O'Neil
She caught her lips between her teeth.
In panic she turned to run. A mo.
ment later Peter swung up to her. His
blue eyes were ablaze.
$50 you're engaged to that fellow
Dale" He swallowed hard.
Were to be married two weeks
from today. In the morning at ten,"
defiantly she gave him all the details
He stared steadily into her brown
eyes. Her lids fluttered beneath his
look.
You can't marry him." he told her.
"You haven't forgotten me-"
I'm marrying the man IL love-"
her voice wavered. She turned to his
entreatingly.
You're marrying q man Of your
own kind, who can keep you in good
style. You're afraid to trust your.
self"
HE is the man Of my choice" she
interrupted him.
But you can't forget me, Hilda.
You're remembering now. that last
night We met up there" he motioned
In the direction of the hill"
Hilda was not looking at him now.