Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-08-31

was dubious. And then, though sns
treasured the least afectionate word
from him, he Just took their engage
ment for granted, and never alluded
to the subject dearest to her heart
their marriage.
She meant to pay him a visit, but
whether abe would make herself
known OF merely try to watch him
from afar would depend on what her
heart told her when she set eyes on
him. She w%orshiped the clever young
man; Hyam was all the world to Es'
Their.
The very atmosphere of the little
college town chilled Esther. In this
austere sanctuary Of learning she felt
herself to be a common little shop
girl, without the least claim upon
Hyam. She shivered at her audacity,
and resolved not to make herself
known to him.
1t vas the annual festival day when
she arrived. The campus was packed
with students and visitors. A Greek
play was being given. and Esther man
aged to cur a place. hoping to g
her lover somewhere among the audi
ence. She sat and stared at the per-
formance. It was different from any.
thing she had yer known or imagined.
Then suddenly Hyam came along
the row of seats Immediately In front
Of her. He was with d stylishly
dressed woman, and they sat down
side by side. Hyam had not even seen
her, and yet she was so near that n
could have stretched out her hand
and touched him. She looked at the
woman with that fierce jealousy that a
woman feels toward the man she
loves; and her fears were less for
her W hold upon her lover than for
his happiness should he love this
woman.
Esther could see that, in spite OF
the fine clothing and air Of superficial
culture. the companion Of her lover
was really unworthy Of him. There
was a certain coarseness of soul about
her, a certain something in her laugh
that Jared and nettled her. Present.
ly she became aware that she could
hear every word they spoke.
"You have told me that time and
again." said the woman. tossing her
head.
"And l mean it. Mrs. Ray" answered
Hyam. wait till l have secured my
degree, and ! promise you that in q
year ! will have the biggest practice
in town. have worked steadily to-
ward that end ever since l came here.
c%ultivating people who will come to
me. l tell you, ! lay my plans far
ahead"
well, when you are in that position
I'll see," answered the woman.
Meanwhile, ! shall Just 60 ahead and
get my divorce. II you don't make
good, it'll be somebody else"
"Oh, I'll make good" said Hyam.
and their words Jared Esther to the
soul.
"How about that little girl you told
me about in New York;" asked Mrs.
Ray.
"Oh, l was Just stringing her." said
H9am. "She is only a common little
person. She's all right, but a man
isn't going to let himself be dragged
down by marrying the wrong sort OF
woman"
Esther crept away, thankful that
Hyam had not seen her. She made
her way to the station and sat with
dry eyes in the train as it bore her
back to the city.
When she reached her hall bed
room she spent an hour tearing up all
Hyam's letters. She knew that her
life was broken and could never be
restored; but something had entered
into her soul that had purged her Of
self and made a woman Of her. And
she knew that she would never regret
that experience. For life and its ex-
periences are sweet, whatever guise
they take, and sorrow is the other
side Of the shield Of Joy.
The next morning, when she went
to work, she said to Mr.. Koch:
my year IS ended, and l am will
ing to marry you, If you still want
Koch was not the sort of lover she
had expected to find, but Esther knew
that at least she had found peace as
his arms enfolded her.