Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-27
A STORY FOR SPARE MOMENTS
Loves BankruDt
L0Ue's Bankrupt

VI AM very sorry" said Mary Benson and
tears stood in her eyes.
Then she placed both her hands on those
q the desponding Lionel Dore and looked
up at him frankly.
But am glad that you have told me-"
she murmured softly and her face showed
token of regret. you have honored me
and I shall never forget you. But you
must forget, you must remain the true,
sood man you are and do your duty"
She was gone. The man sat staring after
per world of emotion in his strong, ingen-
nous face
"she loves me =" he whispered fervently
70 himself 1T is enough. Yes, I will meet
the ordeal and it will not be so hard know
ing that this tender soul is in harmony
with my own"
1t was a strange case. Lionel Dore, young,
plant, impressionable, had fancied he had
found his ideal in Lucia Tresham. She was
the petted child Of rich parents, light,
frivolous, vain. She was frail and delicate,
with fervor of genuine affection in the
subject Of her hearts choice
Insensibly Dore had been led into avow-
Ing his regard for Lucia. 1t was to find
that she wished to be little more than
petted doll. She was exacting, moody
capricious. Then Mary Benson, her precise
reverse, had flashed over Dores pathway.
She was Lucia's closest friend and had come
70 be companion of Lucia until after the
Wedding. Lionel was troubled, shocked and
tnen appalled, to find that all Of the love OF
Ms strong nature was given to Mary Ben
son.
He had fought against the conviction he
mad tried to be loyal to Lucia. Then had
come moment when he and Mary were
alone. In wild torrent of words he had
poured forth the emotion that was fast con-
suming him. 1t had not been proposal.
II was a confession, the wretched avowal
OF thoroughly unhappy man.
And now, despite his misery, strange,
subtle peace stole over Dore. His soul
Knew of his affection Her very words
told him that he was loved in return But
sne was high-souled, she had appealed to
all that was noble in his nature to stand
real and honorable by his sacred duty and
await the final decree Of destiny. with
nxed resolution Dore made up his MIND
mat he would be all he had promised to
Lucia
So the wedding took place and Mary was
there and smiled amid her tender sorrow,
end Dore went through the ordeal smiling
700. and the childish Lucia bubbled over
with her effervescent spirits, never suspect
ing the truth.
Mary left the Tresham home immedi-
Ntely after the wedding. She and Dore
met only once, ana then in the presence
" others, where with due formality they
pade One another good-by. Dore took up
nus cross Lucia Insisted on protracted
tour Of travel covcft.z wide distances. He
Yielded to her slightest whim. weary and
sad-heatted hs he realized. how little there
child
Then they drew closer to one another
tne nisniated pair. FOR little one came
% The household and the secret chords OF
Dofs's uciug were stirred TO new source
2, intsfcsl And love. 1t was after that
wen revelation came that made him still
more devoted to lucia. The Sootor had
sold her father taat her frail constitution
v Vas broken, tnat insidious disease was
lasting her visals. that she would not live
A *arough the year. -
tt came to pass, her gradual fading
ey, and Dore was . widower. Then
~ Truehem removed 70 the Tar South
~ eaece 2e1 y ~ .s.S< xe<,a we rs. 4 :