Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-02-17
ENLIGHTENMENT
BY EDNA SAWYER.

"A Barbara Wharton knew from tn
first that there was not the sIghtes
excuse for II. The second time sh'
had met him she had known Of hii
marriage. yet TO the strangely re
served. cautious little girl there was
J something dangerously attractive Ia
q 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
il treasured the notes. penned In tiny,
! almost feminine hand. that reached
her frequently, carefully guarding this,
her first affair" from parents and
neighbors.
Time and again she pondered upon
the emotion that would follow discov-
cry Of the intimacy. As one wholly
unconcerned she pictured the resent
full anger of the town. She, the pride
Of all the neighborhood, had stopped
to silly filtration with'a man old
enough 20 be her father-she, whose
family nourished 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
cheeks when, feigning need of informa-
ton as to his rose bushes. Mr.. Towne
had on several occasions sought their
home. Barbara had at first been hearty
in her avowed admiration Of the strik-
ing, well-groomed man. With secret
annoyance her mother had noted the
gradual discOntinuance OF the frank
comments.
note, written the day before, fall
len from its envelope, caught Mrs.
Wharton's eye as she rummaged in
her sewing table, and she picked it up,
disclosing the city mans handwriting.
She read the delicate lines. twice
through.
Dearest of Girls-fm sorry; can't
see you today. But Tony will bring
you this, and tomorrow / shall meet
you at the station and take you up
to the city with me for the day. Wen |
see matinee and have dinner at Col !
mers. Can you, will you manage it? /
Remember, / shall be waiting. Hope
fully, 1T"
Mrs. Wharton dropped her sewing,
crumpled the little note in her fingers
and started out, down the winding
road. Somehow, Barbara seemed very
old, very capable, all at once-was
there nothing to be done? One couldn't
order twenty-two-year-old daughter
20 stay at home. And then Mr.. Whar-
.on's tall, square frame came into view
rs he moved about his rose bushes, and
mother caught her breath with little
gasp. She formed q plan.
you don't mind if go up to the city
III the noon train, mother?"
Barbara was wiping glasses after
'reak.aSt the next morning and she
Ildiit look up as she made the query.
Ia lie TO match the ribbon for my
ress, and-and-I want to go moth
rw
IF you think best, dear" Mrs. Whar-
on tried to catch Barbara's eyes. and
allied. Barbara went through into the
lining room and returned, slowly. And
er mother put up quick hand and
rushed something from her cheek.
Mother! Why, there's something
he matter! You're sickl" Two
trong arms whirled the little gray
aired woman to the light. Mother,
hat is it,"
Nothing that l can't tell you some
Their time, dear" Mother sighed soft
:. There's no need worry-aboat
le."
You'll tell me this minute"
when you come back, dear" Her
Iother hesitated an instant to gather
)urage. II can't spoil your trip.
o and have good time"
mo, sir" Barbara seated herself
a the broad window ledge and braced =
err shoes with a determined stamp,
nd mother rejoiced inwardly. mot Z
ne inch do / stir unless you tell me-"
Her mother stifted a nervous sob
18th small success and stammered with
~ sic WiuS- II
cred finally with a backward glance
terror lest the walls should hear
Daddy" Barbara's bewilderment
ansfigured her face.
"Hes-dearie, how can l make you
nderstand-such little girl. He's
rowing tired Of me, Barbara. Hes
"Mother!" The bewllderment had
Hanged to reproach.
II think he is interested In some
'dy else, dear" Mrs. Wharton fin
he'd bravely, with rush.
ut can't be, motherl You're mis-
ken. Why, not our daddy. mother"
What does II mean. dear, when a
an with a wife seeks the company
another woman who is younger and