The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1917-03-01
ENLIGHTENMENT
BY EDNA SAWYER.


excuse for 1t. The second time she
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, n
treasured the notes, penned In a tiny,
almost feminine hand, that reached
her frequently, carefully guarding this,
her first affair" from parents and
nelghbors.
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 a silly Irritation with q man old
enough TO he 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 III
which the city man had Joined her
pretty daughter. She recalled the
dancing eyes and rapidly crimsoninS
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 hnr nynv-nI 1pnfra tinn NJ tho CtriE.
ing, well-groomed man. With secret
annoyance her mother had noted the
gradual discontinuance of the frank
comments.
A note, written the day before, fal.
len from It's envelope, caught Mrs.
Wharton's eye as she rummaged In
her sewing table, 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 ! shall meet
you at the station and take you up
to the city with me for the day. Wen
sec q matinee and have dinner ut Col
mer's. Can you, will you manage itT
Remember, I shall be waiting. Hope
FULLY, j. T."
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 a twenty-two-year-old daughter
to stay at home. And then Mr.. Whar-
tons tall, square frame came into view
as he moved about his rose bushes, and
mother caught her breath with q little
gasp. She formed a plan.
you don't mind If I go up to the city
IN the o o 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, a~nd-and-I want to 60 moth
err"
"If you think best, DEAR" Mrs. Whar-
ton tried to catch Barbara's eyes, and
failed. Barbara went through into the
dining room and returned, slowly. And
her mother put up a quick hand and
brushed something from her cheek.
Mother! Why, there's something
the matter! You're sick !" Two
strong arms whirled the little gray
haired woman to the light, Mother,
what is It."
Nothing that I can't tell you some
other time, dear" Mother sighed soft
~. There's no need worry-about
me-"
You'll tell me this minute"
"When you come back, dear" Her
mother hesltated an instant to gather
courage. Il can't spoil Your trip.
Go and have a good time"
"No, sir" Barbara seated herself
on the broad window ledge and braced
her shoes with a determined stamp.
and mother rejoiced inwardly. Not
one inch do | stir unless you tell me-"
Her mother stif1ed a nervous sob
with small success and stammered with
the words: ITS daddy" she whis-
pered finally with a backward glance
Of terror lest the walls should hear.
Daddy !" Barbara's bewilderment
TRANSPORTED her face.
"He's-dearie, how can ! make you
understand-such a little girl. He's
growing tired of me, Barbara. He's
l."
Mother" The bewilderment had
changed TO reproaCh.
Il think he Is interested in some
body else, dear" Mrs. Wharton fin
ished bravely, with a rush.
1T can't be, mother! You're mis-
taken. Why, not Il daddy, mother"
What does 1t mean, dear, when a
man with a wife seeks the company
If another woman who Is younger and
UGrjt'or? What can Il . a except
thai the mother sought words to ex-
press her emotion, but her tears were
mvetariopcIy drtob onh che cpnlya mich