Smyrna times., 1917-02-07
ENLIGHTENMENT
BY EDNA SAWYER.

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Barbara Wharton knew from the
nrst that there was not the slightest |
excuse for it. The second time she |
mad 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 graying
temples. She yielded to his requests
Tor her time whenever he could make
an opportunity to visit the town, and
treasured the notes, penned in a 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 a silly Irritation with a man old
enough to be 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 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.
A note, written the day before, fal-
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-Pm sorry; can't
see you today. But Tony will bring
you this, and tomorrow l shall meet
you at the station and take you up
to the city with me for the day. Wen
see a matinee and have dinner at Col
mer's. Can you, will you manage it'll
Remember, l shall be waiting. Hope
fully, ]. 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.
toms tall, square frame came into view
as he moved about his rose bushes, and
mother caught her breath with little
gasp. She formed plan.
''You don't mind if go up to the city
on the noon train, mOther?"
Barbara was wiping glasses after
breakfast the next morning and sh'
didn't look up as she made the query
I'D like to match the ribbon for m!
dress, and-and-I want to go moth
err
"If you think best, dear" Mrs. Wh1r
ton tried to catch Barbaras eyes, ant
failed. Barbara went through into tn
dining room and returned, slowly. Ant
her mother put up a quick hand an
brushed something from her cheek.
Mother! Why, there's sOmethin
the matter! You're sick" Tw
strong arms whirled the little gray
haired woman to the light. "MOthel
what is it."
Nothing that l can't tell you som
other time, dear" Mother sighed sof
ly. There's no need worry-abOr
me-"
you'll tell me this minute"
"When you come back, dear" He
mother hesitated an instant to gathC
courage. I'll can't spoil your tri
Go and have a good time"
"No, sir" Barbara seated herse
on the broad window ledge and brace
her shoes with a determined STAN
and mother rejOiced inwardly. IN
one inch do l stir unless you tell me
Her mother stifed. nervous 81
with small success and stammered wi
the words: Its daddy" she viii
pered finally with a backward CLAN
of terror lest the walls should hear.
Daddy" Barbara's bewilderme
transfgured her face.
4 "He's-dearie, how can l make y
x understand-such a little girl. H'
4 growing tired of me, Barbara. He's
4 +"
4 ''Motherl" The bewilderment h
a changed to reproach.
4 81 think he is interested in son
4 body else, dear" Mrs. Wharton I
4 ished bravely, with rush.
a "It can't be, motherI You're m
O taken. Why, not our daddy, mothe
a "What does it mean, dear, when
a man with wife seeks the compa
a = esI,o, xrornan who is Younger q