The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-06-11
A TOTAL ECLIPSE
BY HoRTENsE DAVIS.

How did you happen to come to
this out-of-the-way place, Edith2"
II came because / heard you were
here" she told him frankly, "but
didn't dream I'd be so excited. The
old hack simply crept up the noun
tain with me the lone passenger, and
when 1t finally stopped I'm front of the
hotel porch I verify trembled with ex-
citement at the thought of meeting
you In the crowd. Where were you
then, Jlm?"
II came in late from days fish,
ing"
"That was why I didn't see you at
diner" she went on. "I could scarcely
eat for watching the door, and when
you didn't come In the dining room at
all, was almost sick. 1 wondered If
had come too late, and you had prob
ably gone"
"How did you know I was here?"
he asked, curious.
"Never mind. I've found you. I
went Immediately to the hotel clerk
when / had finished dinner. and asked
if you were still registered here. and
he told me you We're, and that your
party had telephoned to have dinner
saved for you. Finally, from my win
dow. / saw someon" strolling up this
path in the moonlight, and could
barely get your outlines, but I recog-
MED urswalk, and when I saw the
flicker of your cigar here In the arbor,
that was when wanted to come to
you" q
The orchestra Of the little noun
tain hotel began. Then: "Perhaps
you'd like to dance with me2" he
asked.
mo, no; that isn't what I came here
FOR. I've had enough OF that; too
much of 1T, Jim. It's because I've fall
en- in love with you, Jim. that's why
I'm here" she burst forth.
But, my dear girl, that's all past"
mo, 1t isn't all past" she cried. "It
can't be past with you here and me
here. You were always so good and
patient, you'll forgive me, / know.
When l asked you for q divorce II
was because i thought we were not
suited to each other. You didn't love
people and parties and lights and mu-
sic as did"
II did enjoy them" he interrupted,
but told you often what loved
more than that. / wanted home,
Edith; wanted n flreside; I longed to
see your beautiful face glorfied with
the light of motherhood. My very soul
was hungry while you played on and
didn't seem to understand"
II couldn't. Jim. didn't know any
thing about making a home. / wasn't
taught to make home. / was taught
to have good time, and-to marry"
Impatient with retrospection.
THAT was the trouble" he sighed.
God help some Of the mothers of to-
day They are not training their
daughters to be wives, but playthings."
"But, dear, understand now. am
older, and time has taught me many
things. It's you / love now, Jim, not
just pleasure. I've learned to love all
your Ideas, and believe l can live up
to them"
"But you forget that"
mo-" she broke In, 81 haven't for
gotten, but / want to. want to
empty my heart of 1t all. All the
money and freedom you gave me with
the divorce has failed; my whole view
point Is changed. and just want you,
Jim. Won't you try me againT
Her arms crept about his neck and
her eager tears glistened In the moon
light
ITS impossible. little girl" He took
her hands In his q moment. "Let me
tell"
please, Jim, please" she cried. "Tm
different now. I'll make you happy.
You surely can't forget how you once
loved me; that you've held me In your
arms" she sObbed
"But, little GIRL" he answered grave
ly. "I can't forget, either, that I've
recently held my little son In my arms.
/ married again, Edith. didn't think
you'd care"
A cloud passed over the moon Just
then.