Smyrna times., 1918-03-06
HerAwakening
By MILDRED WHITE
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Unioa.l

Dan had loved Lydia, as far back as
she could remember. His patient ador-
alton, was like that of the shaggy dog,
who adjusted his devotion to her
needs. When Lydia desired to walk.
Jack, the dog, was all joyful anticipa-
ton, when absorbed in a book she ig
nOred outside sunshine, Jack content
edly lay at her feet.
Often as he sat late at night at the
desk in his store of Books and Fancy
Articles" he lOnged to throw the thing
up and go to the city, but there was
Lydia! He could not bring himself to
leave her-Lydia, bright-eyed and win
some, with her indisputable charm.
The homestead was growing old and
worn, and when that slow accumulation |
in the bank should be sufficient, Dan |
hoped to remodel the house, and then, |
his heart missed a beat at the thought, |
if Lydia still was kind, he would dare |
TO ask her to share it with him. TO |
what height Dan planned and added |
his figures, Lydia pulled red tam
over her waving hair, and walked with
Jack up the hill.
At the very top an auto was stalled.
its previous occupant working over u
silent engine.
II wonder" the man asked pleas
antly, 'if you could direct me to
garage?" And as Lydia was return
ing that way, they walked down the
hill together. He was the son of old
Lawyer Tiles, as it happened, and had
come back to look after his mothers
estates. Perhaps the 'lOOking after"
might have been accomplished in
shorter order had Robert Tiles not
met Lydia. AS it was, the days length
ened Into weeks, the weeks into
months, still he remained in the coun-
| try town.
To Lydia, the courteous mOdiSh
/ young man of the city, was delight
full innovation. Her cheeks were flush
ed with pride as he led her into the
Country club, his generous gifts of hot
house roses, never ceased to bring q
sense of joyful surprise. And Dan?
Well, she remembered him with a
smile, Just as she would StOOp to pat
Jacks shaggy head. And then came
one glOrified night when Robert Tiles
took her into his arms and told her
that he loved her. The next day he
was going away, back to his mother in
California, but when he came again
so he said, they would announce their
engagement, and be married. Lydia
could hardly discern his departing fig
ure for the tears in her eyes, Jacks
head brushed her hand in sympathy,
and turning. she found Dan looking
down upon her.
Il couldn't help it friend" she
said softly, 81 just had to love Rob
ert."
Dan nodded silently, understanding
The days were long after that and the
column of figures at night seemed sE
useless to unravel. And now it w9s
the months which grew into a ye9r
and-more years, but Robert Tiles dif
not return. Letters came bringiuI
doubtful comfort to Lydia, and thOst
telling of brilliant achievement in Rob
ert's profession of law-She took owe
to read to Dan.
Cheerily confident was Dan. 30
course Tile would be back sOOn," h
encouraged, "then Lydia would fin
her happiness with him out there 1
that golden country"
But Lydia's eyes clOuded doubtful!
"Oh! 1 could not 60 away" sh
breathed.
Dead hope revived in Dams heal
that night, but the next morning
was destroyed. Lydia came runnin
over bringing a letter.
"FrOm Robert" she explained, HI
voice sang, "he's coming back"
Dan saw the luxurious car drive I
to Lydia's door, saw distinguish
man ascend the front steps. Then DE-
turned away. Years had brought
that other man assurance and pOwC
while to him-mercileSSly Dan studl
his own face with its lines Of sadneS
Lydia waiting in the quaint pari
q felt strangely diffdent, as Robert Til
advanced to greet her. All at once h
LITTLE blue frOck seemed very inferl'
The color in her cheeks still held
| VOuTnIul ITpSuIleSS, llCA CSOo F'Ai'
bright through all the years, but the
vas quick disappointment in
Glance he cast uDOn her; through
ery nerve she felt its keenness, wi
could it be? Then while respond
absently to the easy grace of his G.
II versatiOn, the realization came to h
He had forgotten, through his years
travel and study, that she had
mained here in this one little toy
al The women to whose society he
- accustomed, had found also his OPP
tunities. Sweet and fair she might
but she was after all only Lydia
Farmisdale."
"You will excuse me-" she said h
II riedly, and put forth her hand-"go
by"
There was evident relief in ROt
,on Tiles perfunctory hand clasp. Acr
Ilh to the old homestead ran Lydia.
aveS smorted with sudden tears