South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-01
The Illuminating Moment
By Katherine Hopson

Estelle Nugent's home. She too was
sitting on the porch in the warm In
dian summer twilight. Now, as al
ways. Seweil admired the perfec-
ton of her almost classic beauty.
but was surprised 10 find how slight
was the thrill Of romance, and this
was only the third time he had
seen her since her return!
Il guess Wen have to wait u
bit before we start for a spin in the
car" he declared as he dropped in
TO an inviting armchair. while ago
1 met Leasing, the chap who was
manager of your company this sum-
mer. He's in town on business and
said he was going TO drop i'm TO see
you. I hadn't seen him since three
years ago when you first began to
study with him at the conservatory.
The old boy had added a smart
sprinkling of gray hairs 10 his raven
looks since then" Sewell was play
ing with the kitten that had jumped
into his lap while he talked.
prof. Lessing-here in town ?''
Estelle's voice sounded sharp. Did
she really look pale-oi- was it the
effect Of the fading twilight as she
sat silhouetted against the dark
vines?
Sure thing-but he probably
won't stay Ions" Then he added a
bit sulkily: Nov don't you let him
coax you into another concert tour.
I want you ~ stay here-especially
when you know 7 may be called in
the next draft" If he had expected
this bit of pathos would bring forth
some sentiment, he was doomed to
disappointment. For Estelle was
looking down the street with a
strained tense expression. and did
not even seem TO hear his last re-
mark
Mentally he contrasted her seem
ing indifference with the childlike
fear in Pauline's blue eyes. and the
involuntary clasp Of her slim lit
tie hand whenever he mentioned
going 20 war.
At that moment, Walter Lessing's
tall. erect figure came in sight.
"Distinguished-lo looking old boy,
isn't he? Shows he's lived abroad
and hObnobbed with royalty"
Then. he stopped. arrested by the
pallor Of Estelle's face Yet she
gathered herself together with an
effort. and it was with her usual
finished composure that she greeted
Prof. Leasing as he came up the
steps: but as the two shook hands.
Sewell had the feeling that he was
i'm the presence OF a mighty emotion
such as his lighter nature could not
fathom.
And I've always considered her
cold" he thought confusedly, trying
10 adjust the conflicting impressions
he had received during that one
illuminating moment.
They talked of commonplace sub
jects. and Leasing stayed only a
short time. then took leave in his
conventional, foreign fashion. But
as he was going, he asked permits
sion 10 call in the morning before
he went 10 his train. Estelle consent
cd in a passive way as if the words
we're wrung from her by the force
Of his magnetic personality
After he had gone, they sat a few
moments I'm silence. Then Estelle
looked up with a pleading. conJrite
look in her dark eyes.
"You-saw?" she questioned mis-
erably. 81 didn't realize how much
I cared-until Just before came
home. I'd studied with him for three
years-but / never knew him very
we'll personally until this summer
when we were naturally thrown to-
gether a good deal. And then We
found we both cared tremendously
-. But I told him 7 had already
promised 10 marry you" She
stopped TO steady her voice
Sewell leaned forward and took
one Of the slender inert hands in a
strong firm grasp: Never mind
about explaining. Estelle. Any one
could see with half an eye that he's
the one for yOu-the chap you real
IL care abOut-so you-you're free
TO tell him so when he calls in the
morning. In spite OF himself he
choked a little over the last
Yet a little later when he drove
home through the soft summer
right. Sewell composed note 20 90
with a biz bunch Of roses he intend
ed 10 send Pauline Circuit in tho
morning.
"Tn give that squint-eyed Benne'
/ 10y a merry chase-believe me- he
! declared.