The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-06-12


10 he seen 81 smri places-especially
In company with II good.looiSing glri.
"nllys satin; tomorrow" he said,
casually. ID the course Of conversation.
"Where 10y" asked Amy. with up
parent Indifference.
France He's going IN aviation
over there That's really why he came
east yOn knuw. I've got 10 so down
town and tx ~ some things for him
as soon as we leave here--you won't
mind IL send you home In the ear
alone, viii your
"of course not. Gardner" Amy was
trying hard moi 10 choke on The de-
llclous piece Of French pastry which
she was doing her best to swallow.
Then She received another shock.
Gardner leaned over the table and be-
gan 10 speak In a lowered voice.
"Amy-will you marry me?'
us this a surprise partyf" gasped
Amy.
Il shouldn't think you would he sur
prised--l made up my mind some time
ago"
But didn't know that. and as
much as I've seen OF you lately. IL
never entered my head that you loved
me. like you. hut don't love you
any more than you honestly love me.
And ] want 10 be friends-youre n
better friend than you would be
husband-don'i you truly think. Gard
ner?"
Gardner smiled IN spite OF himself.
"Where did you learn so much
about being in love. little ANY,
IL learned the little | know from
very poor teacher who didn't even
want me for pupil. I'm sorry, Gard
ner. hut do care for someone else.
He doesn't even know exst-hardly.
Forgive me. but it's the truth. And
you'll still be my friend. won't your
you can be perfectly sure about
that" returned the rejected sutton
promptly.
Amy waved her hand to him and
then turned and walked rapidly in the
opposite direction from her own house.
Her head was dizzy and her feet
seemed 10 travel too slowly. She
dragged herself YEARLY up the steps
Of familiar house and rang the bell.
rs Mr.. William Lane in?' she
asked the man who answered her ring. /
I'm the library, miss"
Don't announce me. then-Tll go !
right in"
Billy was sitting with his back TO
the door writing. Amy walked across
the room before he saw her. Then he
dropped his pen and sprang to his feet
in amazement.
Amy he cried. "IIas something /
happened? You want Gardner?"
mo don't want Gardner--lSe just
refused TO marry him. | just want TO
know why you are going away without
saying good-by to me. It's unbeliev-
able"
"DO you mean 10 tell me you're not
going to marry Gardner? Why not?"
ITS really none Of your business,
but I'll tell you. For the simple rea-
son that don't happen to care for
him-not in the marrying way OF car
ing | mean
What way is thatT'
~ didn't come here 10 talk 10 you
about marriage Mr.. william Lane.
only came TO tell you how horrid
think you are--I think ! almost hate
you"
Billy covered the distance between
them In less time than II takes 10
mention 1t. Then he caught Amy In
his arms and held her til she had
ceased to struggle.
And ] love yOu. love yOu. love you"
he told her for about fifty times In as :
many different ways Look me In the .
eyes and tell me you hate me-" L
But Amy was too comfortable 10 q
look up, 40 she didn't even answer 9
him. \
After a little while Billy looked At
his watch and found II was q quarter
to eight.
"Will you 20 to dinner with me this !,
time, Amy darlingf" be asked her. I
ut looks az II I'd have to. You don't
know how much wanted TO 80 with o
you that day, Billy. Let's get out Of .
the house before Gardner comes. <
think Il would be better TO break II -
him after you've been gone q few
lays, even though be didn't really love
ne at all. Oh. wish you didn't hsvs
10 70. Billy can't bear to think u
a."
"Would yop marry me tomorrow II ] :
,ouId GET a special licensef"
Ties, any time at all"
Then well % and zee about IT,
riIl you come with mer
Anywhere. YOu won't be able 70
ose me now. And Billy. my husband
Ind i will be, glad 10 come and Visit
ron on your wild and woolly farm ~
oon a. you come back 70 Va"
Then. ri have something worth
lghting for now--fhaf's what helps .
nan TO do bis duty even II II Ia hard
work.. too. In the iuckiest person 10
he world today. Amy dearest"
with the exception u one other