Middletown transcript., 1919-05-03

wv mere lOs dShcU ANY, Will NP
parent Indifference.
"France. He's going in aviation
over there. That's really why he came
east, you know. I've got to go down
town and fix up some things for him
as soon as we leave here-yOu won't
mind IL l send you home in the car
alone, will your"
"Of course not, Gardner" Amy was
trying hard not to choke on the de-
licious 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 to speak in lowered voice.
"Amy-will you marry me?"
us this a surprise party?" gasped
Amy.
II shouldn't think you would be sur
prised-I made up my mind some time
ago."
"But 1 didn't know that. and as
much as I've seen of you lately. it
never entered my head that you loved
me. l like you. but l don't love you
any more than you honestly love me.
And want to be friends-yOu're a
better friend than you would be
husband-don't you truly think, Card
uer?"
Gardner smiled in spite of himself.
"Where did you learn 50 much
about being In love. little Amy?"
I q
very poor teacher who didn't even
want me for a pupil. I'm sorry, Card
ner, but | do care for someone else.
He doesn't even know exist-hardly.
Forgive me, but it's the truth. And
You'll still be my friend, WON'T you?"
"You can be perfectly sure about
that" returned the rejected suitOf
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 to travel too slowly. She
dragged herself wearily up the steps
| Of a familiar house and rang the bell.
: "Is Mr.. William Lane in?" she
| asked the man who answered her ring.
"In the library. MISS"
Don't announce me, then-1ll 60
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
| N amazement.
"Amy! he cried. HAS something
happened? You want Gardner?"
mo, l don't want Gardner-Pve just
| refused to marry him. l just want to
know why you are going away without
saying gOod-by to me. It's unbeliev-
| able"
"Do you mean to tell me you're not
| going to marry Gardner? Why nOt?"
"It's really none Of your business,
but I'll tell you. For the simple rea-
son that l don't happen to care for
him-not in the marrying way Of car
ing, l mean."
"What way is that?"
II didn't come here to talk to you
about marriage, Mr.. William Lane. I
only came to tell you how horrid
think you are-I think I almost hate
YOU"
Billy covered the distance between
them in less time than it takes to
mention it. Then he caught Amy in
his arms and held her till she had
ceased to struggle.
"And I 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-"
But Amy was too comfortable to
look up, so she didn't even answer
him.
After little while Billy looked at
his watch and found it was quarter
to eight.
evil you 60 to dinner with me this
time. Amy darling?" he asked her.
1T looks as if I'd have to. You don't
know how much | wanted to 60 with
you that day. Billy. Let's get out OF
the house before Gardner comes.
think it would be better to break it to
| TIn iltcT you We UceII SOLc lc"
days. even though he didn't really love
me at all. Oh, | wish you didn't have
to 60, Billy can't bear to think OF
It,"
"Would you marry me tomorrow If
could get special license?"
"Yes, any time at ALL"
"Then we'll go and see about it
will you COME with me?'
"Anywhere. You won't be able to
lose me now. And Billy, my husband
and + will be glad to come and visit
you on your wild and woOlly farm as
soon as you come back to u.s."
'Then, I'll have something worth
fighting for now-that's what helps 8
man to do his duty even If 1t is hard
work, too. I'm the luckiest person in
the world today, Amy dearest"
"With the exception of one other N
corrected Amy, and was Immediately
deprived of the power Of speech again
One Thing at a Time.