The Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1919-current, 1920-05-28
THE GREAT
MOMENT
By A. MARIA CRAWFORD

SSSS"Sc"Ss"'o'sc""
20, 1890, by Mcclure Newspaper SyndicateD
He had just asked her to marry him,
but even when he took her in his arms
and kissed her gently, as II brother
might have done, Milly felt that she
was being cheated of her birthriGht.
For II is the sum and substance Of ev-
cry girls life to love and TO he loved,
and Mlly knew msnnctively, MS II is
always given to girls 10 know, that
while Dick Carter paSSively held her
there in his arms he was thinking Of
Juanlta Estes and of what Il joy he
would have experienced in possessing
her. But Juanita had wantonly Tilted
him six months before.
Since the days when she was hailed
b. boisterouS schOomates aS "Frcckle
Face because of the fine busting Of
brown ncckS across the bridge Of her
pretty nose, Milly had loved Dick and
because of that love Of ten Years
growth she had felt comforting sense
Of possibility when she heard the wei
come news Of his fitting 10y the proud,
cold beauty, Juunita. With no COM
junction Of conscience, Milly had set
herself the happy task Of comforting
him and now he hrd asked her TO
marry him, but Milly did not feel the
wild citation of heart and spirit that
she had So hopefully anticipated. AZ
ter all, she reflected. as she stood
there, her cheek resting lightly against
his regularly beating heart, She had
gamhled with the odds against her
and she had won him hut she had lost
the thrill Of that great moment in ev-
cry girls life when the heat of mans
passion kindleS the fire of her own.
Suddenly she remembered old Grand
ma WinstOn'S eagerly prOncrcd ad-
vice. 1.-TWO people never love each 9th
or In the same degree. Its safer TO
marry man who loves you better
than you love him"
'lou are going to marry me, Milly,
dear, aren't YOU" questioned Dick in
that rich, thrOaty voice Of his TO which
the cords Of her heart had always re-
sponded like the strings Of musical
instrument 10 the hands Of n master.
"Oh. yes. Dick, you know that will.
have always loved YOU" she answered
without a moments hesitation. Then
she was hurt, Inundated over her CON
feSsion, for Dick had not said that he
loved her. He had merely told her that
she was the very finest girl he knew
and that II would make him very hap
ny indeed If she would marry him.
But he held her a little closer at that
and flush crept over his face. ~
don't deserve you, Milly" he said
thickly, but am going To try mighty
hard 10 make you happy
And Milly. with age-old wisdom. ont
Of the mother heart Of every woman
who loves truly and is therefore forget.
ful Of self, Slipped her arms around hi.
shoulders In utter abandonment Of
pride to help him through what she
felt was trying situation. He was
giving her the hest that he could offer
Fate had cheated him just rs II was
cheating her, and more than anything
else in the world she wanted her love
for him To help him, 10 comfort him. IA
make him forget the girl who had held
the PRICELESS boon of his love so light.
~.
"What kind Of n ring do You want.
DEAR he asked then 81 want you Ia
have II before the dance tomorrow
night. IT," he smiled own Mt her within.
sically. III you will do me the honor ia
wear It then
"rll love To wear II, Dick. ! want a
solitaire, If that suits you. A gold
band, hut the stone mounted In plat.
num-" she answered directly.
"You're 50 sensible, Milly You're
going to make me u wonderful wife"
She knew why he wanted her IA
have the ring before the next night
Junnltn would be- there, home from a
six.monthS' visit In New York. whore
she had promptly taken herself after
fitting Dick
Milly had always been much more
economical than she really needed "a
be-. and when her mother chidcd her
| ohnut h.r lngk ~ iutnrpst In maui
clothes, the girl had always told her
| that she was going to be- an old maid
and that her parents would have IA
support her rs long rs she lived. II
was not like having daughter VIII,
would soon he married and on their
hands for life. she said.
Her mother, NJ course. wns thrilled
over her engagement She was he
ginning 10 fear that Milly would In
deed he an old maid, which state uf NJ
fairs Invariably seems Ia hurt IN,
mother more than the daughter. II I,
q sort az shock 10 their own pride I,
feel that they have produced some
thing which no man wants Milly',
mother was delighted when the mex
morning ut breakfast, the girl a.
pressed NrSlrr for new evening
dress. Something really nice. moth
or and n handsome wrap"
No homely girl can dress up unt
suddenly appear IN be- rayiShin.