The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-07-30
PLANS AND COMPLICATIONS.

II was LOO WARM 10 stay lHuOOISp
so Winthrop and l went out to my
favorite place under the trees. I'll
was a gorgeous midsummer evening,
a drowsy, placid evening too indolenf
even to stir into a breeze
| curled up in one corner of the
big couch hammock, with my feet
under me-a favorite position of mine
in those days-and Win pulled one
of the wicker armchairs close-so he
could hold my hand while we talked.
That was glorious evening, that first
evening of being engaged-and | felt
so important about it,
Il have never been engaged before"
l said once, and Win laughed.
Nor |, he answered $50 we arc
even or that Do you think you are
always going to be in love with me?"
"Of course" l answered promptly.
do you?"
''Of counsel"
| smiled. though sometimes sadly,
when think about those silly, wonder
full talks we had. We were both so
young and both so ignorant, We held
out our hands laughingly and life
poured into them it's most wonderful
gift, which is love. And we were too
immature 10 appreciate 1t!
DO you think you are going to be
happy. settling down here as my
Wife," Win asked once.
/ looked thoughtfully at my hand,
which lay in his on the arm of his
chair. He had fairly large hands, well
shaped and tanned brown This only
made them look stronger, and made
my own hand, rather small look
smaller and whittier as it lay N his.
Somehow that handclasp symbolized
all l wanted from life-strength and
protection.
You know l love it here" I an
swered
I'VE won't be rich. My salary isn't
enough but mother will give me an
allowance from my estate. You see,
father left things so that mother has
control over my money while she
lives. We couldn't live even here, on
my salary, but she will let US have a
generous enough allowance Only
it won't seem much to you"
II wouldn't mind being poor a bit. .
| answered. I'm fact, think it would
be fun. l have never been poor.
can cook now and sew and do all
sorts of useful things"
But | don't want you too, your
hands are so little and white, | dom
want to see them doing hard work"
He held up my hand and looked at
it. Your hands look almost trans
porent, Connie. they are so small and
delicate and the blue veins show in
your skin. | like them So" And he
kissed the hand he held.
Il could let my aunt go on with my
allowance" | remarked, but l should
hate to"
Il don't want you to-" he said, sud
denly reused. Don't worry, we will
have enough without that Only il
will mean a much simpler life than the
one you have been used to-"
But that is what l want" l pro
tested. "Oh, Win, we viii buy one of
those lovely farmhouses on the road
up the mountain just outside the town,
andAwe will do it over in the sweetest
wayl / will have garden parties every
week in summer and bridge clubs and
dances for you in winter, and | will
drive my car in to your office for you
every day"
Meantime we will rent furnished
houss in town"
vs. will live here while we are do
ing it over" l said "Oh Win, thai
would be lovely. This house was just
built for two"
| stopped, for another thought had
just come to me.
win, what is your mother goine
to say about this? After all, we have
only known each other a few weeks
and she doesn't know me well. and
she is so very fond of you? She won't
think | will know how to take care Of
you properly"
Don't let's worry about that" VIII
laughed Mother knows l am in love
with you She thinks it is splendid
She is hoping for this-and she viii
be delighted when l tell her"
when shall you tell herr" l asked
eagerly This was such a delightful
game to play. This game of being
in love and engaged.
Tonight Do you think l coult
keep it to myself until morning?
shall wake her up when | get home
She will be glad. She is very font
of you"
l leaned back again among the pill
lows with happy little sigh.
"Ill tell Ella and Margery and the
rest when they come for tea tomorrow
But they won't be surprised. Ever,
one seems to know it already"
How about your family?' VIII
asked suddenly. They don't know
me, Connie, and they must wondel
why you are staying on in a strang'
little town, all alone"
"Oh, l arranged that" | answered
Il wrote that | was to be under Dr.
Engel's care to an extent this sum
mer-and it's true. he comes to looi
me over every two weeks-and that
needed quiet and rest; so had tallel
cottage with the doctors approval
and my nurse to wait on me-
But they will soon wonder
Yes, Aunt Harriet has been plan
ming 10 come here TO visit and Sc,
how things are going on for som
weeks. | will write her what-wha
we are going to do. She will be sur
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