Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-05-27
PLANS AND COMPLICATIONS
CHAPTER IT

1t was too warm to stay indoors,
SO Winthrop and l went out to my
favorite place under the trees. 1t
was a gorgeous midsummer even
ing, a drowsy, placid evening too in
dolent even to stir into a breeze.
l 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 pull
ed one of the wicker armchairs close
so he could hold my hand while we
talked. That was such a glorious
evening, hat first evening of being
engaged-and 1 felt SO important
about it!
"Ive never been engaged before"
1 said once, and VIII laughed.
Nor l." he answered. 80 we're
even on that. Do you think you are
always going to be in love with me?"
"Of course" / answered promptly.
DO you?"
"Of Counsel"
I smile, though sometimes sadly,
when / think about those silly, won
derful talks we had. We were both
SO young and both so ignorant! We
held out u hands l~aughingly, and
life poured into them it's most won
derful gift. which is love. And we
were too immature to appreciate it!
DO you think you are going to
be happy, settling down here as my
wife?" Win asked once.
I 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 winter as it lay in
his. Somehow that handclasp sym
bolized all / wanted from life
strength and protection.
"You know l love it here" 1 an
swered.
1--WE 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.
ever here, on my salary, but she'll
let us have a generous enough al
lowance. Only--it won't seem much
to you"
II wouldn't mind being poor a
Bit" 1 answered. IN fact, l think
it would be fun. I've never bee
poor. 1 can cook o and sew and
do all sorts of useful things"
But L don't want you to. Your
hands are so little and white, T don't
wait W ote tlltlIl uOiilS Woihs
He held up my hand and looked at
it. "Your hands look almost trans
parent, Connie, they are so small
and delicate and the blue veins show
in your skin. I like them So" And
he kissed the hand he held.
II could let my aunt go on with
my allowance" I remarked. But
l should hate to-"
Il don't want o tor he said,
suddenly reused. Don't worry,
wen have enough without that.
Only it will mean a much simpler
life than the one you've been used
to-"
But that's what I want" I pro-
tested. "Oh, Win, wen buy one of
those lovely farmhouses on the road
up the mountain. just outside the
town, and we'll do ii over in the
sweetest way, I'll have garden
parties every week in summer and
bridge clubs and dances for you in
winter. and I'll drive my car in to
your Office for you every day
Meantime Wen rem a furnished
house in town."
it over" l said. "Oh Win, that
would be lovely. This house was
Just built for two"
L stopped, for another thought
had just come to me.
win, what is your mother going
to say about this? After all, we've
only known each other a few weeks.
and she doesn't know me well, and
she's SO very fond of you? She won't
think I'll know how to take care of
you properly"
Don't let's worry about that"
Win laughed. Mother knows I'm
in love with you. She thinks it is
splendid. She's hoping for this-and
she will be delighted when l tell
her"
when shall you tell her?" I ask
ed eagerly. This was such a delight
full game TO play, this game of being
in love and engaged.
Tonight. Dc you think / could
keep it to myself until morning? I