The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-03-30
The Worthless
Lover
By CALVIN HENDRICKS

| Since Lucy MerloH Aidlii"So w
George Gray, five months before, she
had not sent any money to Frank
Bennett, but she still went to the let
ter box at the postoffice to look for
his letters. When there were none
! she drew a deep breath Of thanksglV'
! ing.
Lucy Merton had lived with her
mother in the little old frame house
In Jouk, a fourshing city, where
Frank Bennett wooed her. That was
ten years ago, and she was a girl OF
twenty.
Frank had gone west-he was a trav'
cling mainland came back perlodi'
cally, and always the engagement was
resumed. Lucy knew no other men;
she was tied down to her invalid moth
er, and hardly left the house, except
for shopping. And so Frank had no
rivals.
Some women are like Lucy; when
they love, nothing can upset their
faith in their lovers instructive good
ness. Lucy felt that Frank had new
er had a chance. About that time
she began to lend him money-smau
sums. pitifully scraped together out
of her scanty income.
So matters had drlfted. At last
Frank had gone west. He wrote home
glowing accounts of his opportunities.
Would Lucy scrape together as much
as she could for him to invest in land?
It was a splendid chance for both OF
them. Four or five times year ne
wrote to her, and every time she sent
something. She made herself believe
that Frank wrote the truth. It was
five years since she had seen him;
but when he wrote 1t was always as
her lover.
Then suddenly her life had changed.
Her mother died, and she met George
Gray, a young architect of the town.
He wooed her persistently. In spite
Of her love for Frank, Lucy felt drawn
toward her new sutton. Gradually she
fell in love with him. This change OF
heart suddenly revealed Frank Ben
nett in his true colors. Lucy now felt
that she had escaped from an intoler.
able slavery.
The Grays moved to a distant Sec
ton Of the town, and Lucy sent no
more money. But for years she had
a letter box at the postof1ce, that her
mother might not know of Franks
letters and the lease Of 1t had several
months to run. Whenever she passed
curiosity drew her to the letter-box,
and whenever she saw a letter inside,
she could not help taking 1t out and
reading 1t.
Her first refusal to send money was
answered with urgent pleas and prom
ises Of marriage. Lucy did not write
again, not even to tell the fellow that
she was married already. The NEXT
letter was Indignant, the next abu'
sive. Then threats followed.
She was seated upon the porch OF
her new home when man entered the
gate and came quickly up the path.
It was Frank Bennett. Lucy knew
him at once. He had grown much old.
er and looked dissipated.
He assembled the steps Of the porch,
and, taking of his hat with a flourish,
stood watching her.
I'm selling books" he announced.
II have here" he touched package
Ia complete guide for the house
keeper. It Is very useful for young
wives. Makes their husbands contented
and keeps their love-"
II don't want any books" said Lucy
in strained voice.
! Bennett, without answering, unfast.
ened the package.
zone dollar down and one dollar
monthly will give you full possession
Of these three companion volumes"
he continued. you'd better take
them. Don't you want to make your
husband happy Don't you want to
surprise him with
II tell you don't want any books"
exclaimed Lucy Indignantly, rising to
her feet.
"You think you don't want them,
eh?" sneered Bennett. "Then, I'm sorry
for your husband. Maybe he's so
well-to-dO that he keeps a couple Of
servants and you just have to doll up
and sit around all day? Now see
here! I'm going to leave these books,
and when you've thought the matter
over you're going to buy 'em. ! shall
come back here tomorrow to get my
dollar"
1T you're not out Of here within
one minute, | shall telephone to nv
husband to have you arrested" said
Lucy. "Take yourself and your books
out Of here, and don't ever let me sec
. your face again, or you shall be horse.
whipped"
To her amazement, Bennett calmly
: picked up the books and began to 60
down the garden walk. He did not
say anything nor seem indignant. He
shut the gate behind him, and a
couple Of minutes later Lucy saw him
entering the house next to her own,
beyond the vacant lots adjoining.
All at once the explanation flashed
on her. He had not recognized her
He had simply been trying to
peddle books in his own characters.
tic, impudent way. She did not know
the transformation that love had work.
ed In her. It seemed a miracle. But
she was free. He cOuld not touch her