The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-09-15
The
Sole Salvage
By MARTHA M. WILLIAMS

blowth, invited Esme to be happy.
She loved growing things, the clean
smell of newly stirred earth, above all,
birds, wheeling, darling, fiuttering from
shrub to vine, or over the brilliant
beds. Their chorus of JOY matched
her mood this midsummer morning
whose level early sunshine somehow
transflgured her. She had come out
for flowers; deftly, with tender touch,
she clipped the chosen blossoms. She
did not crowd her basket-only the
choicest blossoms we're fit for the day.
Her birthday-half her world would
come later with gifts and good wishes.
She would be grateful enough for all
yet somehow yearned for only one
well-wisher; since Austin Fay had
come into her life all beside him were
but shadows.
How her heart leaped at hts Joyous
hail. Rushing across the turf ne
snatched away her basket, set It down,
and took both her hands, saying: "For-
give me, rose Of roses; but / had to
come ahead Of the crowd knew 1t
was my only chance OF asking you
something privately. Something dread
fully important--to mel Can you
guess what 1t isT'
LET me see; Is 1t about the color OF
your new suit7-or If you had better
sell Sir Lancelot, while the selling Is
good2 Or maybe 1t is what chance you
have with Nine. Duvernayr-" Esme
began, flushing happily.
"All wrongl Dead wrong" Fay In
terrupted. "Not disparaging your In
comparable wisdom, you're way, way
off, You, you only know the answer
will you marry me tomorrow morning
Just around this timer
Esme tried to hang back, to say
something gay and Indifferent. Love
forbade; with dropped eyelids ana
tremulous lips she half whispered:
"This bloomed for you-just as l
did. 1t holds my heart in its heart
and myself goes with It," holding to-
ward him royal half-blown rose,
white outside but with a glow of flame
scarlet in It's deeps.
Fay took the flower eagerly, laid 1t
to his lips, and said, Darling, the
kiss is for you-given vicariously in
fear of prying eyes. The rose Is
happy omen-it stands, you know, FOR
silence. And-and-what we do must
be kept secret-for just how long
cannot say"
Esme Started family. 81 hate Sc
crets." she said. IT have never mad
one. Father begged me to the very last
never to do anything that could not
bear daylight"
IF you really love me you will
trust me-" Fay said in hard, strained
voice.
It made Esme shiver, but she faced
him steadily, saying: IF you can
show me a reason" stopping there
as she caught a faint, indefnabie
change In his glance. He did not speak
she went on, her head dropping: Il
do love you'll am ready TO trust you
arainst all the world. Butt cannot
do it blindly-so much I owe to my
name"
"You must trust blfndty-or not at
ALL" Fay said. fixing burning hypnotic
eyes upon her. "Uniess you do, this
IL goodby forever
Esme shivered again Heart, soul,
body, every fiber Of her yearned to
yield to him. But against that wham-
ing passion stood the traditions OF
long, long line No Wyeth had slurred
or stained it since the first OF them set
foot In America, almost three hun
dreds years back. Last OF the name.
she felt bound as no actual authority
could bind; but there was a traitor In
camp-her swelling, aching heart
Duly she heard Fay say something
at first she hardly sensed 1t. Then
his words took hold upon her ear
"You are twenty-oDe today-free
Your own mistress. And ask OF you
just this one small thing-to let me
make sure Of you-before go away"
'Then you lack trust" Esme said
piteously. You should not. A Wyeth
promise has never yet been broken
"On1y a fool would leave his great
est treasure within reach of a bur-
glar," Fay said impatiently. mo need
to tell you, when am gone John lap
sley win make you forget me-f he
can. He is as mad about you as l am
almost. 1t isn't In him to be fully
so devoted
"Please-we need not speak OF him,
Esme said gently. Il forgive what you
have safd-you are not quite your
self"
"Stopl I can't be civil any longer
Say yes or mo- at once-unless you
wish to drive me quite mad,' Fay broke
In. his face working in passion. Esme
loved him, yet shrank from him In this
ruise. After breath she said difh
Guilty: "I-cannot at once. Give me
until tomorrow morning"
you will take me to the station
then. Good |" Fay cried, catching hei
hands again. Think hard, hearts de
light. and be sure you think yes. Now
must leave you-to haunt the phone
half the day instead of staying to see
you queening it here. would not &c
only next thing to life depends OF