The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-10-17

| id&ts nc duS"cicur iuuSihS hithsci
! from dark musing. You never met he
they've only lived there two years
1t was before ! ever thought of marry
ing any one, Harriet was In college
you were in France-it isn't very cas-,
TO explain II TO you'll | knew 1t WASH
real love, all the time-and yet
couldn't end 1t all. somehow
"Was II real-with herr Eller
asked. as he hesitated. Joe flushed
deeply.
81 guess so !" he answered. embar
rassed
"She-she wasn't that sort of q
girl?" Ellen asked
"Oh, my God. no. She hadn't ever
had another man friend-she wasn't
dances, even She-she was a good
little girl" Joe sank his head on his
arms again
"You didn't promise marriage. JoeT
Ellen, who was thinking hard. asked
anxiously.
What do you think | I" he an
swered. impatiently. ''Of course
Ellen flushed with shame. She had
no previous knowledge by which to
gauge this affair; she had no Idea Of
the rules. Vague memories Of situa-
tons in novels drifted through her
mind; they all seemed hideous. remote
they seemed to have nothing to do
with her good. honest, splendid little
brother.
And she wouldn't?" he asked, un-
certainly.
She-she didn't want to talk about
IL at all. We never talked about 1t.
suppose that sounds odd, but It's true.
She said that she would never drag me
down-or something like that The
the thing was that when she learned
that-when l told her that it was Har-
riet-then that was the end, for her.
don't think she ever wanted to see me
again. She-she acted little crazyl"
"Oh, poor child |" Ellen said. wincing
at the thought. "She didn't know
Harriet, them"
We'll, yes. she did-all along, In q
way. But she seemed to think that we
belonged 10 each other-in way"
Ellen had dropped into chair. her
eyes were somber.
"Joe-she will spoil your lifef'
Has" he amended simply.
For this little village girl" Ellen
summarized bitterly, In whisper. you
may lose the woman you really love-
your whole future Joe-Joe-Joe.
How could your"
The man was miserably silent |
After moment Ellen spoke again:
who knows about 1t, JoeT
Her mother knows. Nobody else
decent one In the family. She hasn't
been unkind TO her. Poor girl, nobody
could make her feel any worse"
"Oh. dear-r' EIlen's tone was ut
terly discouraged and despairing.
"She says that she can never
marry now" Joe pursued gloomIly.
says she could never look daugh-
ter of her own in the face anc tell
her My God. | don't know what to
do about i'll I've walked the floor.
of 1t. many and many a
night r.
Ellen looked up with sudden nope
But how do you know that she was
good. Joe? Mightn't she be just
elling you So" Her voice lost con-
idence at his look. Nor she said.
she's not that kindr
"Well.' Ellen said. feebly. III she
DOESN'T want you to marry her: II
'ou've offered. and she has refused I
don't see that you can do ANYTHING I
more about 1t Ii isn't even as II
ou had met Harriet afterward-you ,
ways knew. and always loved {
Harriet. and you-you owe something q
0 Harriet |" 1
Omitted, heavily.
you mean-that you can't ask n
Harriet. now?'' Ellen said with quick q
oncern and disappointment
"Well can ~" d
mo. | suppose not !" she conceded ];
nwillingly. "She would have to K
now" For moment she pondered W
ith thoughtful face. then suddenly II
he frightened Joe !" she said. 'why
on't you 60 and tell George the whole II
Dry? He's so observation-disclosures he II
YES you both-loves us all If he II
anted TO take Harriet abroad again. II
have some time elapse. at ieasI he'd II
why you couldn't ask her II
wv"
II thought of that" Joe said.
sharing her confidence
perhaps he'd think IL best never TO
II Harriet at ALL" Ellen unused half
oud There must be thousands OF 20
en- who never tell their wives some IN
ing lile that" ha
wouldn't you mind that?" Joe 80
ked giving her shrewd glance ,s,
81? Oh, don't know But. Joe" en-
! sister protested quickly. ITS all ri,
'ong. anyway Whatever we decide. w,
incomes going to be unhappy And 70
z fell 10 thinking her mind still ba
ncked and confused her breath do
ming fast She fell the ute, ten De
+, of th.. situation: II might mean m,