Smyrna times., 1925-07-01
The Mystery
of an Old, Old
Love Affair
By HAROLD CARTER


Ava her niece MaryS concession OF
her engagement to the man she had
met on her vacation at Bellmuir. Sym
pathetically, too, for the two old maid
en- ladies, Miss Amanda and Miss
Dorothy, were devoted to pretty Mary
the child Of their only brother, whom
they had adopted when he lay dying.
But when Mary mentioned the name
Of Ralph Lester an OminOus look came |
over Miss Amanda's face.
"And he says his father knew you |
when you were a girl. Aunt Amanda"
pursued Mary, with all the innocent |
confidence of twenty years.
Ralph Lester, in the city, received |
despalring little note from his fan
Gee the following day which he could
neither understand nor fathOm.
The two old ladies' realized Mary's
sorrow and did their best to cheer
her
From timid Miss Dorothy the girl
learned the cause of Miss Amanda's
hostility. Miss Amanda had once been
engaged to Ralph's father, Robert,
who had been dead some years.
And then, one afternoon, a fair,
curly-haired young fellow rang the
| bell at the old house door and Miss
Amanda, coming to open it. found
herself looking into the face of her
| youthful sweetheart, Robert.
"YOu are Mr. Lester" the old wOm-
an asked, pressing one hand against
her throbbing heart.
"YeS, and you must be Miss Aman-
da," answered the young man. My
father often used 90 speak of you"
MY niece is in the garden. You
are at liberty to go to see her, You
are at liberty to take her away, tC
marry her. But let me tell you that
from the moment she becomes your
wife. she shall never cross our thres.
hold again or" she heSitated Il dc
not want to wrong you in my thoughts
Mr. Lester, but she shall never inherl'
penny Of my money"
The young man rose. May I ash
why, Miss Amanda?" he inquired.
The memories Of old days flushed
the old maids withered check. "Be
cause" she answered slowly, your ia
ther was engaged to me. He left mt
q few weeks before the wedding day
She started Mary stood at the door
She had overheard all. She stood look
ing at Ralph, and he saw on her fac,
that her love had never died. H'
started toward her.
MARY, are you going to let the shad
Ow Of the past generation prevent OuI
happiness?" he asked.
The girl went softly to her aunt ant
plaAed her hands upon her shoulders
, Aunt, are you going to ruin our Lives
because your own was Euined?" she
, | asked.
The ola wOman's face was like {
mask "As his father did to me, Sc
shall l do to him." she answered
1 "You can starry him-but my anger
= wfl never be assmged."
t Mary turned away. You see, Ralph
: it Is impossible" she answered
= quietly.
), 'Is there nothing can induce you ts
f relent, Miss Amanda?" inquired Ralph
2 Lester quietly. The old woman saw
Q how bravely he bore the shock. and
= tAe thought Of his suffering added fue
p to her ancient hatred.
YES" she answered. IF Robert
o Lester sends me message from thC
. dead, explaining his actions, his crue
! behavior to me, then l can, forgive"
Through the door came little DorO
thy, leaning upon a stick. She wa'
holding a package in her hands. Sh'
I crossed the floor to where her siste
{ stood and kneeled down at her side.
. Amanda" she began.
. 1T is useless to plead for him, Dor
II othy," answered the old woman. "YOl
:, know-whO should know so we'll a
Il you, when Robert Lester came to wo,
you before he courted mel"
+ And you took him from me. Wa
n that no wrong, Amanda?" pleaded he
le sister.
K, Miss Amanda frOwned impatiently
le "That is between you and me, DorC
IL thy" she answered "If l hav
is wronged you in that. you have neve
er borne me hate for It. You do no
Id know the meaning Of a ruined life
nor a hot pillow wet with tears 70
a frustrated love"
Miss Dorothy rose to her feet, an
her face was ashen pale. She held Ou
the package toward her sister. Slow
. ly, with trembling fingers, she III
If fastened the ribbon which bound 1
J. and the scent of faded perfume di
II fused itself through the room.
e. "These letters explain all" she saiC
r Miss Amanda uttered a gasp {
n fear. There were half a dozen VI
e opened letters, in faded ink, and tn
s. handwriting of them, addressed to he
IA was that of Robert Lester.
lg This is why" said Miss Doroth,
re "I was jealous Of you, Amanda.
Ds hated you with hatred which was
ee yours as wine Is to water. Whe
er Roberts letters came for you l hi
n them away. And your own letter
st which you gave me to mail, I d
re- strOyed unopened. Now acqult Robe
". and turn your anger upon me, Amal