Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-05-22

ley SeIton wou.i u,.~. 80 ulAs.y
things.
1t would save her father from ruin.
and 1t would assure the boys future.
Seton would come. she knew. and
1t no longer seemed to matter much.
She only longed to get it over.
Heaps of women marry men they
don't love and manage to live quite
happily" she thought.
And. after all. being i'm love isn't
all happiness. Look what have had
to suffer-"
And she hated suffering. 1t was
her nature to be bright and happy.
The afternoon slipped away. but
Seton did not come.
She went down to the village. The
rain had cleared off and there was a
faint tinge Of sunset in the sky.
Nan passed the road along which
one went to Little Gadsden. She
stood for a moment looking at the
white signboard with a half smile.
The road led away out OF her life.
She had no business there at all.
Everything seemed just the same
was q child and living in durance
vile under her stepmother's sharp
tongue.
A woman came out of a cottage as
Nan passed and called to her.
Nan knew the shrill. rather domi-
neering voice long before she turned:
and q little SILVER of distaste passed
through her as she met the cold.
beady eyes Of the wears sister.
II was Just thinking about you,
Miss Marraby." she declared: her
beady eyes seemed to take in every
detail OF Mans attire at a glance;
she held out to Nan her thin, cotton.
gIoved hand.
Il was wondering if perhaps you
would come and help us decorate for
Easter. know you don take much
interest in parish affairs. but -
from Gadsden to help. l don't know
II you know any of the Gadsden peo-
ple-but I always find them so ex.
ceptionally NICE"
IL know few" Nan admitted.
We'll. this is n Mrs. Mears 1 am
thinking OF particularly" Miss Dude
ney said. "She is a war widow, poor
thing! such a very charming person,
and so rich. She attends the Gads.
den church, of course. but she is
coming over to help us, and has
promised to bring all the white flow
ers for the font. She has wonderful
greenhouses. / believe. and is very
good to charity: they say there are
always quite number OF wounded
soldiers staying in her house."
Really" said Nan.
''Yes-there are, of course, people
who say that it is not quite proper
seeing that Mrs. Mears is so young
and a widow-but one must sink
conventionalities in this war, don't
you think. Miss Marraby?"
II haven't thought about IT," said
Nan. But it's very kind of Mrs.
Mears to be good to the soldiers
they deserve the best anyone can
offer them
Quite So-quite so I entirely
agree: but though 7 love dear Mrs.
Mears and think she Is simply too
charming, I really think that it is
perhaps-jLst a little-soon, don't
you think?"
"Soon?" Mans steps sIackened
What do you mean?" she asked
Miss Dudeney shrugged her sLoul
ders.
please don't think am criticizine
her at all-she is a friend of mine
and wish her every happiness. But
knew poor dear Captain Mears.
and, after all. it is barely two years
since he was killed one would
have thought she might have grieved
for him just little longer, don't
you think?"
II don't understand you in the
least" Nan said bluntIy. What has
Mrs. Mears done?"
Miss Dudeney. smiled. rather a
frozen smile.
"Oh, don't say that she has done
1t yet" she said hastily. But it's
only matter of time-I refer. OF
course. TO her second marriage"
Second marriage!"
Mans voice sounded stiff.
us she going to be married
again?" she asked.
"She is. indeed--and quite soon.
believe-to that yood-looking young
officer who has been staying there
Mr.. Lyster. I believe his name is"
TO BE ContinuoD