The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1928-12-07
Between Two
Loves
BY DUFoRD JENNIE
''tVssFTsTs3F'fT19's
(CopyriRht.l

said quickly, startled ana
shocked by her friends words.
But it's true Gladys, and thought
I ought to tell you. II Elmore doesn't
love you enough to take care Of your
mother, I don't think he is worthy OF
you; for we all know Of the love be-
tween you and your mother. Yes,
was In the office, and Elmore was chat
ting with Blake: and heard him say
distinctly: I don't know what to do
with Gladys mother And the fact
that you have been engaged for three
years shows something, too. He has
been making fair salary right along
what Is he doing with itT'
After Ruth had gone Gladys sat
alone In her room and poRdered the
situation, and as she thought her
mood darkened Something was wrong.
1t had been a long engagement, and
when, out Of her longing to have Ill
more with her, she had suggested In
indirect ways that she wished they
could have home together, he had
evaded her suggestion.
"Not even Elmore ID dearer to me
than you, mother dear, and between
you and him, can make a quick
choice" Gladys thought to herself.
"But / DON'T don't want to give him
up!" her heart told her.
The rest Of the afternoon the prob
lem raced back and forth In her mind.
It seemed so logical, the explanation
Of Elmore's action on the basis Of
what Ruth had heard. Yet Gladys had
never dreamed that Elmore had ever
thought of separating them. They
had been so happy together over the
many years.
as this was happening 1t would break
her heart" Gladys warned herself,
land / must not let hint Of 1t reach
her. / will talk with Elmore, though"
That evening when her fair-haired.
smiling lover held her In his arms just
before leaving after his visit, she ven
tured to touch upon the subject that
was troubling her
Dear, is there any reason-any real
reason why we can't have home to-
gether now? I hate to ask you this
way" she said gently, but want you
to be frank with me-
His gray eyes grew suddenly sober,
and his manner changed. in good
time, sweetheart, in good time. It's
the waiting that bothers, I know, but
wen work 1t out. Now, you leave it
to me-"
She stood In the doorway long after
he had vanished into the fragrant
dusk. He was keeping something
from her, and the swift change in him
when she sought to rnd out the real
reason for the delay-that was sig
niflcant also. There could be just
one reason-he did not want her moth
er In their home
Troubled in mind and In heart she
did not know what to do. But by the
end of the next day she had reached
her decision; and, alone In her room,
she wrote Elmore brief note telling
him what she had heard and inform
ing him that she could not bear to
think Of leaving her mother or living
apart from her after their long years
Of companionship. Then, after effort,
she added the sentence that broke
the engagement between them.
AS she slipped down the stairs, her
mother came into the hall.
Gladys, Elmore telephoned that he
was coming over" her mother said
smiling, her gentle, motherly face
frightened with pleasure.
Gladys stopped short. Mother,
please tell him not to come really
don't want to see him"
why, child, isis there something
wrong?" her mother asked with sud-
den concern.
Nothing, much, mother mine. Just
phone him." Gladys said hastily, slip
ping out. Pm going to the mail box"
When she returned she stole into
her room, her heart too full to risk
even meeting her mother. AS she sat
beside the window she heard Elnore's
voice and her mothers In the garden.
"She is worried, my boy, over
something her mothers sweet voice
was saying.
Il don't blame her. guess we might
as well let her into the secret. The
house Is about finished, anyway
your rooms are o. K, and Gladys and
| can get along. How'd you like the
rooms?' Elmore's CHEEKY voice asked.
oh SO much. 1t will seem like
heaven to be with you and Gladys"
"And we will be sure glad to have
you What family we will make !'
he broke in ga1ly Now I'll hunt up
Gladys. She ought to have come by
this time"
Gladys was athriil with her discov-
cry. She knew now. He had been
building house for them. Her moth
er was In the secret; and 1t was to
be surprise. But when he came In
and gathered her In his arms she
made him tell the story over again
and then she asked: "But didn't you
tell Blake that you didn't know what
TO do with motherf'
"Ah! l see-I see what put the
shadows In your brown eyes, Honey"
he said. slowly. ''Listen. Blake Is a
house designer, and / said something
like that to him, because / wasn't sure
how to give your mother some privacy
and yet have her one OF us; but Blake
told me. You seeg"
Gladys pulled his blonde head down
to hers and kissed him. "Oh, my
dear-I do do" And with the
words that came from the depths OF
her heard the shadows Of doubt van.
iShPd Instead OF ehonSinn halSuaan