The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-07-27

"And-I told him he must not,
' Miss Towne."
And l began to think about him a
lot. But / didn't let him see it. And
he told me afterward, he was al
ways thinking of me. And the morn
ing of your wedding day he came
| down to the office-to say 'Good-by.'
| He said he-just had to. And-weII,
he let it out that he loved me, and
didn't want to marry you. But he
said he would have to go on with it.
And-and I told him he must not,
Miss Towne.'
Edith stared at her. sDo you
mean that what he did was your
fault?"
"Yes," Lucy's face was white, eff
/ you want to put it that way. / told
him he hadn't any right to marry
you if he loved me-" She hesitated,
then lifted her eyes to Edith's with
a glance of appeal Miss Towne,
wonder if you are big enough to
believe that it was just because /
cared SO much-and not because of
his money!"
"You think you love him?" she
demanded.
Il know / do. And you don't. You
never have. And he didn't love you.
Why-if he should lose every cent
tomorrow, and I had to tramp the
road with him, I'd do it gladly.
And you wouldn't. You wouldn't
want him unless he could give you
everything you have now, would
you? Would you, Miss Towne?"
Edith's sense of justice dictated
her answer NO" she found her
self unexpectedly admitting. eff
had to tramp the roads with him,
I'd be bored to death"
II think he knew that, Miss
Towne. He told me that if he didn't
marry you, your heart wouldn't be
broken. That it would just hurt
your pride"
Edith had a moment of hysterical
mirth. How they had talked her
over. Her lover-and her uncle's
stenographer What a tragedy it
had been! And what comedyl
She leaned forward a little, lock-
ing her fingers about her knees. Il
wish you'd tell me all about it."
So Lucy told the simple story.
And in telling it showed herself so
naive, so steadfast, that Edith was
aware of an increasing respect for
the woman who had taken her place
in the heart of her lover. She per-
ceived that Lucy had come to this
interview in no spirit of triumph.
She had dreaded it, but had felt it
her duty Il thought it would be
easier for you if you knew it be-
fore other people did,"
| Edith's forehead was knitted in a
slight frown. The whole thing has
been most unpleasant" she said.
when are you going to marry
him?"
II told him on st. Valentines
day. 1t seemed-romantic."
Romance and Del! Edith had a
sudden illumination. Why, this was
what he had wanted, and she had
given him none of it! She had
laughed at him-been his good COM
rade. Little Lucy adored him-and
had set St. Valentines day for the
wedding!
There was nothing small about
Edith Towne. She knew fineness
when she saw it, and she had feel
ing of humility in the presence of
little Lucy. II think it was my
fault as much as Del's," she stated.
ST should never have said Yes
People haven't any right to marry
who feel as we did,"
"Oh," Lucy said rapturously,
show dear Of you to say that. Miss
Towne, I always knew you were
big. But / didn't dream you were
so beautiful" Tears wet her cheeks.
you're just - marvellous" she
said, wiping them away.
mo, I'm not" Edith's eyes were
on the fire. Normally, / am rath-
er proud and-hateful. If you had
come a week ago" Her voice fell
away into silence as she still stared
at the fire.
Lucy looked at her curiouSly. "A
week ago?"
Edith nodded. do you like fairy
tales? Well, once there was a prin-
cess. And page came and sang
under her window" The fire purred
and cracked. And the princess
liked the song"
"Oh," said Lucy, under her
breath.
She stood up. 'I can't tell you
how thankful I am that I came"
you're not going to run away
yet" Edith told her. ST want you
| to have lunch with me. Upstairs.
You must tell me all your plans"
'I haven't many. And I really
oughtn't to stay"
"Why not? | want you. Please
don't say no."
/ So up they went, with the per-
turbed parlor maid speaking
! through the tube to the pantry.