The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-08-10

II shall be when Judy is better.
That is all l can think of just now.
Her life is hanging in the balance.
We can never be thankful enough
that we got the specialist when we
did. He had found the trouble. The
question now is whether she will
have the strength for another opera
ton. When she gets through with
thatl Well, then I'll talk to you,
darling. I hardly know how I feel.
The days are so whirling. Mr..
Towne has been more than gener-
Gus. If the little ] can give him
will repay him, then must give it,
dearest. And it won't be hard. He
is SO very good to me-"
And now this letter had come aft
er Towne's second visit:
"Baldy, dear, am very happy.
And / want you to set your mind at
rest. / am not marrying Mr.. Towne
for what he has done for us all. but
because / love him. Please believe
it. You can't understand what he
has been to me in these dark days.
have learned to know how kind he
is-and how strong | haven't a
care in the world when he is here.
and everything is so-marvellous.
You should see my ring-a great
sapphire, Baldy, in square of dia-
monds. He is crazy to buy things
for me, but l won't let him. I will
take things for Judy but not for
myself. You can see that, of course.
| just go everywhere with him in
my cheap little frocks, to the thea
tiers and to all the great restaurants,
and we have the most delectable
things to eat. 1t is really great
fun" s.,,<sr,.-....
Since he had heard the news of
Jaae's approaching marriage, Ev-
ans had lived in a dream. The peo-
pie about him had seemed shadow
shapes. He had walked and talked
with them, remembering nothing
afterward but his great WEAKNESS.
He had eaten his meals at stated
times, and had not known what he
was eating. He had gone to his of
fee, and behind closed doors had
sat at his desk, staring.
And now this letter! "You see
what she says" Baldy had ragged.
"Of course she isn't in love with
him. But she thinks she is. There's
nothing more that ] can do"
Evans had taken the letter to the
library to read. He was alone, ex-
cept for Rusty, who had limped
after him and laid at his feet.
She loved-Towne. And that set
tied it. Il am marrying Mr.. Towne
because I love him." Nothing could
be palmer than that. Baldy might
protest. But the words were there.
AS Evans sat gazing into the fire,
he saw her as she had so often
been in this old room-as a child,
sprawled on the hearth-rug over
some enhancing book from his
shelves, swinging her feet on the
edge of a table while he Dragged
of his athletic prowess; leaning over
War-naps, while he pointed out the
fields of fighting; curled up in a
corner on the couch while he read
to her-"Oh, silver shrine, here
will | take my rest :"
He could stand his thoughts no
longer. Without hat or heavy coat,
he stepped through one of the long
windows and into the night,
AS he walked on in the darkness,
he had no knowledge of his destina-
ton. He swept on and on, pursued
by dreadful thoughts.
On and on through the blackness.
!. No moon /. wet wind blow
ing on and on
He came to bridge which crossed
a culvert. No water flowed under
it. But down the road which led
through the Glen was another
bridge, and beneath it a deep, still
pool.
With the thought of that deep and
quiet pool came momentary relief
from the horrors which had bounded
him. It would be easy. A second S
struggle, Then everything over.
Peace. No fears. No dread of the
future
1t seemed long time after, that,
leaning against the buttress of the
bridge, he heard, with increasing
clearness, the sound of boys voices
in the dark.
He drew back among the shadows.
1t was Sandy and Arthur. Not three
feet away from him-passing.
"Wen, of course, Mr.. Toilette is
just man." Sandy was saying.
Maybe he is" Arthur spoke
earnestly, "but ! don't know.
There's something about him"
He paused.
go on" Sandy urged.
"Well, something Arthur was
struggling to express himself,
splendid. 1t shines like a light"
Their brisk footsteps left the
bridge, and were dulled by the dirt
road beyond. Sandy's response was
inaudible. A last murmur, and then
silence.
Evans was swept by a wave of
emotion; his heart, warm and alive,
began to beat in the place where
there had been frozen emptiness.
Something splendid-that shines
like light"
Years afterward he spoke of this
moment to Jane. 81 can't describe
it. 1t was a miracle-their coming.
AS much of miracle as that light
which shone on Paul as he rode to
Damascus. The change within me
was absolute ! was born again.
All the old fears slipped from me