Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-02-28


rage. But she got her wraps and he
folded them gently across her shoulders
and they started home.
They walked little way under the
clear stars. The stars gave the only
light except for an occasional CLEAN
Of candle from an infreQuent window.
The night was still and you could al
most hear things growing. Late April.
almost May and leaf and flower ready
to burst into bloom. Mr.. Lincoln was
silent. His arm on hers was steady but
diffident. He held her lightly but Sc
curely. She tried to say something
to break the spell Of the silence that
enveloped them. She didn't want him
to speak because she knew what he
was going to say. But she couldn't
break it. She waited. And at last. he
spoke.
Matilda" he said and his voice was
low and steady, Il am lonely man
and a poor man. I will always be poor
because I do not know or care about
money or attracting it. realize can
not offer much to young lady who
has been brought up as you have: Yet,
must say what must say. II you
could find 1t in your heart to feel
toward me as I feel toward you, I
would like to be your husband"
Matilda walked more slowly. She
moved her other hand to put 1t on
his hand on her arm. She did not know
how to answer him. She felt honored
but she did not feel that way toward
him. The image of Newton Strong rose
before her eyes. Perhaps, If she told
Mr.. Lincoln about him-but She did
not have to answer. After moment,
she felt his hand on hers.
II have your answer he said gently.
"for if it was to be what had hoped,
you would have spoken it. I think you
like me as friend. I want you to
consider me always as that, your
friend"
Il dol" she said fervently, and Mr..
Lincoln, am honored. I will always
be your friend"
That was all Of it. A moment later
he said goodnight to her on the wide
Edwards porch. He was smiling and
door opened. He lifted his hat and
went down the steps. She watched his
tall shambling figure moving away
from her and she had an instantS
impulse to call after him and tell him
she would marry him. She felt such
pity for him. Tragedy and grief seemed
to bear down upon his shoulders.
She closed the door and locked it
behind her. She climbed the stairs to
the big room in which was her great
bed. She sat down in a rocking chalt
without removing wraps and gazed into
the star-studded sky and thought OF
her feelings for him. How did she feel
toward Mr.. Lincoln?
because of his reputation for strength
and honesty and his earnestness In
politics and the law. Possibly also be-
cause he was different from any other
man she had ever known. She liked
hin~well, she loved him, then-aS she
would love an uncle or an older broth
er. But she did not love HIM as
wife should love her husband. She was
very careful to tell herself that be-
cause her conscience bothered her.
AS she undreSSed, he still was In her
thoughts. AS she got into the great
bed. she thought of the sadness which
was always behind his eyes and she
wondered whether what Cousin Mn
ian was always saying was true, that:
abraham Lincoln IS great man
She believed he was.
Mary Todd, Elizabeth Edwards
younger sister, arrived in Springfield
next day. She came to the mouse In a
furry of baggage and she brought with
her an uneasy electricity that was 10
stay in the atmosphere until she went
away. She was 10 then and Matilda did
not like her on first sight or sound.
Her tongue was too sharp and too
unbridled. Her temper was too un-
certain and too cruel. But Matilda
fastened to admit to herself that Mary
was pretty and brilliant.
Mary was short and plump. Her hair
was brown and her eyes were blue
gray and clear. Her movements were
quick. decisive and graceful. She was
an accomplished. vital woman. She
said to Ninian Edwards when she had
been In the house less than an hour.
What about this Mr.. Abraham Lin
coin? Is he as remarkable as people
say2"
"He Is" Ninian told her. land in as
many ways"
ASK Matilda" Elizabeth smiled. HE
wanted to marry her."
Mary Todd's bright eyes bore into
Matilda's.
And you refused him7" she asked
Matilda did not answer. If you did"
Mary Todd declared fatty. land he is
half as remarkable as people are say
ing. then you are q ninny."
Would you marry q man. sight un-
seen. just becau he was remarkable7"
Elizabeth asked her curiously.
Mot sight unseen" Mary Todd cor
rected, but II he stood above the herd
and gave promise. then would marry
him and see that he kept the promise"
But Mr. Lincoln Is not your typo