= I
4i .
s‘
M
r. . ,. , . A.
apt one. With the white satin Mail
about her bare douldors. immobile in has
cool and "about! loveliness. she was truly
like a statue. and an admirable one.
The drsuuiaker knelt at her feet as I!
Mfore an idol. gathered the glenminh mate-
rial into folds here and there. and put in
”It. serious nitti happy in this congolill
“Pit. She :tIltplrt-il .‘lliti't'ni immeasurably.
Mean-w .‘i; ~ llonahorry w... polite and kind
'sd‘d [to mini and did justice to I CM.
haitm'u Ill.
Mildred was not the tire: idol t h~ obligsd
to stun‘mli -'"i‘i1'ly'! l: r. M “'i the knu-
“l lini- ‘. l' I'i‘. lei. \til it ill. llii'k“
O! a I It } Ht- listl‘iiy willful“
hudtr In. lv'ill th- letter calmly;
Ibo hri‘ . In In link-us llm! tteittltlsd not
if all. " Julietuli) the lltriietl. or “it“ SI
um. I" Ii ‘1" H't-rythiiis iict‘ssssl'y. so that
the dl‘tw l.vi'.‘ill it:t lltlHI'l'l. . 4 ‘
If W'V [M ‘lli‘lil . (ll't'hl. Illtl h.f~m‘
ding hm! I-c-nn ltlzluvls. n-I lul‘ the first day 0:
June. owl inf the last fifteen minutes she
had known that [ill re would he no wedding
then.
“If it! 6 PM rose and stood bank I III
feet. to Ion).- ll. the tall. straight young
creature. with her proud little dark head. ID
liobly set off by the lustrous satin. ' '
"My!" said site.
vision. Miss llenaherry!’-'
Mildred smiled then. somewhat faintly.
Ills Was ahle. oven willing, to “"11“. m
mat that late could inflict upon her: but
0 very much wanted alle hour alone, to
sndure the first shocks She. did not want
to cry. or even to think; all that she needed
, was a little space of time to steady and
fortify that pride to horribly shaken.
ride was at once the girl's finest quality.
still her worst. It was :l splendid pride that
made her come out so ltrliwly after her
father's bankruptcy and death and, after
huty years of easy and lutnrious living.
had set to work to earn her bread as l
teacher in a private, school. it was It mid.
diabollc that made he:- aluml m aloof, and
Muss friendship. because ut‘ her morbid
that some one might pity her. ‘
. You could read all that in her face; for
tnou..h she had tho profile, the wide. low
brow and the fine. grave eyes of Minerva.
”.tlioro was that about her mouthsnd chin
which was simply mulish obstlnscy. She
never had listened. she never would listen.
to any warning or advice. Any number of
people had wanted to warn and adds. has
about Will Mallet.
. “My dear," SL1 Mrs. Torhuno. an old
Maud of her mother‘s. “Will can't aupport
a wife."
“Be‘a never tried." answered Mildred.
"He’s never had a wife." ,
“But Will is--” Mrs. Terhune began.
and had to stop.
Impossible to describe just what was
wrong with Will Mallet. Ho cams of a
good family. and though he hadn't a may.
he had influential connections. He wasn't
lssy, he hadn‘t a vice in the world, ho was
intelligent, almost scholarly, and altogether
a handsome and endearing boy. Evan the
fact that at 24 he was still at loose ends
and still looking for hit appointad work in
the world couldn't justify what Mrs. Ton
hune said.
She declared that as a husband Will was
impossible. He couldn't be taken seriously.
It was mice to dance with him. play tennis
with him. hear him recite his poems—but
marry him!
He had «Mom been seen in the little
town on the Hudson whore ho had been
born. Now and then he came to visit as
indulgent relative. and to get assistance
moral and material, after which he would
an altar try his luck once more. Every
onellkedhimandnoouorospoctodhim.
N THIS last visit be had surprised
than all by deciding to stay. He said
he intended to open a dorlgt's shop and
greenhouses. He had looked about for a
likely sits, and had asked for adVlco—
which he got in generous measure. His
rsladous were pleased and rather touched
by his venture. which seemed at once prac-
tical and poetic. and he had received more
attention and encouragement than was good
for him. but when his engagement to Mil.
dred was made known. he lost all favor.
Ho was severely condemned and remun-
atrated with and still further advised.
Will was a young man of no great vanity
or self-assurance. He was fatally inclined
to agree with people. He listened. down-
cast and wretched. to the admonidonsof
friends and relatives. and hastened od to
fell Mildred that he was no good. and that
she would he better of without him.
' She thought otherwise. She had few ll-
!uslous about her Will. but she thought that
with halpsnd encouragement he might,»
improved. She had for him a maternal
sort of love, exacting and yet very tender.
The bell rang for lunch. and Mildred
had diflculty in suppressing a sob of relief.
The dressmakcr had the pleasure of going
downstairs and eating at the same table
with her idol. She looked about the dismal
dining room of the boarding house with a
happy smile. ,
“Well. you won‘t be here much longer‘
Miss Bensborry." she said.
Mildred agreed with that. She know
what she could endure and she know also
what would be too much for her. She
could not endure to remain there. among
those friendly, intsrpstod people-not after
this! ‘ .
. . ‘
S. TERE‘UNE road the letters Md it
again with a distressed frown.
passed-it to her husband. -
Dear Mrs. Terhune:
Please believe that I am very sorw to
go away without seeing you and thank-
ing you for all your many. many kindv
passes. Will and l have been obliged to
change our plans. however. and to post-
pone our wedding for a time: so in ordsu
to avoid all the awkward and tiresome es-
plgining. and so on. I thought it better to
go for a visit. to some old friends in tho
country. until our arrangements were
complete. Of course. I shall let you know
all about it at the earliest possible loo.
moot.
Plosss. dear Mrs. Terhune. don't
think ma ungrateful or lacking in slac-
tlon for running 0! this way. As you
know. I have an almost morbid horror of
gossip, and I couldn't bear to stay “g
explain a hundred times that the wedding
was postponed until Will had improved his
0
“You'll be a pump“
“Go away!” she
cried. “Why do
you come here?”
position.
man is not to be judged by his financial
success. I have perfect faith in Will.
Mr. Torhune shook his gray head.
"Too bad!" he said. “Well, I’m not
surprised." .
As a result, the gossip about has had a
decidedly , malicious flavor. Any number
of people were delighted at being able to
laugh at perfection brought low. All the
malice was toward Mildred—none for Will.
Perhaps. if she had stayed for pity. she
would have been pitiod. but. in running
away she forfeited all claim. to generosity.
So that when Robert Darler arrlved. a
few months later, he heard Mildred spoken
of as a illted spinater. who had vanished
in order to hide her hideous disappoint-
ment, He heard that she had been a
school-teacher. that she had been “digni-
fied” and “fastidious." This conveyed to
his mind the picture of a severe and un-
pleasant femalo of 40 who had got what
,sho deserved.
Not that Dacier gave much time to think-
ing about Mildred, for he was not at all
a thoughtful young man. He was a cheer-
ful. careless. good-looking fellow. who was
a nephew of Mrs. Tsrhuuo.
fused to admit that of all her nephews and
nieces he was he; favorlts.; because she
prided herself upon being a just and sons!-
ble woman, far too reasonable to be be-
guilsd by‘the lad'a curly head and dsbonair
good hunter.
Not that he didn't have solid and excel-
lent qusllties. He was doing very well as
an architect. and was making a creditable
income. Certainly he spent it all, but he
spent it in a nice, gentlemsnly way.
He earned less in a year than his"unclo
spent in a month; yet when the follow cams
on a vislt‘to the Torhunos, those was not a
trace of‘poor relation about him. He had
excellent cigars to odor hlsiunclo. did he
showed his aunt all sorts of little attautious
that touched and dsllghtod her beyond
. measure. She had never had children of her
own. and I don't believe she had ovor felt
much-happier than she felt when making
a round of calls with that engaging and
delightful nephew, showing him 0! with
naive complacency. and fairly basking in his
affection.
Naturally she talked to him about Mil-
dred Bsnaborry. because the slain had
upset and troubled hor. Ha listened good-
humorodly. not in the least intarootad. but
he was destined to be plunged into that
adult. head over heels. and it was Mrs. Tate
hune who was to push him into it.
It happened simply suough.
“I heard about a new tea room up near
Beacon." he said to his aunt one aftsmoon.
"Lot's run up there. Aunt Kano!”
“You don’t want to go with your old
aunt,” said she. beaming with delight. “as
your age. you want the society of young
. ml.
Bs'answerod sanctlyasshowantodhho
to answer. She drosssdhsrsslfhhor boot
and most imposing stylaandodthaywsnt.
ROY!" suddenly cried Mu. 'Ibr-
hune. “Can it bsl Johnson. please
stop the car!" ‘
This Johnson did. and Mrs. Mus
pointed to a hold to the rights! the road,
across which a white figure was neutering.
"Robert." she said to her nephew. “1'-
onro that's Mildred. Igahouldrkuow that
dguro and that walk onywhoro. Oh. dear.
she's going through the Ml I can't lose
her. Dorun afterhsrsmdhrlnghsrback
—thst's a dear boy!"
,So‘otf went yo Dadssacrosstbs
sunny flsld, batch .. . and. his dunk
thought. marvelously float and graceful.
The figure in white had guns through a
gap in the fence. and had turned up a
shady little road. but Doctor took a short
cut. leaped over the foods. andshood ho-
foro her flushed and variant.
“Excuse me." said ho. "but I thought
~you were Mildred."
She was startled.
"That is my name.” she saldz‘ "bnb—"
“But I'm afraid you're not the right ono
—not Mrs. 'llerliuno's Mildred."
Mildred tuned. Mrs. Tarkuns had now.
He is inclined to be far $0 .
sensitive about his earning powers. but
I am sure you agree with in. that a ‘
That'lsdy 11-,
1
got out of the car and was standing beside
it. At that distance she seemed a small
and shapalsss creature. with I'eil and scarf
fluttering, and her hand waving in earnest
welcome.
.“Oh. the doar.thingl" said Mildred.
not tons was so odd that Dacisr looked
quickly," her and saw her gray eyes filled
with tears. Why tears at the sight of‘Aunt
late?
"I'm sorry.” she went on. “I can't ass
her just now. If you'll-please tell her"—
Mlidi'ed turned away her face—“please. tell
her I'll write. Please tell her I‘m just as
fond of her. Thank you! Good-by!"
Afterh few steps she stopped again. be-
cause Dacier. was still beside her.
“Thank you!” she repeated significantly.
with meaning.
ILDBED lived in the most wonderful
little cottage, so tiny. so neat. like the
cottage of the three bears. or the’ nbode’or”
.The old woman who came to .
the dwarfs.
keep it so bright and spotless was exactly
like a witch. too. and Mildred herself might
well have been an‘ enchanted princess—er-
cept that she worked rather hard, and kept
accounts. A small sign in the window read,
“Miss Mildred Eenaberry—piauo lessons."
and all through the day confirmation of
this floated out across the garden and into
the road—stumbling scales. painful excur-
sions in Oscrny. and then the masterly
touch of the teacher herself. showing whit
might be done. '
Her pupils liked her. because she was
patient. polite. and always clear and don-
nlte. She liked them because they were
young. and because they had such stubby
little fingers, such earnest scowls. and such
lolly laughs.
On this morning of polling summer rain
she had escorted one of them to the front
door—a rosy. moonfacod little girl in space
faults—and was opening a minute umbrella
that would shelter the little cropped head.
when she saw coming down the ions the
young man who had been Mrs. Terhune‘s
emissary. He saw Mildred. raised his hat.
and came splashing on through the mud.
with his coat collar turned up and his cap
pulled down. He entered the gate and
reached the veranda stopslust as the little
girl was coming down. .
He smiled down at the child: and. if you
will believe it. this youthful creature. not
more than ten years old, hesitated. and than
came up the stops after him.
“What is it, dear?” naked Mildred.
"If he's going away soon." said the little
girl. "shsn't I wait and let him go under
my umbrella?"
Dadsr kissed her. '
"I’m very much obliged." he told her:
"but I’vs come for a music lesson. so you'd
better not wait."
They were both silent while the child
went down tho path. .
“My." said Mildred. "I am—"
“Of course it’s a subterfuge." said hot
"but ovui atthat. ‘why shouldn't I have
a music Most It would be sucks good
way for us to get acquainted."
"I_ see no reason for our becoming sc-
uuaintod." said Mildred. ,
Dacior looked into thsdistancs.
"liven that little girl." he said. "could
read my face and see the sort of follow I
ans—honest as daylight. kind. simple—"-
Not for the world“ would Mildred smile.
"I take only children as pupils)” also
remarked.
"The sign doesn’t say so." Dacier pointed
out. “I noticed that sign when I was here
bsfore. Legally. I'm not so sure that you'd
be allowed' to discriminate against any
, person of good character who-——-"
"Did Mm Mutts send you?"
"No. She didn't need to."
"Then I'm sorry. but I'm very busy."
"Miss Huahorry," said Dacier firmly.
"if I'm personally repulsive to you. of
course I'll go at once: but-otherwise. why
I
can't I talk to you for a few minutes! 1'-
Mrs. Terhune's nephew, Robert Doctor. I
didn't bring a certificate in my pocket. “I
I hope you'll believe me without that."
Now Dncier was not personally repulsive
in Mildred—not in the least. She consid-
ered him somewhat presumptuous and over-
confident. yet there was about him some-
thing that pleased her. something gallant
and high-spirited and endearing.
“And he‘s Mrs. Terhune's nephew." she
thought. "I ought to be nice to him". _
Before a week has passed. Mildred saw
that this must be stopped. It made her
angry-so very angry that she nearly wept
over it alans at night. That evening. when
he appeared again. he found her vary cool
and aloof—even on the moonlit veranda.
and even while he made his best efforts to
amuse her.
“Mr. Dacier." she said suddenly. "I'm
very sorry. but I think you'd hotter not
come any more."
His voice when he answered had a eu-
rious gentleness. ’
“Why?" he asked.
She was silent for a few moments.
"Because - I'm afraid Mr. Mallet
wouldn‘t like it," she said at length.
“While he's awsy-"
Dacier got down from the railing and bo-
gun to walk up and down.
“You know, I'm engaged to him." she
added.
"Yes. I know." said Dacier; "but—-"
Mildred felt her face grow but in the
darkness.
"I suppose you’vs heard all sorts of ma‘
liclous gossip!" she said vehemently.
“Yes—I did hear—something." he an‘
awered slowly. .
“You thought he wasn't.comlng back!"
Dacier had taken his hat. Bo paused at
the top of the steps‘snd looked at her.
“I can't imagine any man not coming
back-4r)~ you!" he said.
S HE was coming down the lane tbs
next morning. he met the rosy. moon-
faced little girl in spectacles, and they
stopped for a chat. She told him all about
her kitten at home. and tallssd of other in-
teresting topics. They shook hands at parts
mg.
”Oh. my goodness. Mr. Daclor!" abs
called. as he was moving off. “I've to!-
gotten Miss Hanaberry‘a letter. I stop in
at the postofhco for her, you'know. to ask
if there are any letters. only thsro never
are; but there was one today."
“I’ll take it." said Dsder. not sorry for
this pretext. ,
He was at a loss how to proceed. He
couldn't hurt the obstinate. proud creature
by so much as hinting that he know Mallet
would never coma back. He had decided
to entreat her to give up this elusive low;
and he understood Mildred well cough to
know that she would make it hard for blur.
He was notably less cheerful than usual
as he entered her cottage.
“Hero's a letter." he said casually.
When he saw her face. however. he was
no longer casual. She had grown very pale.
She looked at the latter with the oddlt
expression. ' ‘ '
“0h!" she said. with a gasp.
{‘What's the reactor?" he asked anxious:
ly. “Please ball mo. Mildred!"
She recovered hardslf. a“ .03 W
a constrained smile. ‘.
“It's from Wt] ," she said. “Emu this
please. while I read it.”
" LMALLM‘ hidanunhappy.‘furtfvo'
conscience trapped inside Ill. Thu
words of other hoopla. ovsn things that Its
road. would stir up the poor erasure and
send it rushing about in its cage. terribly -
uncomfortable
alarmed. It made Will so.
. that he would do anything fouuiat it. Silo-
.times ha fed it with Ill. sometimes lis lulu
sonsd with it. and sometimes he plunged
4 info rash action. ,
He had told his conscience that it was
ifor Mlldrod's oaks alone that ha loft her.
When he had "act on hlsfoot.” he would
. received an answer.
come back sad claim her. and she would
praise his nobility and self-sacrifice. In
the meantime he wouldn‘t be obliged to
work so very hard and be so vary'aarnoat—
two things which disagreed with him.
Unfortunately, however. he could not “got
on his fast."
“The only thing left.” be reflected, "is
to go back and try that florist business so-
rloualy. I'll. write to Mildred first. of
course. She'll understand. She's very
loyal. Moreover. she's not the sort of girl
most men take to. She's—well, she's too
has. ' Sho‘u help me to get the thing start-
ed. and then we’ll be marri ."
So he had written. andlvsry promptly ho
' 3a sat on the edge
of the bed in his furnished room and read
it again. while his conscience flow wildly,
about inside him.
but Will: .
You need not have doubted that I should
wait for you. You told me you would
come back, and I believed you, of course.
To me, loyalty is the most beautiful thing
in the world. I
I have been able to save a little mossy
in the last year. by giving music lessons.
and I have rented a dear little cottage
here and filled it with what was left of
mother's furniture. I am really doing
" well. so flint aria lfllle florist shOp isl't
enormously prohtabla at the start. we
shall be able to manage nicely.
So far the letter was delightful and cons'
fortlng; but it went on:
But. Will, you know how thirsty a
small town is for gossip. and it has really
been more unpleasant than I care to tell
you. We had better be married quietly
as soon as you come. I'll arrange every-
thing, if you will let ma know when to
expect you.
This terrified him. Of course, ho loved
Mildred. and sdmlred\her. ‘
“But I'm not worthy of her!" he cried.
“I never can be!" And he might truth-
fully have added: “I never want to he!"
Impossible to say what his conscience
would have driven him to if the landlady
had not come up just then and. spoken very
dlsagreeably about his rent; so he saw that
it was rlght for him to be a florist. He sent
a telegram to announce his arrival three
days later.
3. mam wept.
“It’s a tragedy." she said. ”A won-
derful girl like Mildred. and that wretched
Will Mallet!" v
“It's certainly a pity." said her husband:
“but I suppose she knows what she's
doing."
"Of course she knows. but she doesn't
care. She's always been like that. I rod
member that once. when _sho was a little
girl. shesaidsbowasgoingtomaksablrth-
day cake for her father. Well. almost as
soon asshobegsn. she hurthsrsolfwitha
hammer. trying to tuck walnuts. Her
mother tbld me about it. She said the child
was sick and white with but she would
have her poor llttls
and she would go on. .
”The cake turned out not It to eat and
the obstinate little thing was suderlng so
much thot she had to he put to bed and the
doctor sent for: but all she said was: ‘Any-
how. I made it. I did what I said I'd dol'
And that's lust the way she's boa'n'shout
' Will Mallet. She said she would marry him,
and she's going to. She'd wait—she'd wait
forever!" .
Mr. Tsrhune respected his wtfa‘s'distross.
and said nothing. He couldn’t foal quite
so strongly about weddings as she did.
although he was very fond of Mildred Bonn.
harry. and very sorry for her headstrong
foll'y.‘ is thought that on the whole the
world was a pleasant plus—ospoclally‘oa
such a matchless day ss'thls. the grass
climax of the summers ,
They wore speeding a smooth roads to
the village where lived. and when
.thswsddlngwastotahoplscothstmomlng.
Arriving at the church. Mrs. Tao
hunoaawthat‘ahohadtlmstscryslittlo
longer. andahowssshsuttohdn. who;~
showasshrtlsdbytho Mtofhsrfavorits
nephew, Robert Doctor. . -
.“lou hora!" also «claimed. because she
V or than over under the hot sun.
fingers tied up.
RAINS may be late.
seasons belated. even
the stars my swing in
their courses just a little
behind schedule. but a
wedding deferred is s ro-
mance wrecked. It just
isn’t done, that’s all!
There are so many things
that can happen. For in-
stance. another man may
step into the picture and
“Mlldred’o” stubbornness
may vanish. -
fancied that there were reasons why 5.
mild not enjoy Mlldrod's wedding.
“ch." he said adsbly. and sat down has
her. .
“is was mentioned before. he was good at
talking. and his aunt and uncle were pleas-
antly beguiled. until the chiming of the
clock in the balfry aroused Mix Terhune.
"Time they were here." he said. glans.
“5:3:‘wsnt on talking, but his aunt had
grown restless. The little girl in spectacles
had grown restless. too. and was wriggling.
"Fifteen minutes latsi" said Mrs: Ter-
hune. “It's very odd. Robert! You 4 bet-
ter see if the clergyman is waiting.
Dacier reported that the clergyman was
waiting in the veatry. and growing a little
impatient.
“It seems very strange!" said Mrs. Tera
hugeShall I go and see what's WWI?" “39‘
' . "It's only a stop."
Bags; please do!" said Mrs. Tcrhuno.
0: want Robert. He pushed open tho
little gate. and went up the garden path as
tta e, which seemed quiet4
the enchanted co I Be rang
bell.
theNo answer-not a sound inside.
He rang again. and then opened the door
era .
“63:11:“: into' the little passage and lia-
tcned. but heard not a sound.
“Miss Henabcrryl” he called.
rad!”
Mild door slammed open upstairs, and down
she came like a whirlwind, such a tragic
and heart-stirring figure! Ber dark hair
was wildly untidy, her eyes Were heavy
with tears. yet she had a look of such stern
and dentists pride on her face that a man
might well feel abaahod.
"Please!
“Go away!" she cried. “Why do you
come here? Go away!"
“No," said Dacler. “I'm not going
away. They're waiting for you in the
church. What do you vent no to W
them?"
“Nothing." she said.
“That’s not very polite."
‘ “Polite !" she cried. “Do ’0! 'nt ‘9
make one of your schoolboy 503" 35°“-
thia'f - Go away! Lwon't listen to 3°“ 1
can't bear to see you!
"You've got to face this," said Dacior
drmly. “There's no use dying n me
Perhaps I can help you."
"I don't want any help—from any one.‘\
"Where's Mallet?"
It wad a Blunt enough question. but the
shock of it steadied her. She turned away
her head for a minute, and than faced him
with something of her old composure.
“Tho—a boy came with a note." she
said overtly." "Mr. Mallet has been called
away on business. The wedding will have
to be postponed.”
Dacler came a little nearer. and looked
at her with eyes as steady as her own.
“Don't you think twice is too often?” he
asked.
Her pale face grew scarlet.
"What. do you mean? How can you
”MUD
“I mean just what I said. I think it’s
time the wedding came 0! now.” he an-
swered. “The clergymsn's there. and the
guests: and if you'll take me. here’s the
bridegroom."
She smiled acornfully.
“Darling girl l” he said. “Dear, darling
girl! Come and have your wedding! Hold
up your dear head again! We’ll say it was
a sort of joke, and you meant mo all the
time. After all. I’m almbst as good a fol—
low as Mallet, don't you think?"
,Ee said it in a boastful, conceited way
that should have been rebuked: but Mil-
dred did not rebuke him.
“Oh. you're a thousand times better!"
she cried, instead. “Better and doors:
than any one else in the world! Only—"
It has been mentioned before that Dacior
was 'good at talking. He needed all his
skill now. for he had only a few minutes
in which to overcome any number of ob-
. lections. to change her fears to smiles. and
to persuade her to make haste and got
ready. He succeeded.
clergyman was not surpnsod' . be-
_ cause the bridegroom was unknown to
him anyhow; but the little girl in spectacles.
and Mr. and Mrs. Terhuno!
Moreover. there were several things which
startled Mildred. When they had all got
back to the cottage. and the bride had gone
into the kitchen for that noble cake. and
Dacia: had naturally followed has. she
asked:
“Robert. why did you havs a wedding
ring in your pocket!"
“I have carried one there for some time.
in case of emergencies.“ ho answsaod
promptly.
"And why did you have a license Will
your. name in it?" -
"Foresight." he replied. "I got that
as soon as I saw you."
He had come around the table and put
his arm about her shoulders. and she looked
up" into his gay. audacious face.
"Robert." she said stornly. “whore k
Will Mallet?"
"I don't know." he answered. “and I
don't care: but I don't mind telling you
thot I found out-fromtho mooufscad little
girlhhsuho wasospoctod. and Inset him
at the railway station."
0mm" u "a." I I n
. i
V
i,
Norwalk Chronicler