Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1915 — THE ONE HE LOVED [ARTICLE]

THE ONE HE LOVED

By MARY H. WITHERELL.

(Copyright. 19141 by W. G. Chapman.) "Poor fellow!" murmured Rose Darrell, and her gentle face softened as a tall, handsome young man came down the pretty park path and sat down on the rustic bench beside her, engaging in casual, friendly conversation. The “poor fellow” was Ernest Harper. He looked grave and troubled, but It though the presence of the cheery little woman beside him made him momentarily forget his anxieties. “How sorry I feel for him!” breathed Rose as they parted. “How unworthy is she of the love of a man like him!” “If Rose only knew!”' soliloquized Ernest as he went on his way. “Ah, me! life is & sad enigma.” Here were the facta in the case: Ernest Harper was engaged to the sister of his dearest friend, Lora Moody. Apd Rose Darrell knew that Lora did not love him, was a flippant flirt and would bring him pain and disappoint ment in the years to come. How she had found this out was her own treasured secret. Ernest was surprised to be aroused from his morning slumber by the announcement of a servant that Mr. Moody, Lora’s father, was in the parlor below and “would he please dress and come down at once?” When Ernest joined his early visitor he found Mr. Moody pacing the room up and down in a state of great agitation. “Ernest,” he spoke in an unsteady tone, “I’ve got some bad news for you.” “Ned —” began Ernest. “No, Lora.” “She is ill?” “Worse!” groaned the unhappy father. “Ernest, boy, be brave! We deplore it all, and you have been the man all through, but drive her from your thoughts. She is unworthy of you.” “You mean —?” “She eloped last night with Lieutenant Trescombe.” It was a -severe shock to the astounded, fiance, hut less from personal grief than pity for the chum and his family, upon whom this hard blow had been brought. J.n a measure he was relieved. “If Lora loved him,” he said, quietly, “she will be happy with him.” “But you—you? We feel so for you! ” “Don’t think of me, Mr. Moody,” returned Ernest. “I only wish them joy and contentment.” “You are a noble fellow!” declared Mr. Moody. “Free!” Ernest Harper whispered to himself as later that morning he once again strolled in the little park, thinking over the acute change in affairs that had come about- Was he thinking, tod, of Rose? If so, that accounted for a new brightness in his face as he made her out at a little^distance. She greeted him with a warm handclasp, her face showing deep womanly sympathy. “J am so sorry,” she said in a subdued tone. He sat down beside her with a deep sigh. It seemed as though a strange restfulness came over him. He knew w&at was io her mind—friendly pity, genuine interest. She was rather - surprised at the calm, grave manner in which he took his trouble. Rose drifted the conversation into general channels. She manifested an Interest in his work. She spoke of a book he had written and he was gratified to discern that she was familiar with all its details and especially appreciated the parts of it which he himself prized. At the end of a. week the Moody family heard from the truant daughter. She was married and was visiting with the family of her husband. He was an empty-headed fellow, but had wealth and lively social connections, and, while glad of bis escape from marrying a woman he did not love, Ernest really believed that Lora would be happy in her new environment Ernest decided to leave the village. He went to bid farewell to the girl he cherished as a true friend. They were seated in the garden when a little brother bf Rose came running up to her. “I found the locket, sister!” he cried, excitedly. “On the croquet lawn,” and he handed to Rose an article at which Ernest stared strangely. “Why!” he could not help exclaiming, “where did that come from?” Rose turned scarlet, she evaded his glance. She was terribly flustered. “I —that is, Lora —” “Cast it aside —yes. I know that,” said Ernest, “hut—” Rose suddenly recovered her composure. “Shall I tell you the truth?” she asked frankly. “Well, then, I felt very * sorry for your sake.” “And sister has worn It ever since till she lost it,” broke in the littlebrother, “and she cried when she did—" “S-sh!” faltered Rose, but the truth was out, and Ernest Harper read her tell-tale face aright iErnest covered the trembling hand of the young girl at his side with his own. He gazed earnestly into her eyes. “Rose,” he said, “could it be possible that yon also kept that rejected memento for my sake?” -f' Her dear, sweet face bent lower out of sight. She could noi reply. But her hand did not lasMutbe gentle caress of . his own and Ernest Harper knew thatt he bad found perfect bliss at last.