WHICH?
By Joseph Hall
They were two women, one young, radiant, the other gently, beautifully old.
“But, Auntie, it’s such fun.”
The older rose.
“Wait.”
In a moment she had returned. Two faded yellow letters lay upon the young girl’s lap.
“Read them.”
Wonderingly the girl obeyed. The first read:
“Dearest:
“I leave you to John. It is plain you care for him. I love you. Just now it seems that life without you is impossible. But I can no longer doubt. If you cared, there would be no doubt. John is my friend. I would rather see you his than any others, since you cannot be mine. God bless you.
“Will.”
The other:
“Beloved:
“I am leaving you to the better man. For me there can never be another love. But it is best—it is the right thing—and I am, yes, I am glad that it is Will you love instead of me. You cannot be anything but happy with him. With me—but that is a dream I must learn to forget.
“As ever and ever,
“John.”