Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-09-13

asked in tone that might D either
old self now, you know" And he
| looked down into her lovely, cliangeful
face with u curiously eager expression
in his dusky eyes.
YES, you are - well enough - 10
CO." Mildred stammered. hardly con-
| scious OF what she was saying in her
| agitation. ''Did you come 10 - say
good-by. Mr. Vernon"
1T you wish it, Mildred" he said
gravely. taking one of her pretty little
hands in his, Il suppose ! ought to
go at once, but | don't feel in any
haste to leave this dear, charming little
Eden unless you choose TO send me
! from it.
He spoke those last words very slow
ly, very impressively, gazing straight
| into her face with mlsterful look in
| his dark eyes that seemed determined
| TO read her very soul. She sprang up,
her sweet face flushing, then growing
very pale as she lifted her deep gray
eyes TREMENDOUSLY to his.
Il i send you away?" she painted,
her voice quivering with almost child
like pathos. "Mr. Vernon, you are
knocking mer'
Never that, sweet Mildred" he eX-
claimed, slipping one arm around her
slender waist and drawing her down
again on the bench beside him. Il
have learned n lesson of love while ly-
ing in that little, whte-draped room up
stairs, and it was you who taught it
me. Mildred will go away at once
and forever, If you will it so; but
would leave my heart behind me. For
you have won it, dear-you, my poor,
sweet, little country maid, have stolen
the heart which no proud city belle
could ever boast of conquering.n
SO Mildred knew that happiness had
come to her in her secluded country
home, and, sitting there among the
fragrant rose bushes, they both blessed
the fate which bad hurled Ford Vernon,
weak and helpless, almost at the very
gate of her little home.
What can it be that keeps Ford lin
gering 50 long away from all his usual
! places of fashionable resort? He has
recovered his health and strength,
know. for he was not very badly in
jured in that dreadful accident. There
must be some powerful fascination To
chain him TO that out-of-the-world spot,
wherever it is. Some pretty country
tlirt, perhaps. All, I'll find out!
I'll find out, and if it is so, it will be
the worse for the girl who has come
between me and the prize | have de-
termined to win"
The scene was q luxurious private
parlor in a fashionable Summer hotel
and the geOrgeoUsly beautiful woman
who paced SO impatiently up and down
its magnificent length was Valencia
Peyton, n society belle who could count
as mauy conqucstS almost, in her three
seasons 'out' as Mildred could count
roses on her favorite bush.
But the one heart that she had stalled
all upon winning she had not conquered,
md her beautiful fee was dark with
anger and disappointment as she re-
solved in her mind some scheme by
which she might bring him again with
in the radius of her influence.
Thus it happened that Mildred Hope,
wandering along her favorite walks in
the rambling, extensive grounds Of her
home, came face TO face. one summer
evening, with the handsomest, most
elegant woman that she had ever seen
outside of fashion books.
You are Miss Mildred Hope?n the
lady inquired, bonding searching,
jealous glance upon the girls fair face
that seemed to scorch it.
Mildred bowed.
"And-pardon me-you are engaged
$50 have heard) to Mr.. Vernon-Mr.
Ford Vernon, who was injured in a
railway collision few weeks since Is
he here-anywhere about?" she added,
casting a nervous glance around her.
Il am engaged to him." Mildred an
swered, wonderingly, but with quiet
dignity, 'and he is spending the sum-
mer in this village. But he is not here
just now, having been called to the
city this afternoon by telegram which
announced the serious illness of his
mother Did you wish to see him?n
81 wished TO see YOU" replied the
strange beauty. laying her delicate
gloved hand confidingly on Mildreds
arm; though ii he were here also, |
should be better pleased. | came to
tell you of another betrothal which he
is evidently DESTROYS of forgetting for
time at least. | stand TO him in the
olihC iOAdLAOI ~ NOhlSClls MISS IlODc.
save that mine is the prior claim.
have only just learned how false he is,
and came straight here to confront him
with his treachery. and to warn you
not to trust him. Yet, if you love him
too we'll"
"Can you swear to the truth OF what
| you are telling meP" exclaimed Mildred,
her face deadly pale and stony, her
voice sounding like the ring of clear,
cold steel. 'If you can, do not fear
that 1 shall care to hold him TO his
vows. | would refuse TO see him ever
again"
lit is true; can swear TO il before
heaven" interrupted the lady, eagerly.
"Msss Hope, Ford Vernon is my be-
! trothed husband -"
Indeed! May l ask since when?"
dropped in a cool. ringing. masculine
voice behind them. II was not aware
until this moment, Miss Peyton, that i
had so great an honor thrust upon me,
fondly believed myself the betrothed
! husband of the one / loye-the one