Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-04-26

Iml years, was seated upon the
OoN piazza of her pretty summer
cottage reading.
The afternoon was warm, and she
was attired in dainty white muslin
dress. She was a very pretty widow.
Her husband, Col. Weston, had been
dead two years, and she had just re-
turned from an extended trip abroad.
People remarked that she did not fret
much about her loss.
Why should she? Not likely the pref
ty schoolgirl Of Is married the million
aire Colonel for love.
The front door-bell rang, and she had
barely time to twist her hair up when
Paulette, the French housemaid, an
nounced Walter Courtenay.
She turned to greet him with eyes
sparkling and cheeks aglow
"Oh, Walterr she exclaimed, raptur-
ously. II am so glad to see you. Be
seated" He grasped both her hands
and pressed kiss upon her fair fore
head. "Walter!" she cried, ''you forget
am no longer a schoolgirl. You must
not do such thing again.
He was a tall, handsome fellow. He
and Mrs. Weston Constance Keith
were born and bred in the old town of
Lynne, and although he was the son of
an earl and she only wears daughter
they had always had very friendly
feeling toward each other. She often
recalled the many happy times they
had together, when he In boyish ad-
miration told her she was the most
beautiful girl under the sun and the
only girl he could make his wife. But
when he was sent to college, and old
Colonel Weston, who had always ad-
mired her, asked her to become his
wife, she forgot all about Walter and
accepted the Colonel. But Walter did
not appear to fret much, for it soon be-
came known that he was engaged to
Fiji Clark" star opera singer. So
there was still that friendly feeling be-
tween them.
Pardon me, Connie" he said, seating
himself in a coy rocker, but was so
delighted to see you l could not help
it. It's about a year since l last saw
you, think"
"a year and two months" corrected
Connie. do you think l have
changedW
You are prettier, If possible"
"Silly as ever; tell me about your
self and everyone. You are my first
visitor since 1. returned home. Are
you married to Fiji yet?'
mo; let us change the subject. Do
you think / look wellY
ITO tell the truth you don't look
we'll"
'Nor l don't feel well either. You
see, Connie, /" His voice quivered,
his face flushed.
She took both his hands in hers and
said gently: Come now, Walter, you
must tell me all. You know you can
trust your old schoolmate, your truest
friend"
"Oh, it's nothing. Con, only-well-
heart trouble"
YES" said Connie, smiling. II un-
derstand-a woman"
'Oh, hang it! If you must know, the
fact is I've been Tilted"
by FifiT
YES"
How did 1t happenY
"She found out l had little money
and threw me over for a millionaire
Chicago pork packer. My folks are de-
lighted, but l shall not survive it." he
said mournfully."
"You really loved herY'
II adore her."
!StlllT' said Constance.
Eyes, and always will. The light is
all gone out of my life now. shall
never be happy again."
rs there no one else you could ever
learn to lover" she asked, hopefully.
mo, there Is no one else"
She swallowed the lump that arose In
her throat, and said: 1T was real cruel
of Fiji"
"She's like all other women; it's mon
ey they are after" he said gloomily.
"Oh, indeedv' said Constance, with a
pout.
Forgive me, Connie; mean all ex-
cepting you"
II wish could comfort you, Walter.
But are you sure this love you speak of
is naught but temporary infatuation,
and when the girl who loves you for
your own true self comes along you'll
forget all about FifiT
II think not. Connie; but no such girl
will ever come along"
why. there are lots of girls. Wal.
ter"
Name some"
mo, sha'n't, but I have one In mind
who loves you for your own true SELF"
You're joking, Con-"
you know I never joke. Walter
shall tell you her name In month"
"a month"; cried Walter.
Yes, a month from to-day. shall
give you that time to think what girl