The Delawarean., 1900-09-22
The King OF Hearts.


We're evidently far away from her sur
roundings, as she failed to hear footsteps
approaching and was only recalled to
herself by the maid announcing "Captain
Stewart" A flush of burning color swept
over Elsie's face, and quick as thought
she snatched the heart shaped frame
from its place, and, holding it in her left
hand, advanced to meet Il tall, fair man,
whose pale face showed signs of recent
illness and who carried his right arm in a
sling.
'Why, Jackn' she said. 81 had no idea
you were in London. Did the doctors give
You permission to trayelT
Her pretty face was still flushed, and
after answering her questions as to his
health Jack Stewart felt difficulty in
returning to their old friendly footing:
there was a subtle difference in her man
ner to him that made him vaguely un-
easy
80 It was more by way of conversation
than desire for information that Jack
asked laughingy:
/" And who is The King of Hearts now?
Roberts, Kitchener or Buler? Then as
his glance fell on the vacant place on the
manielpiece he started and said more
seriously:
The King of Hearts not in his ac.
customed place. What is the meaning of
this, Else?"
Once more a blush swept from brow
to chin, and Elsie. averting her eyes. re-
mained silent. Then it was Jack caught
sight of the frame in her left hand.
why, you have it there!" he said in
astonishmcnt. MAY | not see yonr new
hero" Then. Elsie remaining silent. he
with his free hand gently took the frame
from her unresisting clasp and without
looking at it laid ii face downward on a
table near and, resuming his seat by her
side, looked at her with troubled eyes
But three short months had passed
since he had sat in that room and had
learned from her lips that, though she did
not love him. she loved no one else, and
he had started off to South Africa with
his regiment, buoyed up with hopes of
ultimately gaining her love. A month ago
he had been inyalidcd home, and as soon
as his doctors had pronounced it safe for
him to travel he had come straight to
Elsie, only to find she had a secret from
him that bade fair to lessen his hopes
From childhood Elsie had been a hero
worshiper Of the most ardent kind and
had a collection of her heroes photo
graphs that would fill a good sized album
On her fifteenth birthday Jack had Civ
en- her heart shaped photo frame, which
was destined to contain her hero of the
moment. who was laughingly dubbed by
Jack "The King of Hearts," Many and
various were the faces he had seen in
that frame, but now he feared that the
real king had come, who would not only
retain undisputed possession of the photo
fpnp1p bIIt tvnttl1 airn ra;,,t, ~, Ivl4;as.
heart.
With visible effort Jack Stewart rous.
ed himself from his painful thoughts and
turning to Elsie said
"As may not see your new hero, per-
haps you will tell me about him?'
Anything you ask me except his
name," she replied, meeting his gaze for
the first time.
'EIe is a soldier, of course?"
EYES," she answered quietly.
Good lookingY
Every good looking" she said earnest
ly, but with avcrted face.
Jack feeling his fears confirmed by her
tone, went on hurriedly:
We'll, we have got this far, at any
rate. He is physically perfect"
II did not say quite that" she said,
looking mischievously at him.
"No doubt you meant that What
about his character? Do you know him
very well?"
81 have known him a long WHILE" she
answered demurely.
"And l have not even heard of him."
he exclaimed in astonishmcnt
''But it is only lately that he-that r.
THAT you have started mutual ad-
miration society" he interrupted, rather
bitterly.
Not quite that, Jack" she rejoined,
giving him queer little smile. "But
what else would you like to know about
him."
Her former embarrassment had left
her, and she was quietly attentive to his
words.
els he renowned for his brains or for
bravery onlyy
Ellis intellectual faculties are quite
above the average" she returned, flash
ing a merry look at him.
He was puzzled by her manner and
continued, rather lamely:
'It is his bravery, then, that has gained
him your favor"
Gle is the truest, bravest and best
man in the worldr' she answered, with
earnest, shining eyes.
Elsie" 1t was almost cry. He rose
from his scat and turned away from her.
what is it. Jack?" she asked, and,
going over to him, she made him look at
her. Something in his face frightened
her, and she said again, "What is it?"
"Oh, nothing" he answered, "only
conclude this to be your way Of telling
me that all is over between us?"
THAT depends on you, jack" she said
softly.
Il wish it did" he answered sadly, but
incredulously.
But it does, Jack Look at that pho
tograph."
1t was almost command. So he,
with evident reluctance, took up the
frame and looked at the face within it.
"Elsie" And that one word contained
a mingling of relief, wonder and, above
all, joy.
For it was his own face that looked up
at him out of the heart shaped Frame
Penny Pictorial Magazine.
Taking the Rest Cure.
The rest cure is one of the most eifi-
cient and simple Of all prescribed for
nervous exhaustion. As given at the pri-
yate HOSPITALS and sanitariums il is ex-