The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-04-11
CHAPTER IN.
DISAPPOINTMENT,

CHAPTER IX.
DISAPPOINTMENT.
1t was nearly half a mile from tn,
Salvation Army hall to the Vasplaines'
and Stuart never knew what he said t,
Una as they walked on. Rhena's lool
as the door had opened revealed par
of the truth to Stuart If Rhena haC
been in Una's place during that hall
mile. there would have been no Ques
ton Of his determination to decide his
destiny at once. AS it was Una was al
first very gay in her rallying questions
and remarks. and then as she neared
her home she grew quiet and finally
naughty and chilling in her whole at
ttude toward Stuart. She did mo-
know all, but she guessed the state Of
Stuarts mind toward Rhena, and she
was piqued, if indeed deeper feeling
did not enter into her thought, mt tho
sight of the Indifference of her old
playmate to the beauty and attractive
ness he had once seemed to enjoy Sho
bade him good night abruptly ana
went in ut once, leaving him standing
somewhat awkwardly by the door
waiting for Louise.
When Louise and Vasplaine finally
appeared, Stuart moved down the
steps, and without waiting for Vas,
plaine to say good night he said: Lou
Use, we had better be going right back
Good night, Vasplaine."
Good night. Good night, Louise"
cried the young man. and he went up
the steps at once and into the house.
For few minutes as the two walked
back neither said anything. Finally
Stuart asked abruptly:
"IIow long has Vasplalne been call
ing you IouiseT"
Ever since we were children" re-
piled Louise in mocking tone. But
she was very much excited and never
looked so pretty in all her life.
But not in that tone of voice." re-
piled Stuart. He looked at the face In
the fur trimmed hat.
Louise looked back at him with just
the faintest indication Of sneer on her
lips. Hal asked me to marry him."
she said at last.
"And what did you tell himT" asked
Stuart quietly.
IL told him would"
The two walked on in silence, broken
only by the crisp sound Of the dry
snow under their feet.
''Do you love him, Louise" Stuart
asked gently.
"Oh. like him we'll enough! He
is
"Stop, Louise! l can't bear to hear
you speak that way Of such a serious
matter. Do you know what sort Of a
man Vasplaine is?'
Louise was at anger heat In a mo.
ment. She wrenched her arm from
and spoke with n passion she
really felt. mo, no! Do you think
spy out his habits? He's as fast as
most Of the young men. l suppose.
What difference does 1t make? What
right have you to pass judgment on
him."
Stuart was staggered at first. Then
he recovered himself and replied:
Louise, love you. You are my sis.
ter. | speak as l do because of my
knowledge, and l say to you that il
you marry Hal Vasplaine you will be
4 miserable woman. Louise. listen TO
me-" Stuart went on, his love for his
sister for the moment causing him to
forget his own condition. This man
who has asked you to marry him is
oh, Louise, be will wreck your life,
He is"-
"You need not say any more" inter
rupted Louise coldly. 81 have promis.
I'd to marry MIN. like him. be-
lieve love him even, since your brutal
attack OH him behind his back. You
claim the privilege Of marrying be-
meath you. Let me do the same. If
that is what you call 1t"
Stuart reclcd almost as if he had
been struck. lie had been standing
facing Louise since she took her arm
from his. He passed his hand across
his eyes, and then in low tone he
said:
LET us go on. We shall never un-
lerstand each other"
Louise without word took his arm
lgain. and they went on In silence. BY
he time they reached the town square
most of the lights were out, except in
he houses where the sick and dying
ay. Everything was wrapped in the
luiet Of still winter night. The Sal
ration Army hall looked cold and
bleak, its unpainted siding black with
lge. There was light shining from
Rhena's room. Their way led right past
he house. Stuart trembled as he went
)y. He feared Louise might say some
hing.
She did not. however, and neither
spoke word until they reached home.
Aunt Royal was still up and waiting
or them. "You must have walked
asst" she said, looking keenly at them
10Th.
"We did" replied Stuart. ut is a