The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-10-24
when she noticed it.


l ought to say all sorts of lovely things
to make you-happy. That is the
custom, is it not?"
ayes, only l want you to feel your
congratulations, Miriam. You will, l
think, when you come to know Robin
AS we'll as do"
"Tell me all about it-where you
met him, when you were engaged and
everythinq."
Elizabeth smiled happily.
81 met Rob two years ago in Swift
erland, when your mother and | were
coaching with the Hamiltons. l went
back to my studies in Paris. We cor
responded in friendly sort of way
until last spring. One afternoon when
| left Marchcsi's he was waiting for
me on the sidewalk. had fanced
him in America; could not believe
for a minute it was Robin. That eve
ming he asked me 20 marry him. We
agreed to keep it secret. He is asso-
ciated in business with an old uncle
who does not want him to marry, and
l." Elizabeth laughed bli,hely-
swell, had talked 80 idioticaly for
years about being welded to my art
that I-well. / dii not feel like an
nouncing our engagement Immediately.
/ did not tell even sister Anna"
when did Mr.. Hawl, y go TO Paris?"
asked Miriam slowly. f.r. ..g
Early in Apr,. sai.i f. .zab,,h.
1T was in March, wasn't it, that The
paper told of your inheri,ing Grand
mother Weir's fortune?"
"Shame ON you. vi .riam!' cried the
elder girl, angrily. She jumped from
the chair and drew herself to a full,
slender height.
"Elizaheth, tlo not he angry!" pleaded
her MICE. II want to he qni'e sure
the man who takes you away from our
home is worthy of you
"He is," said Elizabeth decidedly
My money docs not come into Rob's
consideration. He will bc a wealthy
man himself a, his unclc's death.
There is no need Tor him to marry
rich wife
"Forgive m.!" pleaded the girl by
her side. She laid Elzabeth's white
hand against her cheek and pattcd it
gently.
I'm forgiven, am | nol?'
You're an uncomtortably exacting
person" cried Elizabetln; "bcsidcs, it
is 50 unhattering, You know; don't
you imagine man could find some
thing about myself to love as we'll as
my money!
YES" replied Miriam decisively,
"there is SO much about you to love
that l should wish him to quite forget
the money
Rob does," said Elizabeth
II want TO tell you something of a
little romance Of my own"
-"Oh, I'm so glad! Is it Arthur
at is not Arthur" said the younger
girl resolutely. 81 do not think it
ever will be Arthur. 1t was-some-
body else-years ago"
"How many years aso?' Elizabeth
laughed gaily.
"Years and years and years ago, it
seems TO me-" Miriam spoke in low
voice. IL was very young then and
very credulous and very unwise. The
yea. mother took you to Europe, when
| was junior at college, ! was lciO,
you remember, at Uncle Sperry's. At
picnic one day met a young man
from Boston. He was handsome and
fascinating and-different from anyone
| had ever known. l thought it was
romantic to have q secret. We got
engaged. | had only seen him twice
since that time-when | have been at
Uncle Sperry's. We have CORE
spontled regularly. | had letter
from him two days ago. He said he
was coming to See my mother next
week. was 80 happy. Fhen-yes-
tertlay mother dictated a letter to me
for him At first thought it was
her droll way of doing things, giving
us lovely surprises IA she sometimes
does. Then
Ei:z ,h,.lh had risen to her feet again
She was looking down with frightened
wide-open eyes 1T her niece.
"Who was hep she asked in a
whisper.
Miriam put her hand to her throat
She drew out a slender chain and slip
ped from it gold lnket. She opened
it and handed it to Elizabeth.
"Robn!' cried the girl in a choking
voice. Then she sank back In the
chair and covered her face with her