Smyrna times., 1903-06-03

IN LOVE.

NJ at Che time was to bring her
uear friend, Margaret Woods, and Ce-
uric Davis together. She was quite
sure they were in every way suited to
each other.
On the other hand, DIR. Davis had
oeen IN love with Elizsbeth for a long
time, but she was so much absorbed in
her plan that she never suspected it.
Mr.. Davis had to resort to a little
intrigue in order to see Elizabeth
alone 1t was one of those chilly days
when 1t Is nice to shut out the outside
world and draw ones chair up to the
open fire.
Elizabeth sat by the fire looking
very dlsconsolate. Apparently things
were not going right. She was in
evening dress, and the rooms had
festive appearance 1t was the night
OF the party.
Elizabeth, said her mother, ''isn't
II time for Margaret? l supposed of
course she would come before tea,
and here it is nearly an honr after"
AN hour" exclaimed Elizabeth.
'Oh' l know she won't come now; it
makes me cross. I'll try not to get
up another party. Everything l have
undertaken lately has fallen through. )"
There's the bell"
The door was swung open and Miss
Bessom and Miss Day were announc-
ed. Elizabeth arose to receive her
guests.
"Oh! Elizabeth, - said Miss Bessom,
1--WE are sorry we cannot stay, but we
have decided to go to the dance at the
Newells; they would not take nc for
an answer. 1 hope you do not mind. 3"
"Oh no." said Elizabeth, why
should / if you prefer to go to the
dance? l wouldn't keep you for any
thing, and she turned away with an
impatient gesture.
1--WE saw Mr.. Douglas on the car,
said Helen Day, trying to make mat
ters smoother, ''and he said he was
going to the dance, so we knew your
party would be broken, and thought it
wouldn't make any difference"
"We must go if we would get there
in time! So good might; we are so
sorry" And they took their depar-
ture.
The bell rang once more, and Mr..
Davis was announced. Elizabeth also
thought, as he came slowly up the
room. that if she had been Margaret
she would have managed to come
somehow.
"GCod evening Miss Houston. Am
L the frst?" and he extended his hand,
clasping hers so closely that she hasti-
ly drew it away.
'No, you are not the first. 1 sup
pose you have come to tell me you eau
not stay"
Indeed have not, answered Mr..
Davis. "What could' possibly make
you think SOP"
"Oh. every one who was invited has
at the last minute sent regrets or come
to tell me they were going somewhere
else. Isn't it too bad?" And she
laughed hysterically. She was Sc
cretlY wondering what he would think
of her; perhaps already he would
think that she had planned this.
He, on his side, wondered why he
had thought Margaret Woods so nice.
Surely they were not to be compared.
Margaret was stately and almost prim
and he had admired her, but he knew
in his inmost heart that Margaret
could never fill it.
Elizabeth, with her sweet face and
charming manner, would be the one,
or not any, of that he had been con-
scious for many months. Cedric Davis
Strengthened himself as one sometimes
does when one makes resolution,
and to cover his embarrassment asked
her to sing.
She went to the piano and taking VI
some music asked him what he would
have.
Something soft and dreamy" he
replied.
She finally picked up little song
entitled "Constancy," and sang in &
clear, sweet voice.
Elizabeth, " he whispered, 81 have
a confession to make, L did not in
tend that you should have your whist
party tonight, so 1 planned the dance,
and nv brother, who knew my feel
ings toward you, helped me.
''It was the only way L could SCI
you alone-you have avoided me 81
lately, Elizabeth, dear, look up ant
tell me you forgive me. You did no
know Margaret had told me all sh
suspected. You thought you were 81
secret about it, but Margaret and
have only been friends, and as sucl
we will continue. AS for me, ther
has been but one image in my heart,
fOOIr hnr hand