The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-08-14

ment.
Have you seen Harry Lamar late
Tyr asked Gladys suddenly.
The question seemed to force itself
from her. II was relief to say some
thing which approached the subject.
Not since the other evening" replied
Grace, referring TO some small social
occasion. I've just written him a let
ter. He's going to give some sort of an
sffair in his rooms-like college
Spread with his two aunts as patron
esses Of the festivities. He asked me to
make some suggestions about the mu-
sic. 1 have been writing to him and to
my mother"
ITO your motherw echoed Gladys,
her face suddenly flushing.
"Fve made up my mind to tell you
about it," said Grace. Il am not good
at any sort of concealment. The plain
way is the best way for me always.
Gladys, we have never been friends in
any proper sense of the word You
have never given me any right to do
for you what a real friend would do
to advise you and try to help you"
do you think need any helpY'
my mother thinks you do said
Grace gently. ''She is a great mother,
and she knows everything. That's one
reason why l ought to help you now
because l have such a mother and you
haven't any. When my mother was
here with me week before last she
learned a great many things. I'm sure
I don't know how. She did not learn
them from me, and we did not discuss
them But she has written to. me about
| them. She thinks that you are not do
| ing right, Gladys. You are engaged to
| Frank Leland at home He is one Of
| the best fellows in the world, and he
| trusts you absolutely. That engage
| ment is not formally announced, but 1t
is well known at home. 1t is not known
here. You have asked me not to speak
| Of it,
81 don't want you to speak Of it."
said Gladys. Il shall probably break it.
and the less said the better. I have
1 changed, Grace; we have both changed.
Our horizon is broader than 1t used to
be. Frank Leland Is nothing but a lit
tie storekeeper In n country town, and
he will never be anything else. Do you
suppose will go back and bury myself
therer'
"You will probably break your en-
gagementr' rejoined Gladys. Mean
while you are encouraging the atten.
tions of two men, neither Of whom
knows anything about 1t, neither OF
whom is known TO Frank. neither Of
whom has any idea of the favor tina,
you are showing to the other. Gladys
this isn't honest. 1t isn't honest
enough for me nor for my mother"
Gladys suddenly bent forward in hel
chair.
what did you write to herY' she de
manded.
81 stood up for you." replied Gract
earnestly. Il said that you were over
excited by your life here; that you hat
lost your balance just little, but tina
you would not make any serious mis-
take. I went over the whole case.
had to because she had done II in he
letter. l said that you really love-
Frank Leland
81 don'tv' exclaimed Gladys, witt
seemingly unnecessary vehemence.
We'll, I said so anyhow" returnet
Grace, "and believed it. Issaid tina
you were fascinated by Mr.. Barnes. bu
that the man was a mere trifier ant
that you couldn't help seeing it. As +
Mr.. LAMAR don't want to hurt you
feelings, Gladys. but the truth must b
told. 1 told 1t to my mother. You ar
dazzied by Mr.. Lamar's money. Yo'
care nothing for him
Ibid you say that?"
Certainly" answered Grace. 1T
true. Mr.. Lamar Is one of the mos
honest hearted. sincere and admirabl
fellows who ever lived. but you prefe
more brilliant qualities. You have a
| eye for a handsomer man, Gladys, an
Harry Lamar. whatever else he ma
be, Is surely not handsome. Now,
don't mind red hair myself" she ado
ed, with a laugh. Il think his hair
quite magnificent. and he Is such BIZ
sturdy, manly man, But he doesn
appeal to you. Just to illustrate this
point and set my poor mothers heal
at rest told her what you said abot
Mr.. Lamar yesterday"
81 called him an Italian sunset!
gasped Gladys. with horror. Did 70
put that imp
"Yes, / put II all in. Mother won
tell. Oh. it's all joke. Gladys. You
90 back to Frank Leland and make hil
the best wife I'm the world
81 never willr' exclaimed Glady
You don't know me. I will not thro'
away my life In that little countr
town. You know nothing about ~
| sentiments toward Harry Lamar"
You haven't any. Gladys" respon'
ed Grace. You haven't a sentimel
OF any sort for Harry Lamar. That
exactly what l told my mother"
what did you tell him?"
about you? Nothing, of cours
And l never will. | told you that
wouldn't mention your engageme
and l won't. But Gladys, you'll ha'
to be a different girl il you care to pr
serve my respect or the outward sigl
Of my friendship. You are becomil
tangled In a mass of ccncealment al
deception that is not honest; that you
regret some day: that will hurt "
and everybody who loves you. 1t w
hurt me to the heart, Gladys, thoui
you may not believe it,
!, 81 don't believe it," said Gladys
- terly II think you'll be glad Of it.
:, think you'll do what you can to inju
me with Mr.. Lamar. But l warn y
that you'll fall
10 She walked toward the door. Ora
rose and followed her. Then she 81
Nh denly sat down in a chair by the cent
q table and began to cry.
"I knew that couldn't do this" 8