Smyrna times., 1904-10-26
After Seven
Years *
By Belle Maniates
Copuright, 1901, bB Belle MdmGtes
By Belle Maniates
copmight. 1901, bB Belle Mdnidtes

In thc palm room of the Waldorf
liable partially obscured by a pot
NJ n,lms sat John Browning. He was
man well past his first youth, of
sorm erect and face brOnzed by the
.up that burned upon tropical battle
sajs From his rather remote cor.
nor he scanned with interest every one
|who entered.
after seven years." he thought, 81
sbouldnt expect to meet any acquaint-
onces. but-ah, what luck!''
party of four were seating them
selveS at a table near-a man and wOm-
lam of middle age, a beautiful young
woman with eyes that matched the
friolpts she carried and a lemon faced
youth receding of chin and swinish of
eye
Browning was about to start for
ward when a voice at the nearest table
smoke in subdued, but carrying tones:
"Lyle Vaughn'S fiance! The engage
ment is conceded, though not am
Il
nounced
John Browning resumed his seat.
/ 1T would have been far better" he
/ thought. If l had not called a halt
on her affection for the trapper. Any
thing but this specimen! He is a link
below the missing one"
one of the voices at the next table
again had hearing:
81 admit he is not bowling success
as to looks, but he has millions and
antecedents.'
John Browning scowled and con-
tinued his cOgitatiOns.
d "Seven years since Lyle had her first
Elittle ripple of romance which l ended.
ETu again be a disturber of dreams
or nightmares. have a spur to her
memory in my pocket now. Odd il
II should have reached me today"
II He drew from his pocket a news
paper clipping which he gave to wait
er with instructions as to delivery.
The violet eyed woman looked up il
smazement at the waiter and then hel
gaze again fell on the paper. 1t was
A four line local giving the numbe
81 Of licenses issued to date to deer hunt
ers in northern Michigan.
When she had read it she looked
VI around. Then she rose, and he hur
1 ried to her with outstretched hand.
~ "Iyle! Little Lyle Vaughn he salt
81 in a soft. caressipg voice that his com
a mand would have failed to recognize.
81 John Browning! Now do l believ
n In the resurrection
e. Her father and mother claimed hi
attention, and after his presentation
II Herbert Stuyvesant he seated himsel
sH beside Lyle.
Tie waiter again approached an
n handed Stuyvesant a telegram.
- NV mother has another of her a
tacks," explained Stuyvesant to Mr.
81 Vaughn, and. with a lingering glanC
y at Lvle's impassive features. he took
a reluctant departure.
Mrs. Vaughn at once gave Brownir
an elaborate and profuse description
.~ Stuyvesant's fortune and prospects.
"The lady doth protest too much
:, II thought John Browning, noting Wi
n amusement and satisfaction the In
mite boredom in Lyle's face, an e
III preston dimly reflected in her father
! II quiet, even features.
n You must go home with US, John
insisted Mr.. Vaughn as they we
-~N leaving. Il don't care how late 1t
"A want to hear about those seven yea
and the wars"
80 do l." chimed in Lyle.
.. & When they reached the house Nj
Vaughn pleaded a headache. The OF
nE ers sat by the open fire in the libral
un Soon the soft, blue veil of good ciga
- invoked a wOndrOus tale of adventU
y from John Browning. Back in I
5 shadows Lyle listened and follow
over battlefelds and African farms.
81 Il feel like Desdemona tOnigh
I'll laughed Lyle. following him into
hall. You've been very good to pa
OaE tonight. but | want a visit with y
y Come down tomorrow morning at
,,. Mamma will be shopping then"
!. "a "And Mr.. Herbert Stuyvesant wo
be here?" he asked.
"No. Why should heT'
'o She was a little discounted by
e9. es steady gaze.
~ 81 overheard some people in the pa
I'd, room say he was your fiance."
,@ HE isn't" she denied; 'not-yet!
believe he'd like to be, and mamma
IAgs awake nights fearing he won't
i,s Papa is trying to be recOnciled."
"And you?"
"And l was fast falling in par
state-until-tonight when
when
o. Il read that clipping"
She was not looking at him as
spoke and so did not see the dark Il
that came to his bronZed face.
Tomorrow at H." he said tersel!
~ who sent you the clipping"
"Plympton. He still hunts in NJ
igan every November"
How it carried me backr she S
sch Ell. Those lovely days in the open
gs 1t was very late when John Bro
~ Ing reached his hotel, but he did
? go to bed until he had lighted a C