Gloucester County Democrat., 1904-11-17

the seven he will know just where to
look for her.
| He turned sharply away, with chok-
| ing throat and hot. singing eyebal1s
You do care, Kenneth, persisted
his mother wistfully.
Yes, he answered shortly, 4 care.
| / care so much that j caiAlot tolerate
t the thought Of her as d prize in a game
of hide and seek
"Ihe package, Kenneth" Mrs. Car
ter suggested inauiringly
He opened it quickly, gazing bewil-
dered 1T the contents, small, plain
gold ring
What does it meanss he asked con-
fusedly
q think it means that you are not
the only one who cares She evidently
| doesn't intend you to fail for lack of a
ring that fits Now will you go?''
"Yes, he said quickly, but III seek
her at her home, as an honorable man
should, not elsewhere
He returned in an hour, with disap-
pointment unmistakable in his face.
His mother did not need to question
him
II saw three or four men who, am
positive, were looking for her. he
said in Il slow, hard tone-'sVan Horn,
with his best pair, and little Sawtelle
in his automobile There's dinner
dance at Trumbulrs tonight, and
young Cooper ana Dixie Salter came
dashing out Of there just as | was
passing
"Are YOU sure she isn't at homer
"It was her own maid who came to
the door | feel sure that she would
not deceive me. You know she is little
Oscar Larson's sister"
THE boy who was injured and for
whom you secured the damages?''
''Yes. The girl evidently knew al
about this affair and realized the use
lessness of my search, for she said in
very kind and gentle way, You'd
better go home, Mr.. Carter
A faint flicker Of a smile, instantly
repressed. appeared at the corners of
Mrs. Carriers mouth.
~But the ring, Kenneth" she per-
sisted.
Probably sent to raise my hopes
and so make my failure all the more
crushing he answered bitterly.
I'VE will not speak of it again, dear
little mother, and l will say good
night now. want to be alone
Before you go, dear please bring
me my embroidery from the library
table"
He pushed aside the portieres and
entered the library. A slender, girl
ish figure stood before the CRATE, and
the dancing freight fell in soft CLEANS
upon her white dress and lent a bright
glow to Il face pale with emotion
Kenneth gave sharp crp and sprang
forward
"Is it you, Paula? Is it really you?
Am ] the one to find your
did you want to find me, Kenneth?"
she asked, half crying
"Did I want to? oh, Paula"
He held her to his breast in silence
and then bent and kissed the sweet
| mouth upraised to his. fs
| 1t was after the announcement Of
the engagement that Paula exclaimed
one day, looking into Kenneth's
gloomy face: What is the matter, Sir
Doleful? Such an expression as that
on the face of newly engaged man
is hardly fattering to his fiancee.'
He answered slowly, THAT night at
the ball you said there were several
whom you would be willing to marry. :
81 did, Paula returned promptly,
''but you may recall that said also
If all the circumstances Were fayora-
ble'''
Il can't see that that changes it
any he argued obtusely.
"You don't deserve to be told, but
because you are so stupid I'll have to
explain that the absolutely essential
| circumstance was that | should love
the man. And lest you continue max
| ing yourself miserable for nothing I'll
confess right now that you were the
| only one to whom / sent a note. Even
then l was so dreadfully afraid you
wouldn't come that | followed the
note, and your mother aided and
| abetted' in n most shocking manner