Smyrna times., 1904-09-14

her r:e'g.srat!ons ely, for GOring had
tee A0ueI her that he thought the
couple would arrive at and he would
dlS'e up with them.
But he stepped in alone, unan-
nounced. for he had retained one of the
keys, and entered an atmosphere of |
delicious, savOry odOrs. A bright light |
radiated from the kitchen. and he stood |
silently in the doorway unseen by |
her, admiring her as she stopped to |
baste the golden brown fowl in the |
oven. Goring said nothing. There was |
a telegram in his pocket and lie hest |
tated to mar her pleasure all at once.
"Oh? She neryously dropped her
cooking spoon as re crossed the thresh-
old.
Its better than an Alma-Tadema,"
he commented, drinking in the home
like suggestions.
Il hope they'll be happy" She gave
| the fowl an undeserved prick with the
| fork, fluttering at something indefina-
BILE in his manner
"WOuld-yOu be-here?" he asked un-
|
\ piercing whistle at the dumb wait
er interfered with her reply. 1t was
the ice cream coming up with cOnvuls-
i've movements and noisy creaking,
sent by an Overpunctual cOHfectioner
MetaphOrically GOring received it as
cold douche to his hopes.
Isn't it almost time for them?" she
inquired anXiOusly, regretting the lost
opportunity which had rudely inter-
rupted the lowering sentiment. Il
thought you were going to meet
them?"
Slowly he took the telegram out of
his pocket, extending it toward Ler
"What is it? Nothing serious hope"
she cried in alarm
mo. Only Tom has been ordered
west by his firm to manage a branch
house. 1t means the making of his
future. They're not coming hero, after
ALL"
"Oh, and the turkey so beautiful
She sank weakly in a chair, tears fill
ing her eyes. I'm so sorry
Goring crossed the room and placed
his arm around her
Look here. you're not crying:" he
said, peering into her face There
there! 1t is shame, l admit. But
you and l can enjoy that dinner just
as much as they"
'Yes, but what about the fat? vii
they sell everything? And we fixed
it up so pretty
She was Sobbing quietly now
"Can't-can't-we pretend that its
our home for always?" he asked soft
ly, with a tremendous beating of hi.
heart. "And-and can't you-make i
come true, dear? l love yOu-yOl
must have known that; but l hearC
you cared for some one else. Tell me
May
; She tried to steal her handkerchie
from the bloused front of her shir
! waist, but something white and dimin
| utive and square tumbled out with ii
1t was her answer to that other man
, in which she had so nearly signe,
l away her happiness. She took Ou
the letter, forcing him to read it, an,
taking infinite relish in his visibl
symptoms of agitation. The futilit
, of his love stared at him uncOmprC
E misingly. 1t was as he had feared; h
was too late.
The cheer and cOziness of the to-
house taunted him. He turned ava
from it and away from the woma
he loved.
"Well?' said Miss Carlton sharply
T compelling his attention. Her lipi
were quivering, her eyes mutinous q
: his easy defeat.
l you've ruined my life-for the Sc,
l. ond time," he said, unsmiling.
IS She grasped the letter from hi
$ hand and tore it into innumerable tin
n pieces which scattered over the foo
like snow.
[ That's my answer" and her voiC
e | trembled haDDilV