The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-01-04
the seven he will know Just where to

the seven he will know just where to
look for her"
He turnel sharply away. with chOk-
Ing throat and hot. stingin. I. ~r,nlls.
You do care. Kenneth" persisted
his mother Nistt.lly.
"Ics." lie IL We,ed shortly. Il care.
l care SO much that l cannot tolerate
the thought of her as Il prize in Il game
of hide ana seek"
1.-THE package. Kenneth" Mrs. Car
ter suggested i%nuuiringly.
He opened it quickly. gazing Devil.
dered ut the contents. a small. plain
gold ring.
what docs it mean" he asked con-
fusedly.
Il think it lean that you are not
the only one WHO cares. She evidently
doesn't intend YOU to fail for lack Of Il
ring that fits. Now will YOU go:"
YES" he said quickly. but I'll seek
her ut her home. as an honorable man
should, not elScWllerc."
He returned in an hour. with disap-
p%ointment unmistakable in his face.
His mother did not need to question
him.
Il saw three or or men who. l am
positive. Wor looking for her." he
said in Il SLOW. hard t0nc-'Nan Horn.
with his best pair. and little Sawtellc
in his automobile. There's a dinner
dance ut TrUmbuil's tonight. and
young Cooper and Dixie Salter came
dashin% out Of there just as l was
passing"
".Are You sure she isn't at homer
at was hcr own maid who came to
the door. l feel sure that she would
not deceive me. You know she is little
Oscar I.arson's sister"
1.-The boy who was injured and for
whom you secured the damages?"
Eyes. The girl evidently knew all
about this affair and realized the use
lessne>s of my search. for she said in
a very kind and gentle way. You'd
better so home. Mr.. Carter"
A faint flicker Of /: smile. instantly
represscd, appeared at the corners of
Mrs. Carriers mouth.
"Hut the ring. Kenneth" she per-
sisted.
"prohably sent to raise my hopes
and So make my failure all the more
crushing" he answered bitterly.
1--WE will not speak of it again, dear
little mother. and l will say good
night now. l want to be alone"
Before you go. dear. please bring
me my embroidery from the library
table"
He pushed aside the portiercs and
entered the library. \ slender. girl
fsh figure stood before the CRATE. and
the dancing freight fell in soft CLEANS
upon her white dress and lent Il bright
glow to Il face pale with emotion.
Kenneth gave Il sharp GRIP and srrang
forward.
, els it you. Paula? Is it really you?
Am l the one to find youY"
"Did YOU want to find me. Kenneth?"
she asked. half crying.
"Did l want to? Oh, Paula
He held her to his breast in silence
and then bent and kissed the sweet
mouth appraised to his.
1t was after the announcement of
the engagement that Paula exclaimed
one day. looking into Kenneth's
gloomy face: What is TIE matter, Sir
Doleful? Such an expression rs that
on the face of Il newly engaged man
is hardly tlattcring to his tinncre."
He answered slowly. "yhat night ut
the hail you said there were several
whom you would be WILLING to marry"
~ did" Paula returned promptly.
"but YOU may recall tina ! said also
If all the circumstances were favora-
ble.'"
Il can't see that that changes it
any" lie argued ohtusely.
"You don't deserve to be told. but
because you arc so stupid III 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 l sent Il note. Even
then l "A SO ~dreadfully afraid you
wouldn't come that | followed the
note, and your mother aided and
abcttca' in n most shocking