Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1905-03-31
The Reckless
Hour *
BY lola FORESTER


one. Some one stood beside II walt
ing.
She stood for a moment la the lobby
entrance and fastened the diamond
clasp ON the chiffon and lace stole
around her throat. The pin had been
safe enough. She had volunteered go
ing back 10 the boxes for II. aud had
found IL sticking In the velvet arm OF
Aunt victoria's chair. Just where she
had left H.
Did you think that was never
comingg" she asked as he reached
the carriage. The figure turned
/ quickly nj the sound Of her voice. and
she found herself looking into Thorn.
toms eyes. She caught her breath and
stopped abruptly. startled and hest
tating. afraid TO let him guess the great
food OF gladness that swept over her
at sight OF him. when one believes
a person TO he In Manchuria IL IL some
what bewiidering TO nee. that person
alone on Broadway az II .. m.
He did not speak. merely opened the
door for her.
There Is some mistake" she paused.
"Of course there Is a mistake. There
always il when come In for anything
good. The fact remains that the rest
have gone and that I was told 10 wait
for you"
who told you TO waltz"
lie took her by the elbow and helped
her lmperatively into the carriage.
Il was with Mrs Culverton. She was
In the third box. and was late. Then
Gully came along and took her home
himself believe your aunt told him
10 wait FOR you. but ne wanted 70 60
directly home. 30 took his place. You
don't believe me-"
"Oh. yes. I do. AZ least I believe
part Of H. You always twist the truth
and the fairy tale together 80 perfectly
one can only guess az which Is which
believe that Mr. Culverton was asked
TO wait FOR me"
Thornton ignored the discrimination.
He was gazing intently 40 the pale
young face II must be true all he had
heard az the club. She did not look
happy. II was Vic wllmington's affair.
the digging up OF Esteyan she always
had some two-for penny title tagging
after her IL was only three weeks or
now. The thought brought with IL
fash o. rccklessness They would have
her Tor e lifetime. Tonight for one
short bali hour she was his. He leaned
toward her suddenly
Gladys. are you sorry 10 see meT'
Don't" Her eyes met his In half de
FAINT entreaty. 1t isn't fair"
Fair 20 whom
To him"
Thornton's Jaws squared aggressive
IT,
lie hasn't anything % say about IL
yet You needn't be- frightened. The
wolf won't eat you. Won't they even
let you be glad or sorry?'
Don't. please please doa't'
Say you are glad 10 see me"
I'm not glad 10 see you. You went
away OF your own free will. wish
you had stayed"
Until IL was OverT
NJ. ANAFNfis SUI NFlnlANh NaeHiou.
ately Il never wanted 20 see you
again
He smiled Il was Gladys way 70
make one last final charge when she
knew she had lost the day
you never wanted 10 see me again" /
he repeated. because you are going 90 .
marry q man FOR whom You don't care /
snap or your finger. and YOU DID love .
me"
Il did not" She faced him with .
proud. hurt eyes aud flushed checks.
He laughed with rlo.ous sense OF .
happiness Ia her pain. n be stlll had .
the power 20 hurt her there was hope .
u was the reckless hour
You did. sweetheart. and you do
now, and you always will You know
you WILL Manchuria or the moon. Il /
won't make any difference. not II you
marry n hundred times. not n rs years
before we meet. | can always come
back Ike this and look IN your eyes
Ike this aud see love IN them Ike .
this"
fAh tAAfA hin nNHhAa AAaft NfuAAAlA j
nc first, then In open confession. a.
he said, and before he knew Il she .
had covered her face with her hands .
and was crying. lie felt suddenly .
helpless aud ashamed
Gladys. don't do that I'm a brute. /
dear. I'm sorry. won't say another /
word. I'm going back this week. Stop. .
dear. Gladys''-
lie deliberately drew her hands away .
from her face. IL was dear face. .
lie had carried It's memory with him .
around the world and u had brought /
him back 10 the starting point. lie had /
been poor-not decently. openly poor. /
but living on hope and blue sky aud /
terrapln. There was another Darby /
Thornton who bestowed spasmodically /
unexpected and Irregular checks on an /
undeserving grandson. also advice aud }
admonitions. The weight Of gratitude l
had become too trying. Darby had |
never been able 10 even up the balance |
between the acceptance ~ the checks |
and the following out Of the good adj. |
vice and the ndmOnitions
He had thought that Gladys had |