Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-03-02
and brook no interference-not even
from his old chiIm Ted

Olu leu.
Women were cOquettes, heartless.
They sought a mans affection simply
to toy with. He hated the sight of
them. And yet, did he?
Every evening he drew from its
hiding place a little bundle 81 love
letters. Over and over again he read
them and from his pocket he drew
tiny Photograph and kissed it.
All. how he trea sured that precious
picture, The heart hovers round these
sacred relics Of the past. They may
be mere trities, but after all, is not the
world made up of trifies?
Again and again he racked his brain
in search Of some reason for Edith's
strange conduct. Why had she cast
him aside with no word Of explana-
ton?
Suddenly an inspiration seized him.
He would write a book and reveal
woman lin her true colors." He would
paint her leading on her lover to the
highest realms of joy and happiness
just for the pleasure Of dashing him
down again. The book would be the
sensation of the year.
He snatched up his pen while the
idea was hot. He was in the middle
of the first chapter when Ted bounced
in. Jack had forgotten to sport his
oak
''Hurrah, Jack" he shouted, I've
got two months vacation; am off to
Europe Saturday" Then noticing the
pale, excited face of his friend, he
said:
Let me prescribe for you, Jack
Put all those beastly papers out OF
sight, or, if you will, pack them up in
your bag and come with me. 1t will
make new man of YOU"
Thanks, old man-no. I've lust
begun my life work-my masterpiece.
This book will take the world by
storm
1t can be written as well, nay, bet
ter, under the shadow of the Alps thar
in the stuffy rooms"
The novelist thought of Berne. He
would be nearer Edith. But, no-he
dared not go. 1t would only be fan
ming the flame he was trying to kill.
Ted was in Switzerland. If only
Jack were there, too. Why shouldn't
he look up Miss Grctton? Why had
she thrown over Jack in that mysteri-
Gus way? Who knows? Perhaps he
might be Il peacenaker. He called on
Edith and her father. The old gen
tieman tried to sound him on the
split" but Ted knew nothing.
Ted and Edith We're sitting out one
evening watching the sunset. 1t was
Il glorious scene. BY coincidence their
thought wandered back to the Gretton
home and certain evening
Ted would have liked to have won
this girl for himself. She looked so
handsome-sO winsOme as she sat
there-though perhaps trife sad. He
was sorely tempted. She had of her
own accord given up Jack. Then he
thought of the lonely man who loved
her still, and he thrust aside the mad
wish.
why did you give up jack" he
suddenly blurted out. He felt he must
say something to break the spell or his
good intentions would melt like the
snow they saw before them.
Can you ask" she replied coldly.
You already know"
"I-I-knOw! and a wild wish was
father to the thought
1t was one Of those evenings that
invite condolences. The sun was 60
ing down and leaving just simmer
ing twilight.
Yes she said sadly; you We're
really the means Of bringing before me
the facts that made me wish to see Mr..
Rowlands no more"
He drew his chair closer to her.
DO, please. tell me all about it," he
said. His heart beat wildly. Could
it be possible she had broken with
Jack for his sake?
Then she described word for word
what she had overheard.
Nividly it all came back to him.
He was tempted for moment, but
for moment only.
''My dear Miss Gretton," he said,
''how glad l am l came on to Berne
We were discussing not you, but
snapshot photo Jack had stolen Of
you with his pocket camera. It's a
terrible thing. l don't think you would
recognize yourself. He accidentally
broke the negative soon after, and his
only print is a poor little pyro-stained
thing. He"
"What!' Edith jumped up, her face
all aglow. Il never knew he took pic
tureS!'
THAT was his first and, what's
more" said Ted, ''he carries that
wretched little photograph in pocket
near his heart
=
Two weeks later Edith came home.
In the Gazette she read the announce
ment that the celebrated novelist, Mr..
Rowlands, was engaged on new
hook