Milford chronicle., 1906-05-11
After Seven
Years
BY Belle r1aniates
Copyright, 1901, by Belle lIanidtcs

In the palm room of the Waldorf
at table partially obscured by q pot
of palms sat John Browning, He was
man well past his first youth, Of
form erect and face bronzed by the
sun that burned upon tropical battle
fields, From his rather remote cor
ner he scanned with interest every one
who entered
after seven years" he thought Il
shouldn't expect to meet any acquaint-
ances, but-ah, what luck!'
A party of four were seating them
selves at table near-a man and wOm-
an of middle age. a beautiful young
woman with eyes that matched the
violets she carried and a lemon faced
youth, receding Of chin and swinish OF
eye
Browning was about to start for
ward when voice at the nearest table
spoke in subdued. but carrying tones:
LYLE Vaughn's fancel The engage
ment is conceded, though not an
nounced.7
John Browning resumed his seat.
1T would have been far better" he
thought, IF 1 had not called a halt
on her affection for the trapper. Any
thing but this specimen! He is a link
below the missing one"
One of the voices at the next table
again had a hearing:
Il admit he is not a bowling success
as to looks. but he has millions and
antecedents,"
John Browning scowled and con-
tlnued his cogitations.
"Seven years since Lyle had her first
little ripple Of romance which l ended.
I'll again be a disturber of dreams
or Nightmares. l have a spur to her
memory in my pocket now. odd it
should have reached me today"
He drew from his pocket news
paper clipping which he gave to wait
er with instructions as to delivery.
The violet eyed woman looked up in
amazement at the waiter and then her
gaze again fell on the paper. 1t was
a four line local giving the number
Of licenses issued to date to deer hunt
ers in northern Michigan.
When she had read it she looked
around. Then she rose, and he hur-
ried to her with outstretched hand.
"Lyle! Little Lyle Vaughn!" he said
in n soft. caressing voice that his com
mand would have failed to recognize.
'John Browning Now do believe
in the resurrection"
Her father and mother claimed his
attention. and after his presentation to
Herbert Stuyyesant he seated himself
beside Lyle.
Tile waiter again approached and
handed Stuyvesant a telegram.
"AIy mother has another of her at
taclls," explained Stuyvesant to Mrs.
Vaughn. and. with n lingering glance
at Lyle's impassive features, he took
reluctant departure.
Mrs. Vaughn at once gave Browning
an elaborate and profuse description OF
Stuyvesants fortune and prospects.
"The lady doth protest too much,
thought john Browning, noting with
amusement and satisfaction the inf
mite boredom in Lyle's face, an ex-
preston dimly reflected in her fathers
quiet. even features.
'You must go home with us, John,
insisted Mr.. Vaughn as they were
leaving. 81 don't care how late it is.
l want to hear about those seven years
and the wars"
$50 do l." chimed in Lyle.
When they reached the house Mrs.
Vaughn pleaded a headache. The 9th
ers sat by the open fire in the library.
Soon the soft, blue veil of good cigars
invoked wondrous tale Of adventure
from John Browning. Back in the
shadows Lyle listened and followed
over battlefelds and African farms.
"I feel like Desdemona tonight"
laughed Lyle following him into the
hall. you've been very good to papa
tonight, but 1 want a visit with you.
Come down tomorrow morning at IL.
Mamma will be shopping then"
"And Mr.. Herbert Stuyvesant won't
be here?" be asked.
'No. Why should he?"
She was a little discounted by his
steady gaze.
II overheard some people in the palm
room say he was your hance."
"He isn't" she denied; 'not-yet!
believe he'd like to be, and mamma lies
awake nights fearing he won't be.
Papa is trying to be reconciled."
"And youY
"And 1 was fast falling in papas
te-untll-tonight when
"When"-
81 read that clipping"
She was not looking at him as she
spoke and so did not see the dark flush
that came to his brOnzed face.
Tomorrow at IL" he said tersely.
"Who sent you the clippingY
"Plvmpton. He still hunts in, Mich
igan every November"
"How it carried me back!' she sigh
ed. 'Those lovely days in the open!
It was very late when John Brown
ing reached his hotel but he did not