Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1906-06-19

wreck. and young and pliable and
tractable, would marry her to-day and
defy the world"
lie heard her pitiful story-the old
story u pretty aud yoluptuous young
Italian girl. a debOnair man OF the
World-and a child without name.
Who the handsome stranger WIS
VINO flashed across her orbit for a brief
moment. and then passed on. she tad
no sort OF conception. except that hn
was gentleman. and that his dali
nance by the wayslde with her was A
distinct concession on his part. ana a
cause Tor pride on hers.
Here was the proper combination.
Inc girl gave promise OF all her moth
ers Latin beauty-and II was fair to
assume she inherited some OF the good
blood OF the father.
A bargain was quickly struck, and
Tor comparatively small sum-but
one which exceeded the mothers Wild
est dream Of ayarice-little Anita be-
came the ward Of Beattie. Al once
ne removed her from the asylum ana
placed her In most competent hands.
The hnest schools. the most exclusive
surroundings. the most expensive
ciothes-money without stint. music.
art travel. literature. bright compan-
ions all were hers.
And ever was instilled into her ear
that she was growing up TO be the
bride Of the great and rich Mr.. VIII
liam Beatiie. lie made no mistake.
He saw her but seldom. and always
NJ his best lie layished nice things
upon her. lie surrounded her with
clever people. who sung his praises
and illed her with wonder that 20 rare
web Of fate should have ben spun
by the gods for any girl.
Finally after school days were over
and the trip abroad had been made.
she was brought 10 him like a ripe
peach Tor the eating. And never mai
he seen ~ tempting a sight. His cup
OF happiness was overfowing
lie had been very careful that Anita
had met no other men. That had been
the one relentless and uncOmpromlsing
RUE Of her educational days. Now
he proposed % clinch matters before
any untoward incident could occur.
Tie mad MS little talk with her. and she
acquiesced 20 his programme with a
slight blush on her perfect olive cheek.
but With no strong tumult in her
breast She had known an about IL
Tor years. She was not az an opposed
10 the programme. In fact. she liked
u Immensely. But there was no pas
sion IN the cquation-on her part
FIRST and foremost there was 10
be great betrothal reception. AZ
which Anita was 10 be presented 10
society as the future Mrs. William
Beaiue. The wedding was 10 follow
almost Immediately. Beattie proposed
20 take no chances.
But fate has strange and unaccouat.
able freaks. There drifted into that
betrothal reception one Richard Lom-
bard. a young mining engineer. only
two years out Of college. and Those
TWO years spent In hard work in Mex
leo. a great. towering. splendid fell
low was Lombard. with the birth and
breeding OF gentleman. and a mag
lenc presence-pOssesse Of that some.
things which attracts women every
where. His two years Of outdoor life
had bronzed his skin and given him
hat touch OF magnificent masculinty
which nothing but the kand-to-haId
conflict with nature can give.
The moment his blue eyes met the
black orbs II Anita both knew that
was happening within them.
There was opportunity for but few
words. but the eyes spoke the only
language worth listening 70. and when
ate In the evening Lombard came and
'nered his arm Tor a breath OF fresh
lir on the veranda. she took Il as 4
natter Of course. her heart humping
10 hard as 20 make her afraid IL
would be heard.
What happened on the veranda. or
N the moOn-lit lawn. nobody know7 |
luly this Is known: On the following
morning William. Beaitie found a note
10 his breakfast table II read:
Mr.. Beattie. thank you for all |
our kindness and your devotion. but |
have a life 20 live as well as you. |
When YOU receive this I will be the |
wife OF Richard Lombard and 50o |
niles away. I would rather be mis- |
VIE Tor one day and live m tent /
'lfh him. than to he mistress OF your /
mansion and your millions for q hun /
red years Girls may Doe won. but /
Ut bought Forgiye and forget me. /
.u'ta."