Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-09-21

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II sec you are ready for the party"
Some intensely exciting knowledge had
mastered stoicism. His eyes were dis
tended, his lips quivering. He leaned
with one hand on the kitchen table. In
the other he had clinched his uncle's
letter.
Constance stood near to him. That
he, of all the men she had ever met,
should yield to an overpowering emo
ton startled her greatly:
She caught his arm.
Mr.. Pyne,' she said softly, Gift is
any i'll tiddngs-you have received-we
are indeed sorry for you"
He pulled himself straight and gave
Constance such a glance that she has
tily withdrew her hand. 1t seemed to
her that he would clasp her in his arms
forthwith without spoken word. Her
action served to steady him, and he
laughed, so softly and pleasantly that
their fear was baniShed.
"Girls,' he said slowly, "I have been
parachuting through space for a min
ute or so. I'm all right. Everybody is
l come back forgetting my name and
the place where l last resided, remem-
ber that once loved you.''
He left them. He could not trust
himself to say more. s..s ....-...-
THAT letter was from his uncle,
suppose" said Enid, awe stricken.
1T must be something very dra-
matte which would make him act so
strangely. Why has he run away?
Was he afraid to trust us with his
news?"
Constance's voice which did not escape
her sisters sharp ears.
Connie" said Enid quietly, 'tas sure
as Jack loves me, that man is in love
with you." esf...,- ',,,,--.r
enid ->s,..e~ -
But the other girl laughed with a
touch of her saucy humor
why did he look at you in that way
just now? Didn't you think he was go
ing to embrace you ON the spot? Con-
fessr
"It was at you he was looking"
Not in. the way I mean. He gazed
at me as if were a spirit. But when
you touched him he awoke. He might
have been asleep and suddenly seen
you near him. 1 wonder he didn't say,
Kiss me, dearest, and then l will be
sure it is not dream.'" ..
Constance discovered that she must
defend herself.
"Mr. Pyne hardly conveyed such un-
MI fol n fo chnI
scious that a clean face betrays a flush
which smudges may hide. Have you
had letter from Jack that you can
interpret other peoples thoughts so
sweetly"
mo, dear. Jack has not written. I
have found out the cause. His mother
expresses the hope that he will be the
first to convey her good wishes. So I
think he meant to try to bring the
rope himself. Dad knew it and Mr..
Pyne. That is why they did not tell
US"
Constance gathered her letters into a
heap. The tiny pang of jealousy which
thrilled her had gone.
"Eighty-one hungry mouths expect to
be filled to repletion tonight" she said.
mo more gossip. What curious crea-
lures women are! Our own affairs are
sufficiently engrossing without endeav-
oring to pry into Mr.. Pyne's.''
Connie, don't press your lips so
tightly. You are just dying to know
what upset him. But, mark my words.
it had nothing to do with any other
woman"
Wherein Enid was completely mis-
taken; she would never commit a
greater error of judgment during the
rest OF her days.
When Pyne quilted the kitchen his
intent was to reach Brand without de-
lay. AS he passed Mrs. Vansittart's
bedroom he paused. Something had
delighted him immeasurably once the
first shock of the intelligence had
passed
He seemed to be irrasolute in his
mind, for he waited some time on the
landing before he knocked at the door
and asked If Mrs. vansittart would
come and speak to him.
Are you alone?' she demanded, re-
invisible. W
Yes he said.
Then she appeared, with that bor-
rowed shawl still closely wrapped over
bead and face.