The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1906-08-22

dead set on going there Immediately
This morning on deck just before we
sailed into the harbor"- But una, -
who was from Chicago and full of
western enterprise, finished the SEN
tence for herself.
II came on him Unexpectedly, and
what dye think he was doing? Lean
ing over the rail and looking at a pic
ture in his watch. 'Ah-ha, Mr.. Har-
veyy cried. You're caught at last!
VIII you let me see her pictureY In
few moments I'll show you the
statue of Liberty instead said he,
closing his watch softly and unstrap-
ping his field glasses. And, would you
believe 1t, the winning sweetness Of his
smile took all the sting out Of his re-
fusal"
''Why don't you strike for him,
Maude, and cut the Louisville girl
outT' came a laughing poser. "Or
wasn't he looking for a rich wife?"
Don't know, I'm sure" was the re-
Spouse. "But anyhow he's not rich.
Got the Information from his chum
coming over-the one who's going to
take us to the Union League reception
tomorrow. He owns some sort Of a
plantation in Kentucky, however, and
people there call him lie grand seigneur
cause he's considered so exclusive. It
appears Mr.. Harvey in his arlstocratic
poverty had horror of the neuveaux
riches" She shifted daintily and gig
gled.
The lights went down, the orchestra
stopped playing, and the curtain went
up on the third act.
Presently, having had one glass Of
whisky and soda too much, Smart
came back. He looked at Alberta
closely with a look before which she
suddenly shrank. She'd seen it focused
ere this on many things-his automo-
bile, his diamonds, his horses - but
never wholly on herself. That glance
Of possession shot through her nerves
with a sickening humiliation.
you'll loosen the stone in your ring
If you keep turning it round like that"
said Smart in blurred whisper. AN
that sort Of diamond amt stumbled
against every day, let me tell you"
At the close of the third act, al
though there was still the fourth to be
played, Alberta turned to her compan-
ion.
wen go now" she said simply
But he helped her on with her wrap
he wondered at the strange, soft illu-
minatiOn of her face. 1t was an illu-
mination he had never seen before, an
Illumination in which he knew instinc--
lively he had no part
When Smart, having got his hat and
coat, Joined her in the lobby and was
about to call for cab, one OF the girls
hands went out to his ready arm, but
the other deftly handed him his ring.
1--WE decided you'd better keep it,"
she said calmly, while, his fingers clos
ing tightly about the jewel, Smart
gazed with amazement at her strange
smile. "I'll explain to you as we walk
along. No; not cab. l prefer to
walk. 1t isn't far to auntie's." She
would not suffer his proximity, how
ever brief, in a carriage.
"Have you gone mad?" he demand
ed, putting the bauble securely in his
wallet. "Of all idiotic nonsense! And,
besides, you're not dressed for walk
ing"
ooh, what does a little thing like
that matter?" cried she, with almost a
child's fresh joy in her voice. Moth
ing matters now but the big things"
And, gathering up her skirts, she add
ed, half to herself, with a queer little
thrill: "Tm going home tomorrow! I'm
going home to Louisville tomorrow