The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-03-30
Miss Grannls'
Decision
BY A. NJ. DAVIES OGDEN
Copyright, 1906. by p. C. EASEMENT

the long lane of overarchng June
green, was musing somewhat bitterly
upon this fact. 1t was over q month
now since he had seen Helen Grannls.
q month which had done a great deal
toward quickening a spark hitherto not
entirely recognized into vivid fame.
He had tried to see her, but unsuccess-
fully, and now his thoughts were
brooding as so often before, over that
last unfortunate meeting. Was he to
blame or she? Yet how could the
fault be his?
Once again he went back mentally
to the beginning-tha day when he
had telegraphed to ask if she would
ride. They had often spoken of so do
ing, and this had been his first oppor-
tunity. The answer had been that she
would be at the club at o'clock. John
son, promptness itself, cantered over
from the stable at 4 precisely. There
he waited. He waited until half after
4; he waited until quarter of 5.
At last reluctantly he rode toward the
park, wondering what could have hap
pened. The first person he met, walk
ing her horse slowly down the main
drive in the direction of the gate, was
the girl herself, and with her, talking
eagerly, was Ransome Sinclair, the
man of al! others whom Johnson most
detested.
For moment Johnson had stared,
really incredulous, unable to trust his
eyes.
Then, with formal lifting of his hat,
he was past, the dark red mounting to
his cheek and rage in his soul. Had
she forgotten the engagement, or had
she deliberately thrown him over for
Slnclair-Sinclair with his millions,
who could give her everything?
In the sudden blackneSs revealed by
the flash of jealousy Johnson realized
for the first time how much this slen
der, dainty girl, with her pretty little
air of stateliness, meant to him.
He had hardly gone mile before the
impulse which had made him bow and
pass on looked the height of ridiculous
ness. OF course there was some mis-
take. Why had he not stopped and ask
ed? But, although he turned at once, it
was too late; the two had vanished.
He had telephoned that night. Miss
Grannis was out for dinner. He had
called the next afternoon. Miss Gran
mis- was not at home. He could not
write, for there was nothing to say.
One could not ask lady why she had
chosen to ride with another The week
after, when he tried calling once more,
the house was closed He found that
the family had departed for their coun-
try place.
Johnson was in despair, but it was
not entirely a bad thing for him; it
taught him a lot.
AS he turned in now at the Newlands
place and dropped OFF his horse some
one moving down by the tennis court
suddenly brought his heart into his
mouth. Could it be she? He knew that
Miss Grannis and Ida Newlands were
great friends. Was it possible she
might be stopping here for week end?
With tingling pulses he went forward.
1t vast was! And he might never
have known! Somehow he managed to
answer properly the greetings of Ida
and the men grouped about, then he
turned to Miss Grannis.
He was unreasonable enough to be
disappointed when the girl gave him
merely q conventional smile. He felt
that he was the one with the right to
be angry. Ida Newlands looked sharp
ly at them both. She knew Helen
Grannis well enough to divine that
something had occurred.
Now, as she saw Johnson, after a mo-
ment, turn aside, her nimble wit leaped
to sudden guess at the truth. And as
she caught Johnson's flush as Sin
clair came across the lawn her convic-
ton deepened. But what could be
done? In this last month Sinclair had
been pushing his advantage hard. She
knew that Helen was waverlng. Ida
did not fancy Sinclair; it was her
brother who had asked him today. And
she did like johnson. With a swift in
spiration she jumped to her feet.
"Let's have some tennis! she ex-
claimed. "Helen, will challenge you
and Mr.. Johnson to try to beat Mr..
Sinclair and myself. Here's your rack
ct" pretending not to see the girls re-
luctance 1t was the only way she
could think of to bring them together
Johnson could put up strong game.
He was tall, with long legs and arms
that seemed to cover every corner of
the court. And Helen had clean,
telling stroke. Sinclair, however, was
no mean adversary. They would have
to play up. But Johnson was not think |
ing Of tennis. This was his chance
He must make the most OF 1t before
she joined that chattering group. AS
he brought the balls to Miss Grannis |
for her service he looked down at her |
for q moment.
'Why did you not come to the club |
that dayT' he asked abruptly. 81
waited and waited"-
"Waitedw echoed the girl. why
Ready interrupted Sinclair, and |
Helen flashed a ball over the net |
Johnson, his heart beginning to beat |
fast, frightened the grip on his racket /!
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