Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1906-03-02
5a 81
:: TESTING A LOVER =
BY WALTER J. MoWBRAY
81 n 8


the day when we are married"
The lawyer nodded. He had heard
a few Qnixotic things in his life, and
was beyond surprise. Moreover he
was beginning to see that the plan
might have its advantages, after all.
He stood up to take his leave.
II wish you all happiness" he said
quietly, the girls slim hand clasped
for moment in his own. And then he
| left her.
Dorothea went to the door, and
called her lover. He was conyersing
with old Margaret Swan in an ad-
| Joining room. But he came at her
summons and declined to discuss
| the plan to which she had given so
much earnest and anxious considera-
| ton.
1t was fortnight later, and Lucian
| Orme sat alone in his private office
There was a tap at the door, and
| clerk entered.
"NIr. Ashley Greet to see you, sir"
he said.
The lawyer nodded.
"Show him in," he said, and the
clerk Withdrew.
Then he leaned back in his reyolv-
ing chair, and queer little inscrutabe
smile played for an instant upon his
| clear cut face. Then the door opened
again, and Ashley Greet was formal
| ly announced. He took the chair which
was proffered him, and ccme to the
point at once.
Il called in reference to that little
matter of Miss Sprays deed of gift to
her nurse" he said airily. 81 may as
well intimate from the outset that the
plan in question was carried out with
my full and complete approval. 1t
was the very best thing my affianced
wife could have done TO have estab-
fish my true position
Lucian bowed stiff1y.
"And your wishes?' he asked curt
ly.
A faint tinge of color came into
Ashley's face.
| "Arenotto
Are MT too easily expressed" he
| replied. "But | am DESTROYS of know
ing whether or not Miss Spray actu-
ally carried out her intention. She
has never referred to the matter since
the day when she gave you her in
structions. You, with your expert
ence of the world, Mr. ORR must be
aware that-er-ladies often revoke q
decision within an hour of its forma-
| ton. And, now that this matter has
| gone thus far, am determined to see
it through. My honor demands it.
And, if you have not yet drawn up a
deed of gift in favor of Margaret Swan
| must put my aversion to such top
les in the background, and insist OH
| its immediate fulfllment."
The lawyer opened a drawer, and
drew forth large legal document.
CHANGING at it for moment. he handed
it to his visitor The latter took it,
and deyoured its contents eagerly.
Then he handed it back and rose to
go.
Thanks" he said, with a gulr. 81
am delighted to see that this matter
has been legally carried OFT. Good
day. Mr.. Orme"
He walked briskly to the door. Luz
clan Orme watched him. His step
| was jaunty, his head erect There
was no Disgusting the fact that he
really was delighted" Yet the smile
on the lawyers face. when the door
closed. boded no good for the man
whose motives were SO disinterested
Five minutes later, Lucian Crme
carefully put the legal looking docu-
ment within the empty crate, and
held lighted match to its lower edges.
The flame spread rapidly, till but a few
blackened ashes remained
What foolr' he soliIoquized grim
~. He never even saw that deed
lacked q SCALP
He walked back to his writing table
and sat down. An hour passed, aud
he was once more immersed in work
when hurried knock sounded on his
door. He seemed to recognize it. and
rose hastily.
"At lastp' he muttered. "WelI, it
was bound to come. Poor little girl.
| wish l could spare her"
He opened the door. A white face
looked at him piteously from without.
and two trembling hands were held
out to him. He took them. and drew
her into the room. Then he led her
gently to a chair, and she sank into
it with little stified sob.
"Oh, you can't think what has hap.
penedp she cried piteously 1T is so
so dreadful never--never thorght
II of him!
Lucian Orme drew his chair lit
tie nearer to her own.
"Dorothea,' he said gently, 1--WE have
been old friends for ever so long. AL
! that concerns your welfare is of grave
Importance to me. Let us forget for
la little while that / am your lawyer,
and you my client Let us Remember
} only that we are friends. Can you
do this"
She looked at him tearfully. He had
. never seemed so strong before. She
wondered how it came about that she
J had never before realized what a no
bic man he was. 1t seemed so natu
: raj to run to him whenSver che was
In trouble. She had done so from q
child, and was only now beginning tt
realize what all this meant to her.
II can't tell your she sohbed 'It's
$3.50 humiIiating to have ito tell it t.
) any one-even to your
II He flushed.