Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-05-09

nank you very uucn, MI Otei-
ling" she said icily, "but l must de-
cline to take advantage of your kind
ness"
She fed with hot cheeks, but at
heart she was not 80 angry as she
tried to make hcraelf believe. She
knew intuitiveyl that the offer had
not been prompted so much by de-
sire to win favor as by real solicitude
for her welfare.
Further proofs of the big man
thoughtfulness we're forthcoming.
That came evening. on returning to
her boarding place, she was met by a
smiling landlady.
"See what's come for you, Miss
Vandevere |" The woman trium-
phantly held up basket of delicious
fruit.
who sent it2'' Betty asked,
searching for card.
None was to be found, and Mrs.
Fryitt could only tell Ter that the
basket had been LETT by messenger
boy. Not one of her fair weather
friends knew her present address.
Naturally she thought of Mr.. Hen
derson. For come time there had
been a growing tenderness in his man
ner toward her. When the anony-
nous gifts continued to appear daily
she took occasion to demonstrate with
him.
"Hothouse grapes are expensive
luxuries, she said. "Don't send
any more. You can't afford to-.
miss Vandevere, allow me to COR
rect wrong conclusion. l have not
presumed to send out grapes or any
| thing else. "
"Who did,"
'1f l may hazard guess-the
Bear -
Betty was so angry that she marched
forthwith into the next room, where
her employer was busy at his desk.
"Mr. Sterling, she cried, "its an
impertinence for you to make me pres
ents The fact that I work for you is
no excuse"
He looked Disconnected.
II hoped-you wouldn't know-the
trifes came from me.
"Why did you do it p she demand
ed hotly.
You're not used to making your
own waY-of course you miss things.
And, then, l knew your father, and l
wanted to help you for his sake.
She stared half incredulously.
"You knew paps2 When2 Where2'
"In San Francisco-last winter.
We met in 4 business way and got to
be friendly. He liked to talk about
you, and once he showed me your pic.
ture. So you seemed like an old friend
from the first.
Betty's eyes had been opened, but
the look of annoyance did not leave
her face.
II can supply my own wants Please
do not send anything more, she said,
and, with her head held high, went
back to her post.
Henderson glanced up inquiringly,
his face revealing half dozen i'm
pulses in as many seconds. Suddenly
he rose, took step nearer and began
speaking rapidly in husky whisper.
"Miss Vandevers, listen I'm going
to tell you eecret. l. have fallen
heir to fortune. / take the midnight
train for Canada to claim the legacy.
No one is to know of this until after
I'm gone-not even Sterling. Will
you come. too-auay from this hateful
life? You know love you. Decide
at once There's no time for dallying.
Say you'll come !"
The startled girl trembled in the
hot breath of his passion. Every vest
| ige of color left her face.
at is-so-sudden," she faltered.
81 must think it over Give me time.
"I'll call at your boarding house at
10 o'clock. Be on the watch. And
remember how much there is at stake.
| But know I can trust you.
Betty's voice seemed to have drop
ped down into her throat. There was
no response. A silence fell in which
she could hear the muflsd beating OF
her own heart.
That night Henderson was the first
to leave. Sterling was in the room,
and he could only give Bettys glance
of mute appeal az he went out.
She crouched over her desk with
blurred eyes. For time there was
| Al ---.&lo ~ Aha 10 nor