The Washington herald., 1907-02-26

AS Ordway lodged through the stream
of traffic at the crossing, merry greetings
saIuted him from a crowded auto car
that just missed him as it chugged by
He bowed gravely to the smiling occu-
pants, observing that she was Of the
number, and then he passed on TO the
business appointment that had prevented
his being in the party. 1t was an ap-
poSntment that he might have easily
avaded. but that he felt the need Of time
to consider an astonishing revelation
which had been made TO him that morn
ing.
Because / think it has gone far enough
or too far. for that matter-and TO save
you the pain OF a refusal. / tell YOU this
open secret the informer had declared
magnauimously-fo il is an open secret
In our crowd. where an have conspired to
keep il from you, that Miss Annabelle
Mills. before she met you, wagered a box
Of gloves with the girls that she would
bring you to the point Of proposal-you,
the hitherto inyulnerable-in three
months"
Ordway had taken the blow without
hinching. He had thanked the consid-
crate revealer Of secrets without COM
ment. to the mystiheation Of that indi-
vidual VINO felt cheated of his anticipated
sensation. 1t was instructive self-de-
tense in Ordway. who knew Cathcart's
interest in one Of the fair wagerers. and
suspected the magnanimity was but an
effort to help her 20 win. But he could
not doubt the truth of the communication
in the fact OF the evidence given.
His reflections were exceedingly bitter,
as he plunged along in an absorption that
drove all thoughts Of business from his
mind. He had been an easy victim, ne
had not resisted. but had succumbed al
most at once to the wiles Of the beauty.
From the moment Of meeting she had
stood 70 him for all that is lovely. charm
ing, and true in woman; and he had early
acknowledged 10 himself the desire to
win her if possible, and the determination
TO endeavor TO do so. And he had soon
became aware Of the fact, incredible as it
had seemed 10 him, that she was not
wholly averse TO the winning. He had.
ut last, felt sure of that beyond perad-
venture, and his heart had thrilled with
the inspiring certainty of success; a sue
J cess that he regarded with reverent graft
tude and VOWS Of greater worthiness.
The sly raillery from their common asso-
ciates. upon mis- evident and entire sub
jugauon be had taken as a matter OF
course. to be borne with the equanlmity
/ OF the victor; never dreaming they were
I inc
I victim, nor suspecung that her adorable
yielding was insincere.
+ He had come TO love her with all his
power 10 love woman. Losing her he
would so through life alone, and the
wound of her falsity would never heal
+ He had given his all for the furtherauce
OF vulgar wager. had yielded the soul
lof his manhood a puppet in a game. In
1.-THE just anger that presently surged over
him, for the moment soaring his pain, he
! felt that she was little better than muir
Ideress. She had known from the first-he
| had not tried to conceal his love-she has
/ deliberately lured him on to the wrecking
/ of all that was best in him-she was un-
worthy Of the slightest respect. He won
ldered that he could have 50 loved one SO
utterly false! But some inner conscious
mess cried out at this harsh judgment of
/ her As lac thought over all that their in
innate association had shown him of her
character, 1t seemed impossible that she
could be the frivolous, Cold-hearted CO.
Quette which the situation declared her "a
be-and yet-and yet-with weary sigh
/ he abandoned the effort to understand.
But the hurt remained and deepened as
he recalled his appointment with her for
! that evening, 20 appointment which meant
that the hour had come for the asking and
answering of the question more important
/ to him than life itself. And by the look
/ in her sweet eyes, when she granted hin
permission to come, he had felt assured
that she understood and did not repel him
{ Did it mean 10 her but the crowning OF
! her mean victory? Well, she should have
the poor qualification Of winning the
Isenseless wager! II mattered little to hin
nothing mattered to him nowl He tried
lnumbly, to outline a future that would
take him to distant lands and new asso-
!ciations, where he would strive to forget
/ and also strive to regain his faith in
humanity Some time he might, perhaps
/ feel scorn Of himself that he could moi
scorn her openly and fling her puerile du-
Iplicity in her face.
/ As he neared her house he saw with sur.
prise that it was lighted up. and as he en-
tered the hall he heard familiar voices anC
laughter She was in haste then TO faun
her victory, and had assembled her con.
federates in readiness He set his teett
and resisted the impulse 10 retreat, Il
leave her vainly waiting the butt of hel
triumphant allies The humiliation
Through which it seemed she designed tC
drag him ought surely to be the dealt
blow to his love. For that, II for no othel
reason, he would endure it.
He waited in the library, formulating
his speech in the fewest words possible
and the least expression Of sentiment
that would give her the victory owe
/ which she had demeaned herself
/ II am taking you from your friends,
he began as she entered. I will keep you
but a moment I wish TO ask you
She came to him swiftly, with raise,
hand.
Hush" she entreated. Say nothing
I have a confession 10 make. and theI
/ want you TO go away quietly. and Ieav,
town tonight. that none of them MAJ
know that you have been here II is tn,
iast-but l have not--yOu cannot under
stand until I have she faltered. hel
shame-dyed face drooping-"Before 1 me
/ you 1.-The girls-I-I can scarcely voici
! The shaFueIaeu- Won had boar, vorro-oY,4,, 10,