The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-05-27

encyclopedia. the physical geography
and magazine articles she soon AZ
quired more knowledge 81 the country
.han her erstwhile boarding school
teacher would have deemed possible.
for Retta's strong point was not learn.
ing. She was Just sweet little girl.
womanly and tender, with a careless
shrinking from responsibility, eneen-
dered by her entire freedom from such.
But now her heart was aroused. ana
she was aghast with horror at the idea
OF All, her own All, going down Pan.
anna way TO endure al sorts OF tor
ments and dangers and finally die or
the dreadful feyers, He should mott
BE should not! She would prevent il
somehow, and It must be done at once.
for he would be making arrangements
to leave his business, even this minute,
perhapsl
She rushed away to consult her
mother. but that good lady, being deep
~ engrossed In some charitable func-
ton, was out indefinitely, and Retta,
feeling no time could be wasted, deter
mined to act for herself. Perhaps II
she had had the advice OF an older
head she would have been less, pre-
cipitate and irrevocable in her actions.
"rm moving clean swath, burn
ing my ships behind me-" she COM
meAted confusedly, in the middle OF a
tempestuously busy afternoon in which
she did some very unconventional
things. o.
II suppose It does look curious to
them; suppose the bride to be's moth.
er is usually to the fore and the b. to b.
hangs back in blushing confusion, but
l can't wait on mamma when Alf's
getting ready this very minute for
Panama way. I've got to fix it so
there's no getting out OF 1t and leave
me rag of-and don't care much IL
they do stare-and guess I'm sure Of
dear old Alf."
Yet she was a bit anxious as she
waited in convenient spot for way
laying him as he left his Office. If-if
ALI Were bent aud determined on Pan.
anna way, she would be in a pretty pre-
dlcamentl She whipped around the
corner, apparently obllvious of him I'M
til she almost collided with him. Then
her heart sank at his grave and formal
apology. BE had been more deeply
hurt and offended than he had shown
the evening before when she had in
sisted on a further postponement, but
she mnst-she caught her breath as he
said coldly:
Il am glad to meet you. It viii
save my coming up this evening to tell
you
And I'm glad to meet you,s she
broke in, laughing neryously. II want
to tell you that I've-I've changed my
mind, ALI"
Changed your mlnd?" he repeated
blankIy
Yes. about-about''- lit was harder
than she had imagined with his cold.
unresponsive eyes upon her; what II
he should-she quaked, but plunged on
-"about our wedding-and we won't
postpone it, after ALL
BE flushed angrily as he replied,
you were not asked to change your
mind-nor the arrangements you made
last evening"
"You mem that you don't want to
that you won't now" she cried, with
wide eyes.
Il mean that you are not to be com.
PEELED. Influenced. When did you see
Charlie?7 And between his teeth he
muttered savagely, Just wait till
see himr'
u haven't seen Charlie to speak to
since yesterday mornlng! she declared
and burst into u bewildering torrent
of explanation and tears. "oh, IL you
won't, ALT; II you've changed your
mind and don't want me now, when
I've found out how much / want YOU
II you won't-Ill have to run away!
For, oh, Alf, / went alone and bought
the dress-and took 1t to madame'S and
was measured-and I've ordered all the
invitations-and engaged the caterer
land the flowers. ll-iust us we plan
ned-because i wanted to show you
how much care Sobs that she
struggled to repress choked her
And You haven't seen Charlie-no
one has influenced you?" he demanded
incredulously.
mo one has said word TO me about
1t! IL found out how much really
cared. and couldn't get ready fast
enough. though mamma was away,
and had to do 1t alone" she painted
impetuously.
He melted entirely. You dear little
whirlwind! You have smashed the
proprietiesr' lie breathed softly and
proudly. Il visible glanced about
furtively; no. it was too public! ANY
way we can have an hour at the store
selecting our furniture"
/ And. tncliing her hand under his
arm. they wandered away down the
primrose path" the journey down
Panama way. entirely md forever for.