The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-06-01
The PARTING
OF the WAYS

BY JULIA LEE LOGAN.


rested on the table and her hands.
were clasped. Her eyes were riveted
upon the little bronze dragon that
sprawled upon her paper-weight.
The door opened. and a maid an.
nounced, "Mr. Danfield."
"Show him into the library, Mary"
said Jane, without turning her head
A suggestion of frown rested be-
tween her eycbrows-she had not fin--
ished thinking it out.
There were four people to be con-
sidered-Grace, Ralph, Mr.. Grayson,.
and herself.
Grace came first. The girl was an,
intense nature with high ideals, and so.
delicately organized that an unre--
sponsive atmosphere would make Of
her heart history a tragedy. Jane had
made discovery. 1t was this: an
engagement with Ralph was enough
to make Grace's eyes bright for q
whole day ahead.
Ralph had tremendous amount OF
artistic ability running riot. Grace's-
clear depth and intensity would give.
the directing force he needed. He was
the man for Grace. too, brimful Of ten
derness and chivalry.
Ralph's own attitude in the matter
was, of course, to be considered; but,
whatever it was, 1t could be managed.
It seemed to her that he had come to
the parting of the ways--that ever so
little weight would tip the balance to-
ward Grace or toward herself.
Now Mr.. Grayson was a man OF for
tune. solid honesty, and frank. sturdy
kindness. He would be very COM
Portable person to have about. She
would write an acceptance of his pro-
posal of marriage just as soon as
Ralph left. 1t would be great graft
fcation to her parents. AS to love
well, she had lived sufficient number
of years, had had enough devotion
from attractive men, to have come to-
the decision that 1t was not for her
she was not of the elect. Whenever
she contemplated that world of two
outside of which all others we're
strangers" and tried to people it with
herself and any definite man, some
thing in her reyolted, cried out, and
ran away. So marriage, for her, was
going to be quite pleasant and con-
venient-but not heaven. There we're
to be no love demands or restrictions.
Just now, she must not keep Ralph
waiting longer.
He thought, as she entered the IL
5rary in her direct, smooth way, that.
something was in her face he had
never seen there before. She, as IL
seeing him for the first time, was not
ing the broadness of his shoulders, the
firm set of his head, the mobility of
his mouth and the fine freedom of his.
eyes.
Yes, he was for Grace-Grace would
give him what his nature would crave
and deserve. She, herself, never
could.
While she was thinking these things.
Ralph was silent, and when he spoke
again it was with quietness and no,
boyishness.
"Jane," he said, rising and standing
near her, Tets go out somewhere
where there won't be walls around u.s..
I have something to tell you"
THAT sounds interesting" she re-
piled lightly, and looked out at the
late afternoon sunshine touching with
fire the windows of the houses oppo--
site.
Finally she said, Il have something.
to tell you. too; we'll make it a fair
exchange; but I'm afraid IT will have.
to be here, for have an engagement.
in an hour"
I'm waiting" he said, after time,.
In voice that made her wish to see
his face. But she did not look.
"Oh, yes. mine first, OF course"
this was Unexpectedly difiicult-"Well,
Ralph, it's simply the same old story
made over new; I'm to be married to.
Mr.. Grayson."
Her eyes were on the freight, but.
when he did not speak, she went ON
with nervous gaiety, You know it's a
secret, Ralph"
Yes, l understand" came In tense
tones. Il shall not speak Of it."
Because You see," she said rapidly
as she rose, I'VE don't know yet just.
when 1t will be-"
Il wish You every happiness" he
said. His face had gone white.
Il must CO." he said, "else shall
be trespassing upon your engagement.
Good-by, Jane"
"Good-by." she said family, like one
| In dream.
thing he had had to tell her, and now
he had left her. Oh, she could not let
him go like that. She must call him,
back and tell him IT was not true
what she had told him. She must hear
| what he had wanted to saY-She must