Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-08-22

debut. Some one mentions the fact that
she is Mrs. Copely niece.
"Oh. yes" murnlurs a young matron in
a nile green crepe. Blanche hemingway
met her informally the other day and SAYS
she's a charming girl"
"Look-that must be she now-the tall
girl in white. Yes, Mrs. Copely is intro
ducing her. Why, she's beautiful isn't
she:'
An elderly woman. with fine brown eyes
t,Arns and touches the arm of her son, who
stands near.
Hugh, can hat be the young artist
they're all talking about? What n beauty
she Is and what a sensation she Is Great
ing, She's Mrs. Copely's niece. 1 be-
lievc."
The son looks dutifully in the direction
indicated. He has brown eyes like his
mothers and they light with swift appre-
citation at sight of the young woman in
white. Then all suddenly his composure
forsakes him. He forgets his good breed
ing and stares.
"Jove." he muttcrs beneath his breath.
1T can't be. What a queenly creature
she has grown to be? Mrs. Copely's neice.
| Heavens, she never so much as limited
at the relationship that summer"
The wondering voice Of his mother re-
minds him. why, Hugh. you seem per-
turbed. What is it?"
.'Oh. nothing. Her face seems familiar
and 1 was trying to place her. that's all.
What do you say her name iS""
Il don't know yet. Perhaps your friend
Bowman can tell you. Here he is now"
The young man who has just come up is
dark and clean haven There is a fas-
c~iretion is hts grave eyes far more potent
than the aggressive brill!ancy of Hugh's.
See, here. Bowman, do you know the
name Of the young artist-the fair girl in
white?"
Miss Hunter, I believe.'
Thought | wasn't mistaken" Hugh
murmurs TO himself. as he moves away in
the d .rection of Mrs. Copely's neice.
Hugh has been Intending to say-weil.
several things. But something in the I'M
ruffled serenity of her manner as she
greets him Is disconcerting. He is con-
scious of pique and disappointment. The
appearance of Bowman. not long after,
only serves to accentuate his discontinue
for Madge turns 10 the newcomer with an
unmistakablc air of interest and Hugh.
for perhaps the first time in his life. feels
that he is playing second lead. The pro-
gram commences. There are various Sc
lections-vocal and instrument Then
Madge Hunter comes forward. There is
no installing the air of brcathless en-
p%ectlncy hat greets her appearance. \
few chords on the piano-a pause-and
then a high. clear. melodious note. MaGSe
IS wfistlinS. 1t seems as though some
masic-throated bird is pouring forth a
flood of melody. There is a pause as the
last lingering note dies away, then IA rap
tuious burst of applause. Madge is forced
TO respond again and yet again. After
the program is over. she is almost over
wheimed by the praises showcred upon
her. Hugh Lawrence tries to find first
place at her side. but discovers that Bow
man already claims that distinction. Mrs.
Copley looks OH with quiet %complacency.
and smiles as the numerous comments,
reach her ears. at is i~revitable.'' she
murmurs. "Madge will be a belle this
season."
And she was not mistaken.
Among the many callers at the Copely
residence during the following festive
months Hugh Lawrence proved to be one
of the most constant. Madge treated him
with a calm, sweet friendliness, all the
more tantalizing to Hugh because it
lacked hat homage to his destinations
which he was wont to claim az his due.
The season was almost over and Hugh
in a spirit of desperation, resolved to
speak to Madge. He was fortunate in
finding her alone one afternoon.
Why have you been so unkind to me
this winter, Madge?"
"Cnkind!" there was real establishment
in her clear. frank eyes.
Hugh lowered his tone to a note of ten
der intimacy.
Yes, unkind. You know 1T Is something
more than friendship that I crave. Have
you forgotten those happy weeks we spent
together? Madge, you-you did care,
then?"
That was all a mistake she said, still
with her calm, sweet smile. Let us not
speak of 1t again"
Oh. Madge! You can't be heartless. Is
this all you have to say to me?'
II cannot say more" she replied, for
there is some one else"
Forgive me-Madge-I understand"
1t was on the following day that he met
Bowman. The face of the latter was radi-
ant with q tender happiness.
Congratulate me-, Lawrence. old boy!"
Hugh's heart gave a wild throb of pain
and fear. He felt strangely weak. Miss
Hunter?' he asked instinctively.
Yes"