The Meeker herald., 1907-06-15
'"l e 81 4se WAYS
tCopyrisht. BY Joseph B. Bowies.)
y JULIA LGE looAM.

| SOoS00 VI tuo tdUlo AuO u6I 1anQU
were clasped. Her eyes were riveted
upon the little bronze dragon that
sprawled upon her paper.weight.
The door opened, and maid an
aounced, "Mr. Danheld"
Show him into the library, Mar"
said Jane. without turning her head.
A suggestion of frown rested be-
tween her eyebrows-she had not I'm.
lshed thinking 1t 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 DO
delicately organized that an unre-
sponsive atmosphere would make OF
her heart history tragedy. Jane had
made discovery. 1t was this: an
engagement with Ralph was enough
to make Grace's eyes bright for a
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.
1t seemed to her that he had come to
the parting of the ways-that ever 80
little weight would tip the balance to-
ward Grace or toward herself.
Now MI 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
fication to her parents. AS to love
well, she had lived a 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
sic contemplated that world of two
outside of which all others were
strangers" and tried to people 1t with
herself and any definite man, some
thing in her revolted, cried out, and
ran away. So marriage, for her, was
going to be quite pleasant and con-
venient-but not heaven. There were
to be no love demands or restrictions.
Just now, she must not keep Ralph
waiting longer.
He thought, as she entered the H.
brary in her direct, smooth way. that
something was In her face he had
never seen there before. She. as II
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, lets go out somewhere
where there won't be walls around us.
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
70 tell you, too; we'll make 1t fair
exchange; but I'm afraid 1t 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.
ooh, yes, mine first, of course:"
this was Unexpectedly difficult-"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 q
secret. Ralph"
Eyes, I understand" came In tense
tones. II shall not speak Of It,"
because you see." she said rapidly
a. she rose, I'VE don't know yet Just
when 1t will be-"
II wish you every happiness" ne
said. His face had gone white.
II must Co." he said. else shall
be trespassing upon your engagement
Good-by, Jane"
"Good-by." she said family. like one
IL a dream.
Neither of them had mentioned the
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 IL was not true
what she had told him. She must hear
what he had wanted to say-she must!
All. all!
Before she was aware, she waH at
the door and had called almost desper-
ately, Ralph"
Now she stood clasping and un-
clasping her hands while she heard