Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1907-08-09
THE PARTING
OF The WAYS
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles. }
BY JULIAL LEE LOGAN.


Jane sat very still Her elbows
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 a frown rested be-
tween her eyebrows-she had nt' 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 tragedy. Jane had
made a 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,
whatever it was, it could be managed.
| 1t 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 man Of for
tune, solid honesty, and frank, sturdy
kindness. He would be a 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 it was not for her
| she was not Of the elect. Whenever
| she 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 Ii
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 nc
boyishness.
| Jane" he said, rising and standing
near her, Tets go out somewhere
where there won't be walls around US
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, ct have something
to tell you, too; we'll make it fail
exchange; but I'm afraid it will have
to be here, for I 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 dificult-"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
as she rose, 1--WE don't know yet just
when it will be"
II wish you every happiness" he
said. His face had gone white.
II must CO." he said, "else I shall
be trespassing upon your engagement
Good-by, Jane"
"Good-by." she said family. like one
in 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 it 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 was at
the door and had called almost desper.
ately, Ralph"
Now she stood clasping and I'm.
l CldSplu6 ACl AdAOo Willie BIG u0dTO
his heavy footsteps coming back-to
her. AS he stood in the doorway, she
looked at him dazedly for a moment,
and then stepping to the table she
picked up two books.
81 just wanted to ask you to leave
these with Grace on your way down."
she said, Il intended taking them my.
self, but shall not have time"
Certainly" he said, receiving them
mechanically and turning away again.
It was all over now. She stood at
the window and watched him. He did
not go in Grace's direction. She
turned away and sank down, and q
crushing loneliness sat beside her far
into the darkness.
Endorsed by the County.