Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-09-24

bly, passed them. His order had been
given
She led the way to table at the
other side OF the room that she might
not be compelled to recognize him, but
the precautlon apparently was need
less. When the girls were leaving the
place, Vance and his guest were still
absorbed In each other. Vance was
drinking coffee, and the girl was con-
Stunning highly colored cordials. Nell
led the way from the place, thankful
that none of the other girls knew
Vance.
The luncheon had been an ordeal for
her. She wished that she had slipped
Off the ring when the first impulse
came to her to do so. Then she would
have been saved the humiliation Of ac-
cepting celebration lunch at which
she sat and planned the letter which
she should write to accompany the
ring. AS It was. the lunch had broken
her nerves completely, and. hurrying
home. she wrote the fateful letter, then
took 10 her bed. She was crying her
heart out in comfortable feminine fash
ion when her mother opened the door.
Vance is downstairs and wants to
see you" she said gently. II told him
that you were III, but he insisted on
seeing you Just a moment"
'Tll see him." said Nell, with sud-
den determination. "Tell him will be
right down"
She sprang from the bed and began
10 dress. While lying there she had
thought of many things to say that
were even more bitter than the things
she had said in the letter, and in her
present mood she wanted to hurt him
as much as he had hurt her. She
wanted 70 taunt him with his choice
and TO see him shrink from her de-
scriptioD of the girl as seen through a
woman's eyes. The anticipation gave
her strength, and with head proudly
erect and shoulders militantly braced
back she entered the parlor
Joslin came forward eagerly.
1T was good of you to see me-" he
,ried. II was afraid, from what your
mother said, that you were too Ill to
receive any one"
II had a headache" she explained
istlessly, keeping the table between
hem that he might not kiss her. Prob
IDLY he had kissed that other girl.
Its too bad about the poor head"
,ried Vance. II wanted you to come
MIL 80 AH<I
rrocadero and have Just the best we
an find, or We'll go to the Alhambra
( you prefer that The music Is bet
er there, but the cooking is not as
rood"
For moment Nell could only stare
lumbly. He wanted to take her to the
rrocadero, where he had taken that
for lunch. The thought was
impossible. Probably his conscience
mote him and he wanted to compro-
Mise with it.
II don't think that I care to go to
he Trocadero," she said, adding mean
ngly: 81 was there this afternoon for
unch. / met some Of the girls, and
hey insisted upon my going with
hem"
Then Wen go to the Alhambra," he
ffered. what time did you have
unch?"
About O'clock" answered Nell,
his face closely for signs of
confusion. Instead he merely gave a
whistle Of surprise.
II was there about them" he declar-
d In mild astonishment.
II know you were," admitted Nell.
Il saw you"
II don't blame you for not speak
n.y." he said. with short laugh "But
Why didn't you send the waiter for
ne? / would have come over to your
able"
ut seemed a pity to disturb you,"
'etorted Nell You two seemed so
much interested in each other that I
lid not like to interrupt. You told me
On the telephone that It was a bust
ness engagement"
But that was not the engagement
explained Vance. "You see, I was to
lunch with old Mr.. Bingham to talk
about that infringement case. I was
On the car on my way to get him, and
a blockade brought as to a halt. I got
Off to walk. as was late, and Bing-
hams Office was only a couple Of /
blocks away, and ] ran right straight |
Into this girl"
Tho didn't know me at first. but |