The Democratic advocate., 1908-02-21
VOL. 43.--NO. 10.

'It shan't come through me, then T.
said Kitty, between her teeth; and lifting
the work of her laborious hours she tossed
it into the fire. The leaves glowed in the
fame; the picture of the Count curled with
the heat, and his face seemed to take on a
sinister, taunting leer. The next minute
the whole was a mass of gray ashes. Her
ambition had vanished into smoke-had
been waited up the chimney She had
success and lost it. She was down and
out
When Agnes came home she found Kit
ty in her room, sleeping the deep sleep OF
exhaustion She shook her gently.
"Kitty, she whispered. "Kit, dearest
Kitty opened her eyes. Shelooked very
wan and tired.
''I hated to rouse you, dear, said Agnes,
bending over her; ''but Bruce Rayburn is
here"
"Herer r cried Kitty. "Oh, Agnes, 1
can see him r.
"Why, yes you can, dear. You must.
You're SO heavy with sleep you don't
know what you're saying. Here's your
tea gown--the fluffy, rosebud one-allready
to slip into. Let your hair alone; its pret-
tier that way"
''Hes heard about the Count, thought
Kitty, "and wants to see what can be
done about hushing it up
But there was no anxiety in Bruce Ray
burn face; only great delight as his
eyes rested on Kitty delight which
passed swiftly into CONSERVATION.
"What have you been doing to your
self?'' he demanded. ''You are as pale
as ghost p
cam I?' said Kitty, unsteadily.
"I suppose I've been working rather hard,
that ALL
Rayburn pushed forward chair.
"Won't you sit down? p he begged, and
then added impetuously ;-"I' We so much
to tell you It'sabout Amy Van Martyr.
She's in love with chap who has ranch
out West-Ned Reynolds, bully fellow,
but rather short on the money question.
And Amys people are-well, pretty am
bilious socially, and they wouldn't hear
of it. I've been to see Amy good deal
all fall, because am Ned's best friend,
and l want to see them both happy.
Then Ned was suddenly taken i'll, and Amy
was nearly frantic, and so | went out there
to be with him, while Amy stayed at this
end of the line, trotting about with Mama
Martyr and the Count Bordeaux-did you
speak, Miss Carton p
"No, said Kitty, in queer little
voice.
"Well, heaven knows how things might
have ended" Rayburn went on cheerfully,
''ifit hadn't been for some kindly busy
body, who has just told Mrs Martyr that
the Count was married-that, and lot Of
other things not destined to make him
popular. And Mrs Martyr is afraid of
the scandal-there will be lot of talk,
you know, as soon as it comes out; so
Amy is going to marry Ned post haste,
and they'll all live happily ever after.
''There Isn't that a romance good
enough even for newspaper story? And,
speaking of newspapers, have you got your
scoop yet, Miss Carton? The sight of
Ned's and Amy's happiness has made me
wonder if there's going to be any for me.
All the time I've been West I've been
longing to write and ask you, but | made
myself wait until saw you face to face.
And now, whether you have succeeded or
not
For an instant the light of victory shown
in Kitty's eyes 81 did get it ! did
get it r she cried breathlessly. "And
some day I'll tell you all about it; but not
now, for-for have found that there are
other things that count just as much-if
not more-than scoops, said Kitty Car
ton, journalist.