The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-17

$ him, The dance was all too short FOL
him when 1t came.
II could have wished 1t to be twice
as long he said, as the music ceased
I. "Why?" she asked.
Secretly she guessed. and knew The
confusion she was counting. Yet enc
could not resist the curiosity to hear
what he would shy.
Granger was tempted to say Be
cause of you; 1t was almost on the
tip Of his tongue. But he had sud-
den. swift blow OF memory. He rs-
n'einbered more than his lack Of for
.tlne. He was reminded of his origin
that he even did mot know his father
and mother--and the light died out in
his face. He had courage. but he
could not grnpple the shame of .:on-
! Tossing to her his namelessness Even
/ Leonard Granger" was badge of
his mean birth, from which he had
risen only by his own studious ambi-
tion. The name had been given to
him al the founding institute
Aren't you we'll. Mr.. Grainger7"
/ Gladys asked again, when he did not
| speak.
"Yes-I--oh! should be better in
my quarters than here!" he said half
desperately.
Don't say that" she smiled. 'See,
Captain Hazledene, of the First ORA
COON Guards. was my next partner
/ But he has come over unwell--I have
mot filled the dance-you shall have II.
! What makes you downcast so all of Il
sudden?'
The words that had come from him
| on an impulse now began to make him
feel coward. They had stripped him
into the very thing he had not had the
courage to face. and he knew that II
he stayed with her she would draw
sweetness, and his love for her, held
him. He could not tear himself away.
He might not have been alone, In this
bower OF palms and roses to which
they had come. for another year.
What I said was true" he replied,
\ speaking tho words that came first to
him. II ought not to be here"
That's not kind to me-" she said:
and swiftly her cheek flushed. She
saw instantly that she had tripped
II know" he confessed, contritely.
was thinking what a hopeless case
I am
Not with generals sash before
you" she smiled again.
If l We're a general tomorrow I
should still be hopeless" he disclaimed
gravely.
Why? Because of some loss of for
tune?"
NO. not that. I have no fortune
now. but I might make one. am
hopeless because"
Granger stopped; his throat tight
ened, and the shame of his thoughts
silenced him.
Because what?" Gladys asked.
Perhaps I can help you. Let me, If
! camp
The tone in which she spoke was
new to him. 1t had in 1t gentleness
and solicitude that he had never heard
in her voice before. Something was
moving him in spite of himself. For a
moment he looked at her hesitantly;
then the words seemed to come from
him Of their own accord.
Because I could not offer the wo-
man love name," he said.
Gladys looked at him wonderingly
He had known that if he stayed she
would draw out his secret, and he
started as he recognized what he hal
said. He had lifted the curtain on
self-revelation There was no escape
|
for him now.
) Gould not offer her name?'
Gladys echoed, suspicion coming to
her that he was liable to mental de-
rangement. but Lieutenant Granger
is Lieutenant Granger. Isn't that a
name?"
NO, it's label" he explained, in a
dull, absent way.
Again Gladys wondered He hat
| 81 -,
she felt an unbidden glow come to her.
For some moments they were silent.
Tell me what you mean?" she said
gently. Let me help you"
Granger knew that he must tell her
now. or else appear doubtful of trust
ing her. That he could tell her all, he
knew quite we'll; he could see loyalty
in her face; 1t was only the shame OF
revealing that he was not of the quail
ity that he seemed to be that made
him hesitate. Yet he knew that II
ever he hoped to ask her to be his
wife he would have to tell her the
as we'll be told now as then; and
somehow. the words came from hin
brokenly.
Il never knew my father and moth.
err" he said. looking away from her
Il was founding. Leonard Grain
ger was only the label given to me-
The secret was out. He listened for
her to speak. There was only silence
but thrill shot through him. He fel,
her hand on his arm.
Does 1t matter?" she said, new
quietness in her tone. 1T doesn't
alter you. You could never have
reached to where you are II you had
not been brave, strong and great.
hearted. Think OF that rather thar
OF the other Who could help honor
ing you for what you have done? Be.
sides. there may be romance behind
1t ALL" For a moment she paused
then she added. in a still lower tone
"Then-as to her-let me tell YOU
what a woman would do. II she loved
lyou. she would think of nothing else
1t was more than he could stand
: He turned quickly, and saw the ligh
I in her eyes.
: "Gladys." he broke out. impulsively
catching her hand. Cant you guess
There is only one woman. II YOU
. loved me i could win all the rest!"
q A revelation for him was in he
/. fnCe. she did NOT stir her hand n hi