The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-01-23

covered herself first
'Auntie," she said, and shy
pride overspread her happy eyes.
tais Is Bert. my Bert. saw there
had been some mistake, so | sent
MIN word to come at once" explain
Ing as Miss Serena only stared
blankly. This is my Mr.. Lyttle-
ton"
But then-who?" :asped Miss
Serena. hopelessly. Yours don't
understand"
Nor l. There must be some
mistake" repeated the girl.
Miss Serena, her hands shaking
piteously, snatcheo letter from
her desk and held 1t out.
Read It," she managed, read
it-yes. It's typewritten. as the
girl uttered an amazed sound. But
read it--see IL 1t means anything
to you"
Dear Madam" began Eleanor,
obejiently. Yours Of the four
teenth Just received and I write to
say that l will be happy to accept
informal invitation tJr dinner on
Tuesday, twenty-eighth inst, at
eight o'clock.
Yours truly,
wv. A. Lyttleton."
The letter was written on United
workers paper, the envelope was
addressed plainly to Miss Serena
Bradford. His straight young
brows drawn close, the newcomer
scrutinized the signature.
Its most extraordinary" he
commented perplexedly. You say
your note was directed to Mr. Lyt-
tleton, care the United Workers.
Did YOU
He paused as the man with with
the red carnation appeared in the
! doorway. The man halted a mo-
ment, then stepped forward quick
! ly.
why, Mr.. Lyttleton," exclaimed
the man. You here! WHY"
A sense of something wrong made
him glance hastily from one per-
turbed countenance to tie other.
Then as his eyes fell upon the open
letter, the vague doubts which all
the evening had been mlstily hover
ing on the brink of his conscious
ness, Crystallized into certainty.
He flung out a protecting hand.
! You here?" he repeated. Then
wasn't that invitation for me after
all? l sort of misdoubtei from the
first it couldn't be. But Jim Hal
liday told me that New York folks
were SO hospitable," a sudden whis-
| pering entreaty trembling beneath
the spoken word. Had it all been
mistake then? Was this wonder
full glimpse into another world only
a cheat-a bit of experience 70
which he personally, had no right?
The tall young man, whose keen
regard had been gradually clearing,
interposed
why, l know you," he said i'm
pulsively Il have seen you in
the United Workers building" his
somewhat stern young face irrad-
lated by a friendly fash of white
teeth, haven II"
Sure, l am William Lyttleton,
the new secretary was the steady
response. Il ct the place wo
weeks ago, just after you came.
But 1t was my name, tool never
thought" His voice was grave.
Didn't you know?" he demanded,
turning swiftly upon Miss Serena.
you seemed to. Didn't you?"
For one terrible moment Miss Sc
rena hesitated. Be kind to such
person, yes; send him a check in
the morning, by all means. But re-
ceive him socially, present him to
her friends! Her former intrep-
idty shrank TO mere commonplace
ness before what this implied. In
stinctively she glanced up at the
portrait, the very embodiment of
ancient lineage and pride of race.
Offend that? Ar this time delib-
erately, irremediably. Miss Serena
caught her breath. overwhelmed for
moment with doubt.
Then, as her gaze encountered
the two troubled eyes fixed upon her
| oWHt OSo IliC cuI
ness of her Aature swept a revul-
sion of feeling that shook the in
most centres OF her soul. Here
was a man, simple, sincere, shrewd
even If not cultured in the worldly
sense and-her guest. Offend him!
Miss Serena flung ur her head with
generous scorn. The seed of re-
volt planted week ago, qulckened
by interest, guarded BY expanding
sympatAies, now at this crucial in
stant burgeoned forth into broad
triumphant bloom.
No; there has been no mistake"
she said, and her voice rang out
clear and sweet as she laid her hand
upon this mans arm. My invita-
ton reached tho right person. And
there will have to DO many more
dinners before we can successfully
| carry ont all the ulang which wa