The daily Alaskan., 1909-08-19
MARCHES FREEDOM,
By MARION MANvlLLE.

with Jack Kelly,
 They had been lovers from child hood, always together, always devoted and absolutely loyal to each other, and now, just a few months before the wedding day, the unexpected happened.
 The young people were planning a nuttlng expedition, and Jack had called, as he did every evening, to tell Marcia tho details
 "we start from IRwton's at Q, SO l wln come for you little earlier. You win be readyT' There was scarcely a question in hts voice,
 Marcia was always ready. He had finished up that subject, and his thoughts were Ousy with something else when t dawned on him that Mar. cla's answor and tone wore quite diff ferent from what he had expected, She had risen and was speaking rapid ly, intensely.
 "No, shall moi be ready then or any time again. Jack. I'm not going with you any more, and here's your ring"
 She thrust the mute emblem of their past happiness Into his hand, stood cxpectant moment; then, as he did not speak, she turned from him and walked Into the house.
 Jack was too daSed to move. How long he sat there he never knew, but at last he went away. The light and happiness had been crushed out of his life at ono blow,
 Fall slipped Into winter, and tho usual festivities began, Jack Kelly never appeared at them, but he heard of Marcia, first with one man, then with another. the belle of the season. And Marcia enjoyed her freedom. For tho first time In her young life she was receiving attention from other admir- CTS than Jack, and she was constantly comparing them with him.
 sam Duncan was splendidly big and handsome, though his eyes lacked the genial twinkle, the tender sympathy of Jacks. Dan Hemly was extrayRgant and she was sure it was wronS-not that she could endure a sting man. Jack was generous, too, but he had some principle about it,
 Ted Reynolds fell In love with Mar cla at once and insisted on taking her everywhere. He was full of fun, q brilliant tslker and an all around good fellow. Marcia liked him immensely until Christmas day, Then she found his card at the bottom of the basket of roses she had thought came from Jack, and after that there was bitterness in her heart toward the man who had dared Co send what she expected from her neglected lover.
 As soon as spring came Marcia was seen constantly in Harry Lawton's automobile. Rumor had already en- gaCed her Co a dozen different men, and now it settled on Lawton as m Sbso- lute certainty. Marcia held her peace.
 Now and then, when MSrclS had an occasional glimpse of Jacks face, with the deep lines around the lips that of old were always smiling and tender for her, she would so home, shut her self in her room and cry herself to sleep.
 "The old stupSdl Why doesn't be come Co sec meY she would say to herself. angry at his unouestioning se- ceptance of her dismissal.
 It was the lst of June, just c week before Marcia's birthday, which was also to have been her wedding day. Al day long she had been puIzling her brain to fnd way out of her dnem- ma. Things had not turned out exact ly as she had planned them in the months just gone She had expected to retain Jacks friendship, to have him call occasionally, but she had never exchanged a word with him since the night she had sent hhn away, At last, because she could think ot no better way, she sent him note;
 Dear Jack-A Eirl you used Go know win be at our house tonight and wishes to see you. Come at :, MARCIA
 Quite bcwildered, unable to guess who the girl might be, Jack obeyed the summons. He found Marcia alone In the psrlor. Never had she looked % bewitchiuE Co him as she did after the months ot separation. She was dressed all In his favorite white, relieved only by & single black rcd jack rose. Jack caught hts breath with sudden pain as he realiged all that 1t meant to love her. With irresistible longing he kept her haRd and drew her close into his arms.
 "Marcia, darling" he murmured, his face against hers, ''ten me R isn't true. Say that this lonely winter hss been a horrible nightmare and I'm waking now"
 The girl you used Co know"-- she began
 Bother the sirlI I 6Sn't want her. I want you-youy'
 She drew away from him little,
 ''The girl, Jack, is the one you used tc Dc engAScd te,"
 He caught her In hE NTueS again, and Marsis finished her conr1slSN
 "Toa never asked her wAs ska gave back the ring, Tou didn't gfys Der c chance eo explain that before Fne be-