The Dolores star., 1909-11-05
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within the hour after I had Barbara's
message"
Miss Winstanley wants you,"
said. nodding to the carriage. that had
turned and was bringing up to the
curb.
He was surprised to see Mrs Dimes,
and greeted her with a boyish affec-
ton that must have warmed her heart
"All on the way to the wedding?"
he inquired after he had shaken
hands.
There is to be no wedding, Dan,"
Miss Winstanley said. gently.
He had paled before she could ex-
plain.
"Nothing's wrong with Barbara ?"
he asked, quickly.
NO, no; everything Is just coming
right for her. Get in"-with q glance
toward the coachman. I'VE are driv-
ing to the house now. and Mrs Dimes
will explain to you. Then you must
tell Barbara what Ia to be told Wen
wait outside. and II she wants US we'll
come right in. II not you must tell
us. and we'll go away again. Don't
you-will you"
Il must tell you good-by." said.
AS started of across the Square,
Miss Winstanley called after me that
she would send for me later in the
day.
But was too impatient to await her
summons, and four O'Clock found me
at her door. As I turned in at the
steps. the door opened and Dan came
out. hurrying down and stopping at
sight of me to wiring my hand. He
was beaming I had not seen him SO
much like his old self IN months and
1t did my heart good. Somehow It
also seemed to presage well for me-
All his buoyancy had returned, and
he was once more the charming, ir-
resistible fellow we all loved
"Everything's all right at last. Tom,"
he cried. II don't deserve it, but I'm
down on my knees giving thanks for
It, just the same. and II ever" he
iuwered his voice. looking over my
shoulder at some one yho was ap.
proaching-"if ever ! get any of you
into such muss again. may be
hanged! Oh, it's been awful! You'll
never know. But it's over, thank God!
And now it's up to me to make good.
And that's what I'm going to do, old
man. Who is this confounded fellow
coming? wanted to talk with you
minute, but I'll look in after dinner,
II you're to be at home. There's q
deal to tell you." and he was of.
An ecclesiastical-lookins gentleman
mounted the steps with me, inquiring
for the bishop. while l went in to
Miss Winstanley.
She was flushed and smiling and
bright-eyed.
did you think had forgotten you?
Bless you. no. But there has been
so much to do. We only left Barbara
poor child, an hour ago. There were
messages to be sent for her orders
to countermand, and"
Then she isn't going with him?"
broke in.
Z "Oh. did you THINKS 1t possible
you gave her credit for so little"
IF she loved him"
She caught me up sharply. "Of
course she didn't love him. l always
told you that. but you would go on in
your stubborn unbelief in my intui-
tions. you foolish, foolish fellow. MY,
but she was gallant, though! She had
me almost bewildered at first; but
the moment she found that she could
have done with all pretense and that
her fancied obligation to Ankony was
at an end. then how she changed! 1t
was pitiful to see her One under
stood the terrific strain she has been
under. I'm not pretending to say
whether or not she cares for you, Mr..
Twining-thats for you to find out for
yourself. you know-but think 1t Is
only fair to tell you that she never
has cared for Ankony."
Thank Cod" devoutly murmured.
She patted my arm and made funny
little dabs. at her eyes with a dot Of
a handkerchief
She Is going out of town to stay
with some friends until the storm Of
the broken engagement has blown
over. she told me. They go to-mor-
row, she and Dan. He will stay with
her fortnight. until she Is little re-
covered, for In spite of her wonderful
courage and poise, she is tremendous
ly undOne by all this"
And is there nothing"
Nothing just yet" she smiled.
Now let me tell you what Dan and
are going to do. You remember that
have some undeveloped mining prop
erty In Montana. Experts have given
me good deal Of encouragement over
1t, but have been waiting to find just
the right man to put at the head Of
the work. And now Dan is to under
take 1t. Oh"-at my glance--.it isn't
philanthropic scheme. The boy
will give me excellent service. II 1t is
q good thing for him. it's q better
thing for me. And I'm to 80 out with
him to launch the enterprise. I've
NO notion Of being in the way when