The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-04
CHAPTER XVII.
Charlotte's Dismissal.

Happy In the thought that she was
To dine with Ernest for the first time;
Dlissfully unaware of the cataclysm
which was To tumble her joyously built
air castle into heap OF dust. Char
lCtte came blithely into the library a
huge bunch of fresh. sweet smelling
y.olets In her arms Rose. with sink
ing heart, busted herself AT the books
awaiting for the young secretary 10
speak
Look AZ my violets.' Charlotte
cried gaily Aren't they beautiful?
/ hey are the last OF the season"
Rose did not answer. Charlotte got
a vase. placed IL in the center OF the
table and filled il with water and ar
ranged the violets. She drew out the
single bloom.
You're not very laxative, Rose,
she said, struck by the unusual sill
ence OF the old woman See: | am
going TO press this In my note book
as souvenir OF my first dinner here.
Where is my note book?
She scare he'd for II on the desk, but
Ernest, in his last moment In the H.
braTy, had snatched it up and taken II
with him. Rose spoke for the first
time. ia rather tremulous voice
II isn't there. it's been taken away.
/ Mr.. Ernest took IT,"
Where did ne put it,"
He mid il" Rose replied, bursting
into tears.
Charlotte felt instantly that some
thing had happened that affected her.
She went over TO Rose and patted her
kindly on the arm.
Don't cry, Rose; tell me what's the
matter Something has happened
Where is he?"
The kind hearted old nurse still
could not tell her. but Charlotte was
beginning 10 divine a breach She
took a step toward Ernest's door. but
Rose held out her hands imploringly.
Don't go" she said.
Charlotte turned slowly and looked
inquiringly at her.
lie doesn't want me here any
more" she said slowly and sadly, un
derstandlng al last
All. never thought should have
| the courage to tell you" Rose said IN
tone of immense relief.
Its another woman" Charlotte said
quickly
That always is the first and usually
the correct conclusion OF woman
who is sighted by the man she loves
/ Rose rallied quickly TO his defense
she strongly sympathized with Char
! lotte. and thought Ernests behavior
dlsgraceful, but she could not forget
her own maternal love for him, nor
see him misjudged
! If there is. it's not his fault. my
poor dearie," she said There's u
/ be change In his life. He's going
To- do something foolish He'll ex
plain. Hell call OH you tomorrow. OF
maybe very soon--for he's not proud
OF himself. and he hasn't much rea
son to be" she added, grimly.
Charlotte all her life had been &C
Gus toned to self-denial, TO seeing
others get the things she most covet
ed. Here all her hopes were dashed
/ To pieces. She had grown quite con
Itert to be Ernests secretary, although
always cherishing the secret hope that
she might some day be more.
And now she could not even be his
| secretary. she must return To her old
! nfe. she must be a governess to un
rally children or the companion OF
some querulous old lady.
But she never rallied at fate: never
blamed any one for these reverses Of
/ fortune She was bitterly hurt and
disappointed now, but she was ready
TO forgive.
Don't blame nim,' she said To Rose
lies been more than Kind 10 me
/ That should have a place In
his life was too much 10 hope for.