Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-08-05

II III dlTdlu uOH quite uuUcT-
stand, Zarelda," he said, hoarsely.
Has anything-gone wrong?"
II have accepted Harry Borden"
was all she said.
AT least l should think-don't you
think-that you owe me some sort Of
explanation? His eyes deepened.
The girl colored with her ready
flush. Il have written" she faltered,
you will find the letter awaiting you
at home. l omitted TOTO inclose the
ring, and that is why-why / came
here"
The girl hesitated for an indeter-
inmate second; the blood rose darkly
to her temples. Then, with little in
catch of her breath, she demanded:
why did you take Lily Lester to the
Carson's cotillon when we"
why did you go there with Harry
Borden?"
II understood-from him-that you
had asked her"
II asked her only when / learned
that you and he were going together"
For an instant they stood there with
locked eyes.
1T was all horrible mistake Ia
die" Hayburn said at last, for which
our life's happiness will have to pay
the penalty"
To his establishment the girl turned
from him abruptly. You were ridicu-
lousy attentive to her, anyway" she
hurled at him angrly over her Shout
der "Good-by." She walked rapidly
down the avenue and left him stand
ing there. He waited a moment. and
then crossed the street mechanically
and caught car for home.
Sure enough the girls letter was
waiting for him there. He tore it
open avidly and read:
Teddy: under separate cover | am
returning TO you your ring AS | am
soon to become Harry Borden's wife
do not feel as though l ought to keep
it, even if it was but simple token of
friendship between us. -
Hayburn flung down the letter
sharply. Token of friendship. II cut
like knife. And what was worse,
she had loved him, and in a fit of
pique had gone deliberately to work
and betrothed herself to that cad! He
had seven-eighths of a mind to run
that individual down and tell him the
truth-and if he still refused to give
up the girl, to choke him to death on
the spot But the rational eighth prob
ably saved his life, for he proceeded
to calm himself Immediately, and read
the remainder of the letter: Z"
You must not attempt TO see me, for
we shall in all likelihood be married
tomorrow and sail at once for Nor.
way. 80 ="
Again he threw down the crumpled
sheet. and straightway called a cab
and drove to her home.
She did not keep him waiting.
AS you are leaving so soon," Hay
burr began when she came into the
room, II shall try not to detain you
longer than is necessary. But there
was something / was obliged to return
to you, and that is why l am here"
he hurried on, mockingly, but courte.
Gus to degree. This little photo
graph you gave me several years ago"
A little involuntary exclamation es-
capped the girls white lips. She half
swayed as she put out one slender
hand to the back of a chair for sup
port But in moment she had col
lected herself and held out her hand
matter-offactly for the picture.
"Good-by, Zadie," he said, and held
out his hand.
She raised her eyes with a look that
was in every way cool and undis-
turbed. 'fGood-by," she answered
steadily.
He crushed her fingers and turned
toward the door. Half way there the
sound of his name, called in a sweet.
quayering treble, caused Hayburn to
turn with a swift heartbeat.
"Oh, Zadie!" he cried; why did
you?" He looked at her with heart.
broken eyes.
Il didn't" she whispered with
her face in her hands.
But Borden-you told him"
"I-wrote him." she interposed.
TREMENDOUSLY.
Worse! Now he's got it in black
and white"
"Not-not yeti"
What do you mean?" he demanded
fiercely; his unconscious hands
gripped her delicate wrists till she
WINGED
Il might tear It up" she sobbed,
against his coat