The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-11-25
FRANKS SISTER

have my revenge. lie aughI ouI
Frank to bet-led him to destruction.
He can get out Of II because he is a
millionaire. How dare he NEEDLE with
our only boyY"
Il don't think be is so bad. know
him. and
IL do not know him. have never
seen him. | don't want to know him"
But
There isn't the ghost Of but
Ruin is the only word IN the language.
There is auntie looking for me. and |
Will have to go home without seeing
Lord Steeplechase Here is auntle.
and | shall have to say good night to
you. 1t was very good Of you to listen
to my scoldlng and not to be cross
about losing your dance And | don't
even know your name"
my name Is OF no consequence. and
| don't mind the dance. I've been aw-
fully interested In what you've been
saying"
IL suppose you don't wan 10 be nc
quainted with such an I'll tempered
person. However. I'm going home to
the country tomorrow. and so it does
not matter about ballroom acquaint-
ances All the same, you've been very
patient and kind"
VIII you give me a spray OF your
lowers as n reward-a lily OF the val
ley? Thanks. Most typical and sweet
| swear on this blossom TO have 1t out
with Lord Steepechase."
Franks sister has been three weeks
at home, and the day is a mellow day
In June.
II hope you did not really say all
that to your partner, my dear" said
auntie, "and am thankful you did not
meet Lord Steeplechase."
A maid crosses the lawn with a let
ter and hands 1t to her
From Frank She opens and
reads:
Dear Old Girl-You Will be so jolly glad
to hear some good news at last OF your
ne'er-do-well. Lord Steeplechase has got
me an awfully swell appointment which
will make the people sit up who have
been down on me- Not only that. but he
has paid all my debts. because he says
he is responsible as having been the cause
IF my lmprudence. But don't believe a
word OF that for he had really nothing
to do with H. lie seems 20 be awftlly
fond OF me. BY the way. he says he met
you somewhere. and he asks me 10 take
him down with me to shire and intro
duce him properly / may ask him TO
come some day. and l hope you will re-
celve him decently And that reminds
mel am coming at once with a mutual
friend OF his and mine. You may expect
US at any moment. Tell the mater 10
cheer up.
lit is a world Of miracles" she re-
fleets. Lord Steeplechase turning out
our benefactor. Where did he meet
me. wonder? | suppose be was afraid
to get introduced. Wheels. Can Frank
be arriving" Two masculine figures
emerge from the trees. why, 1t Is
the friend Of Lord Steeplechase whom
talked to at the ball. | am so glad!
Dear old Frank"
Dear old woman. How's the ma
ter? Did you get my letter? This is
my best friend and also the friend Of
Lord Steeplechase."
l,o.i~.I I.nraanffncrl civ NJ tho frlAnH
while giving her hand.
II hope you have forgotten all | said
to you that night | was unpardon'
ably severe. IL seems. on third per
son. He has been shocklngly treated
at least II be knew-but unless you
told him-dld you|
II always keep my own secrets
But that was hardly your own"
81 made it a personal matter"
81 am deeply Obliged to you. He has
done wonderful things for Frank"
Hello" said Frank. here is the
mater. Dear old mater. your prodigal
son has come back. | am going to
make the fortune Of the family. Lord
Steeplechase"-
His mother shrieks: THAT monster.
Do not name him. Only for him my
son would hold an honored position"
Franks sister put her hand lightly
on her mothers lips.
Mother there is a stranger present.
Take her aside and talk TO her. Frank
and make her understand"
and leave you to entertain Lord
steeplechase? Excellent! Ta-ta! I'm
of. Mother. take my arm aud let me
take you for a quiet turn"
"Steeplechase" She looks after the
retreating mother and son and then
at the mutual friend" who has drawn
n step nearer to her
"You are Lord SteeplechaseT
"Forgive"-
"Oh.
She struggled with her confusion for
n few moments.
"You sad You were only Lord Stee-
plechase's friend"
MI fllN @allN NHNhN Af''N' -
man In his own worst enemy. But
Lord Siecplechase has come to Franks
sister to say that he feels as she wish
ed him To feel. ashamed OF himself.
for he had some involuntary share In
Franks dellnqucncies."
81 am glad II was involuntary. You
nre older than Frank"
"And to allow her to have revenge
How"
by sending him out OF her pres
ence."
"You ought TO be glad to 60"
"Golng will be Punishment from
new found Joy and hope"
Then he produces. handling 1t very
tenderly. a faded spray Of lily Of the
valley.