The log cabin Democrat., 1909-09-23
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LOVERS
BY CHARLES l.. DOYLE
Copyright, by w. G. ChapmanJ


 began to realize how very few friends | the average person can rely upon HeI acquaintances in bygUne days had been legion in number, but with the change in her social position they be- came wonderfully scarce. Three or four of her girlhood chums remained faithful to the deposed princess of their merry circle and Loyalty ex pressed their admiration of the man ner in which she confronted her ad' verse destiny, but they were shining exceptions to the general rule. Perhaps the sharpest sting of all was contained in the knowledge that Lionel Wayne was utterly unworthy of the good opinion she once held of him. From the day when he first learned of her fathers financial ruin that astute gentleman had kept care fully out of sight, and never even came forward to express his sympathy. Yet Gertrude, in spite of the disap- pointment which the revelation of his true character inflicted upon her sen sitive nature, felt thankful that she had found him out in time to save her self from the bitterness of loveless marriage. Whether Winslow would prove equally faithless remained to be seen. Business had summoned him to California before the downfall of the Desboroughs had become public, and he was still absent from the city Ger trudes belief in mankind had been h,t h1, har aynoripncp and she hardly knew what to hope for when he returned.
 Time will show" she said with wise shake of her little head, and ad- dressed herself anew to the fight for existence
 A month had passed away, and Ger trude, weary from hard days work, was reclining on a sofa in the parlor of their flat. an open book beside her. while her father sat placidly smoking cigar and busted himself with formidable array of papers covered with endless rows of figures. A loud knock at the door caused Gertrude to spring to her feet, and an instant later the tall form of Hugh Winslow ap
  rose to the girls face at the sight of the unexpected visitor, but Winslow gave her no time for a commonplace salutation. Before she could speak her small hands were caught tightly in his strong ones and the glow of affection in his eyes told her that he | was still the same stalwart and un- J,l a ipinp fnypr who had CDhmittp6 | so meekly to her caprices in the past. My own little grill" he murmured, gently, and Gertrude's wealth of brown i tresses rested quietly on his breast. You young folks seem to have set. 1 tied this matter very satisfactorily 1 between you" broke in Merton Des- borough's voice. He smiled as he spoke, and Winslow grasped the ex- 1 financier's hand and shook 1t warmly.
 Thank heaven for your misfortune" he said, fervently; it has gained me the heart of the dearest girl on earth. Her money was the only bar between us, MT. DesbOrough."
 Merton Desborough's eyes were moist with feeling as he gazed at the | speaker. Ou are Just the klnQ Ol man I fancied you to be- he said, l finally. Gertrude knows by this time 1 what valuation to put upon fair-weath- CT friends and money-seeking suitors. And now I'll let you both into secret. My supposed ruin was nothing but 1 scheme to test the worth of those who sought my daughters hand. Merton Desborough is just as heavy weight in the financial scales as he was seven weeks ago. I don't regret the eXperi. | ment, for it not only proved Gertrude's courage and affection, but also gave her a husband who really loves her for herself
 One of Gertrude's arms crept around her fathers neck and the other rested upon Winslow's broad shoulder. "The two people I love most in the whole, wide world" she said. saftly. T am a very happy girl tonight, l papa"