The Elbert County tribune., 1909-09-30
CHAPTER Iv.-continued.

Then you won't-you wont-oh.
will you" she cried chaotically
81 won't" declared. ITS all right.
Why, Barbara. bless you, you knew
that. didn't your"
taere never was-oh, why do you
..iake me say such things?-there
never was anything-anything be-
tween us, Mr.. Twining. You don't
care for me. really, | am sure. YOU
never told me 50. and
No. l never told you So, re-
peated, II was waiting"
Don't" she begged But. you see
didn't know. And. oh, 1t couldn't
have
I stopped and touched her hair with
my lips.
Never mind" said l.; tell me about
who has been to see you. want to
know everything. you know"
She lifted me grateful glance.
Mrs. Tyson Potter was here" she
said. and a new. stinging smile
touched her lips she came to say
pleasantly unpleasant things. She told
me quite frankly that 1t was wise
thing for a poor girl like me to marry
rich. You wouldn't"
II am not Mrs. Tyson Potter. The
old heathen!"
Barbara flashed me a smile.
But it's rather the natural thing
for people to say OF such an engage
ment." she protested moment later.
"You know 1t is." r@r., =
Nonsense! 1t isn't. And what do
you care what they say? Was there
ever a betrothal that was not the sig
nal-gun for perfect voliey of silly
chatter"
She smoothed crumpled frill of
lace.
Miss Winstanley has not been
here" she said Significantly. -
She's not in town. She left the
day before your engagement was an
nounced. Didn't you know?v
No. Oh. I'm SO glad. l thought
she disapproved. And I'm SO very
fond Of her couldn't bear
Nothing OF the sort She'll write
you the minute she hears. of course.
She has gone OF somewhere with a
sick friend a.a probably hasn't heard
the news yeti
How comforting you arel It's such
relief to hear it, couldn't bear to
feel estranged from her. The bishop
was very kind. He sent me those
beautiful roses there
"Where?" questioned 4 eagerly.
There on the table. Wasn't it odd
he should have chosen Soleil dor
beauties? Why, where are they?" she
asked. as she turned to look at them
and so to avoid looking at me.
They are in the south drawing
ROOM ! replied gravely; "I'll go and
get them"
caught the glimmer in her eyes as
] passed her.
When | came back she was stoop
ing so l could not see her face. buf
she spoke softly. II have asked Mr.
Ankony always to send me the palel
roses"
1t was the point beyond which
could not keep my head, nor my lips
Barbara" cried out foolishiy.
You know how 4 dislike remind
ers.' she said quietly.er* And ours ha,
been pleasant--friendship
had got hold OF myself again.
What did the bishop write you?"
asked.
"Oh. a charming little note. He salt
the most beautiful things in it,"
y: is part ofshis mission-to sa,
beautiful things"
And how well he fills It! He Il
such dear" g..
so Mrs. Ankony says remarked
Mrs Ankony?
Mrs. Jack-whep he rides in tn,
park with Miss Streeter"
"Oh." and she smiled politely. How
many women smile politely wheI
their husbands relatives are men
toned!
"Oh. perhaps you don't like her. Il
that it?"
Il suppose you will go to the Cana
dian Rockies for your bridal trip?"
suggested presently.
mo. no." she cried sharply.
You always said you would lik'
that. you know"
n have changed my mind.