The Ely miner., 1910-08-12

to overfiOwing with faShtonably
dressed men and women. 1t was the
usual crush-music, flowers, ravish
ing toilets. AS the newcomers were
making the slow round of the rooms
Virginia Peyton dropped a sharp
whisper into her companions ear.
Look! There he is! He's coming
this way This may be your last
chance, remember!"
Gordon Vance paused beside them
his handsome face deeply flushed. 81
was watching for you. Miss Barton
he said.
Lois eyes dropped under his ardent
gaze. She was at the parting of the
ways. The momentous question must
soon be answered, and the thought ter.
rified her. There was cowardly i'm
pulse to run away-escape from 1t
all.
But marriage with this man meant
the elimination Of many bitter-sweet
memories from her sore heart Cor
don Vance was cultivated, agreeable
she might love him in time. The
prospect Of becoming his wife would
have dazzled most girls in her posi-
ton. It would be madness to throw
away this matrimonial prize.
Let us find quiet spot where we
car talk" he pleaded presently. 81
have something particular to say to
you"
Lois gave frightened gasp. Clan
/ 81 a
saw her cousin suddenly change color.
stare right ahead with tense express
sion, then wheel about and come
swiftly toward her.
'I'm faint-ill! These rooms are
sitting" Virginia painted. please
take me home, Mr.. Vance. Lois, get
your wraps and come quickly"
But Lois suspicious had been
aroused by this sudden indispositfon.
Glancing curiously toward the upper
end of the long room she saw tall.
MISUNDERSTANDING man talking an
imatedly with their hostess. 1t was
Ward Winthrop!
and the girls sweet lips came to-
gether in a straight line A dozen
thronging emotions all at once re-
solved themselves into a fixed deter
mination, Virginia put out a detain-
ing hand, but she shook 1t off.
81 mean to know the TRUTH she
said In resolute voice.
Have you no pride-no shame?"
Virginia cried angrily. AFTER that
mans shabby treatment"
Ward Winthrop flushed, then
paled, when he saw her coming. His
eyes had been drawn to her face as
by a magnet. Something in her ex-
preston quickly changed his cold nod
of recognition into a cordial hand.
clasp.
"You, Lois? What surprise! I'm
delighted to see you again"
He looked at her wistfully, with
curious intentness. Mrs. Vandyke.
conscious of something unusual in the
situation, discreetly turned away. The
two were left standing by themselves.
Lois could hear the pounding of. her
own heart above the throb of the mu-
sic, the babble of gay voices; but the
mans eager face swan mistily before
her eyes.
Lois, dear, what is it," he bent to
whisper. "Do you feel that you made
mistake in not answering my letter
two years ago?"
"Your letter." she repeated. .I re-
ceived no letter from you"
81 wrote the morning 1 left Surry.
giving the address to which an answer
was to be sent. I was called away
UNEXPECTEDLY. l hadn't time to come
and bid you goodby. I asked you In
that letter If you would marry me
when I won out I watched the mails
| for many days, but no answer ever
came. OF course, I concluded you had
taken that way to let me know my
| hopes were futile"
A sudden brightness went over
Lois face like food Of spring sum
shine.
"Your letter never reached me.
Ward" she said softly. II think un-
derstand why"
/, What would you have answered II
it had?" he interrupted eagerly. THAT
is what matters. I can ask you to
marry me with clear conscience.
For have made good! Fame and
fortune are mine. l love you more
than ever. Have any chance Of win
ming what is of greater consequence
to me than anything else in the whole
world?"
Lois glanced back to where Gordon
Vance and Virginia were standing and
shiver went over her. The next
moment she was smiling happily into
her lovers face. ooh, Ward, you did
not come too soon," she said in sob.
bing whisper. 81 was at the parting
of the ways. l might have taken the
one that led forever away from you'll"