Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-11-10

of her most sacred trust. But the
deep-rooted feelings of years could
not SO easily be torn up and flung
aside.
In the midst of her despair there
came a peremptory ring at the front
door. Toni Her pulses bounded.
He had come back to her to tell her
that he had found the owner Of the
glove and the reason for its being in
his pocketl The solution flashed
luminously across her brain. She
rose, steadying herself by an effort,
and hurried to the door. But the man
standing there was a stranger
Il beg your pardon" he commenced,
but was told might find Mr.. Pres
ton here?"
He left about a half hour ago."
said Betty jerl1ily. Il think perhaps
you could reach him at his Office"
Thank you very much. but I'm
afraid l shan't have time to get by
there. I'm trying to catch that $3.50
train south. l very carelessly walked
of with his topcoat last night We
were at the club together, and left
first, taking his coat, which is the
counterpart of mine, with me- If you
would be good enough to let him
know that have left his at the club
and ask him to forward mine to At
lanta should be greatly obliged"
Betty kept down her exhilaration
long enough to assure him that she
would be delighted" then turned and
re-entered the room In tumult of
emotions. The first thing she did was
to ring up Preston's ONCE. He was
not there. He was not at home,
either, and as time passed and there
came no answering call, she went
wearily to bed and spent dazed
night.
The following morning she read in
the paper that the Third regiment
would leave Immediately for the Phil
ippines instead of two weeks hence,
as originally ordered She quilted
the breakfast table, leaving her food
untasted. What If he had already
gone and she would never see him
again? A little sob rose in her throat
and choked her. All at once the
possibility became reality, and she
began to wiring her hands. She had
sent him to his death-broken her
own heart and his-acted the part of
a despicable wretch
She went into the morning room
and began to straighten the books
and papers. But the atmosphere suf- |
focated her and she hurried out to |
the garden to cut fresh roses for the |
vases. The tears were falling fast as
she bent to snip the flaming jacque-
minots from the bush, when suddenly |
she felt the pressure of warm palms
over her bulging eyes. Startled, she
turned and Preston caught her in his
arms.
Were sailing at three" he said.
'and couldn't endure the thought of
going so far without making one more
You-you'll not refuse to
tell me good-by, Betty? lit may be
the last time we'll ever meet"
Betty's roses dropped In a crimson
shower to the ground. When she
could find her voice, she said tremu-
ously: mo, l shall not tell you good
by, Tom, IL can't"
Preston's arms fell limp at his sides.
rhe light died out of his face He
ooked down for a moment and drew
her glance to his. Their eyes merged;
hers, tentative, radiant; his. puzzled,
deepening with shadows. Betty's
brave glance fickered beneath the
pleading tenderness of his. Preston's
question hung mute upon his lips.
Il have other plans" she whis-
Dered with her cheek against his
sleeve. Il mean to be revenged. Con-
shall go with you"
Regardless of possible passers-by.
Preston drew her to his arms.
Afterward, she told him about the