Putnam patriot., 1910-12-30

letters eease,l eosnlns. ANA Elizabeth
stopped writing
On saturday HseTnln- ste fgok coun-
sci In her ewa eooru and decided that
Ralph Coverly was tired ~ her. II he
had not been il be had really car.-d
fer her. would he not have besitatea
at leaving a substitute for his own
ESCORT Was IL not 10 justify his own
attentions TO this other girl whose
name Aunt Agatha had once admitted
to be Eisie-that he had provided a
substitute: Eabens spoke little of his
partner beyond saying that the coveted
contract had been secured by Ralph.
Saturday morning Elizabeth went
hack 20 the boarding school where
she was teacher of music. but be-
fore she went she inclosed her en-
gaxement ring In a tiny box. register
ed 1t and sent /, 10 Rairh's Office. with
q brief note explaining her action.
lit has all beea mistake she said.
Anal Agatha,s farewell of her was
prolonged and affect5enzse at the late
breakfast several hours after the ring
and letter tad been sent
-G0oiay. my dear Elizabeth. I've
learned to dove you dearly. and I've
watched you closely during the past
week while Dick Fab~ns has been tax
ing you out. and You are u most ua-
usual girl Ralph has won a treasure
indeed We would have been SO I'M.
happy II be had cared for that Elsie
year. Its 3 good thing she eloped
with her chauffeur and went 10 Paris.
for Aud SO on until Elizaheth's
brain neeled with the horror of what
she had done.
Her farewell TO Mrs. Ceverly was
fearful and brief. but she did not dare
divuIge the fact Of her broken en-
gagement TO the woman who had TAX
en- the mot herless girl to her warm
heart
At FerncIiff the weeks passed drear
lily without word from Ralph There
was a picture postcard from Aunt
Agatha. who had returned to her
home. saving she trusted the missiye
found Eliza beth Ia good health. Then
Elizabeth mailed n card 10 Miss Dale
and hoped that lady was quite well.
aud SO ended her connection with the
Coseriy family
There came day several months
afterward when she received cards
for Dick Fabens wedding TO some
girl frem New Orleans. She laid 1t
away with little sigh II was mere
iy an echo of the happy life she had
dropped cut Of She blamed herself
bitterly for listening to Aunt Agathass
inane chatter and knew that she had
wronged Ralph And yet there was
the fact that he had ceased writing
to her That might be easily explain
ed. Letters often miscarried. There
was no excuse for her doubt OF her
lovers eonsfancy. She ought TO have
trusted him against everybody In tie
world. even as he would have done
had the ease been reversed.
That same day was haff holiday.
and Elizabeth. weary with the strain
of teaching and very unhappy. stole
away to spend the afternoon alone In
the beautiful chestnut woods that
stretched behind the school buildings
The trees were In their summer glory
Of gold and brown. and through the
scanty foliage there we're gfiuPsee .Gf
the clear blue sky. Where the trees
fringsd the banks Of the tumb1ng
river Elizabeth found seat on
messy rock.
The rushing of the river drowned all
ether sounds aud II was not until he
s1eed beside her that Elizabeth knew
Ralph Coverly had come at last. From
very joy in his presence she was pow.
erless 10 move.
He looked down AZ her. pale and
worn and quite unlike his usual buoy
ant self.
Elizabeth be said desperately.
I've just had Fabens invitation. III
II isn't he. who is ii z"
.sWso Is wkos" asked Elizabeth
weakly. her voice breaking as he
caught her hand,
THE one who came between US.
said Ralph hoarsely Aunt Agatha
limited wrote-it was F'abens. and
you were both so happy. so ! stopped
writing and came home to find the
ring and your letter j was beast TO
Fabens-thcught he had cut me out
With you-aad then he stiffened up.
and we've hardly been on speaking
terms outside 81 business. Then this
morning ! found his wedding invita-
ton in my mali. and so 4 came down
70 hnd out who The other man Is ]
would have sfakAd my life on your
faith. Elizabeth
-<sY.ou may now Wait. Ralph. till !
tel you all sobised Elizabeth. But
Ralph did not wait His arms we're
about her aad her snnly head on bis
shoasder while she poured out the mis-
and misery Of those
seven DAYS
Its turned out for the best. dear
ne comforted her This contract was
a big thing. and so aiH Do, going TO
walt another week for 81 June -
100 far away. Give M yonr position
and come Mother needs you. and !
do NOT dare run the chance Of having
10 provide another substitute
..or ano her ytsit from Aunt Agatha"
said Elizabeth devautiy.
Fila.