The Montgomery tribune., 1910-09-16

Gordon Vance paused beside them.
his handsome face deeply flushed II
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 Il
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
can talk" he pleaded presently. II
have something particular to say to
you"
Lois gave frightened gasp. Clan
cling around, as II for protection, she
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 indisposition.
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!
One long-drawn, startled breath,
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 OF.
'T 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. II re-
ceived no letter from you"
81 wrote the morning l left Surry.
giving the address to which an answer
was to he sent. was called away
| un0XpeCICuly. 1 uduu tlulc W CoulC
and bid you goodby. I asked you In
that letter If you would marry me
when won out. watched the mails
for many days, but no answer ever
came. OF course, 1 concluded you had
taken that way to let me know my
hopes were futile"
A sudden brightness went over
Lois face like a food OF spring sun
shine
"Your letter never reached me.
Ward" she said softly. II think I 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 a clear conscience.
For l have made good! Fame and
fortune are mine. I 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 a sob
bing whisper. "I was at the parting
of the ways. I might have taken the
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