The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-19
a Virginian Page for Each Member Of the Family
AT THE PARTING OF THE WAYS

/ Gordon Vance paused beside them,
his handsome face deeply flushed. 81
was watching for you. Mics Barton,
he said.
Loig' eyes dropped under his ar
dent gaze. She was at the parting
of the ways. The niomentous ques-
tfon must soon be answered, and the
thought terrified her. There WAS
cowardIy impulse to run away--es-
cape 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 dazxied most girls In her posi-
ton. II would he madness 90 throw
away this matrimonial prize.
LET us find a quiet spot where we
can talk he pleaded presently. ~
/ have something particular to say to
! YOU.
Io,s gave a frightened gasp. Glanc-
! ing around, as Ii for protection, she
saw her cousin suddenly change color.
sare right ahead with tense express
| sion. then wheel about and come
| swiftly toward her.
I'm laint--ili. These rooms are
I SkAIIiHEs " PaffNN'
/ take me home. Mr.. Vance. Lois. get
/ your wraps and come quickly,
But Lois. suspicious had been
/ aroused Nv this sudden indisposltinn.
! CHANGING c1irialigiI- latsar1- -the-lin t41-
end CT the long room, she gaw tall.
I disiinguis hed-iooking man taking
animatedly with their hostess. 1t was
Ward winthrop!
one long drawn, startled breath,
MO 30
/ getter In 4 straight line, A dozen
! thronging emotions all at once re-
I solved themselves into fixed deter
ininati0n. Virginia pat out detain-
! ing hand, btrt che siiook II CT
! II mean To know the truth" she
/ said In 81 reselute voice.
Have you no pride--no shame =
I Virginia cried, angriiy- After thar
mans shappy treatment
But the girl was already half way
7 across the room.
Ward winthrop flushed. then paied,
when he saw her coming. His eyes
I had been drawn to her face as by a
/ tnngnet Something In her expression
1 quickly charged his Geld nod of reCog-
4 milton into cordial handclasp.
4 You, Louis? What O surprise' I'm
I delighted to see you again.
He booked at her Wtssfally- Mstn
? curious tntcGthtE@ AII&. NGEdA ifFe
conscious ~ something unusual in the
situation, disereetIy turned away The
( two were LETT standing ny them
selves Lois could hear the pounding
~ her own heart above ttn throb tf
the nausse. the battle of gay seiees
but the mans eager face swan mtstiiy
before her eyes
Lois, dear, what rs II Z" he bent
to whisper "no Snal feel that yeti
Il 1fsfg5 La t3 IA AfgNxPrlpH
letter Two years ago.
Your letter g. site repeated Il tH
ceiSed no letter from you.
| II wrote the morning ! left SURF.
giving the address ta which an an
swer was To be sent. ! was called
! away Speesiedig- hadn't time +,
/ come and bid you good~hy. / asked
yeu in that letter IL eou would marry
/ mo when I won out / watched tho
mails for many days, but no answer
/ ever came of course, concluded
you had taken that way to let rae
know my hopes were futile.
A sudden brightness went over Lois
face like a food Of spring sunshine.
..ynur- letter nE1Er- IL --a>>sslaed- -is--.
Ward" she said softly. Il think j
/ understand why
What would you have answered. II
Ii hade~ he interrupted eagerly ia :
Is what matters. J can ask sou 10
marry me with a clear conscience For
] have made good! Fame and tor-
tune are mine. | love YOU more fhsn
ever Have any esasEssse ct winning
/ what is af greater consequences Il
me than anything else In the whole
world ?"
Lois glanced back To where Gordon
Vance and Virginia were standfitk,
and a SILVER went ever her. The
aext moment she WAS smiling napp,sN
Ii.so her lovers face "0h. Wara.
lou did not come too soon.' she saio
In a solhinE whisper. Il was at the
parting Of the ways. ] might have
taken the one that led forever away
from yout"