The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-07-28

She carried his picture in a tiny locket
about her neck, and on her desk was a
porcelain painting of him.
She glanced smilingly at the dozen
different caricatures each newspaper
had proudly named as the "only true
likeness" of the mighty one. Then.
with queer little pang at her heart.
she opened the secret compartment of
her desk and drew forth an old photo
graph of Billy Chalmers. She looked
into the handsome, serious eyes long
and earnestly: a little sob caught in
her throat How she had loved him!
Could 1t be really true. she asked her.
self, that he had changed so much
and cared for that other (O, cared
enough to marry her. as report said?
A sharp rap on her door interrupted
the painful train of thought, and Sylvia
rose and turned the knob. schooling
her face into unconcern. 1t was a spe-
cial. in Billy's own handwriting, and
she tore open the envelope with GRIM
soning cheeks:
Dear Sylvia" it ran MAY I call at
four on a matter of Importance? Am
sailing at daybreak for Germany to
take up the study of medicine in Ber-
lin. Please do not refuse me.-Billy."
For an instant Sylvia stood holding
the sheet between trembling, icy fin
gers. Should she see him? All the
fierce resentment and wounded pride
of the past year surged up in her de-
tense; with swift impulse she seized
a pen and dashed down a single word
and signed it Sylvia"
The succeeding hours were the long.
est Sylvia had ever spent In her life,
but Chalmers arrived promptly. She
greeted him with her most formal little
manner, effectually screening wild in
ward turbulence from his eager pene-
trating glance.
Every attempt he made to lead the
conversation into personal channels
was baked by her, and finally Chal-
mers broke out abruptly:
Look here. Sylvia, the last time 1
saw you 1t was an understood thing be-
tween us that as soon as we both grad
uated we'd be-"
Have you orgotten-Alline?" she
interposed. coldly.
THAT affair was all my mothers
doing. Only recently | learned of the
report in the paper which you must
have seen. l went at once to Miss Bes-
ter and told her the true situation. She
is to be married in April to another
man. We shook hands and parted
friends. On my word of honor, that is
the sum and substance of the whole
thing. BY George. Sylvia who is that
fellow?" Chalmers had caught sight
of the panel on the mantelshelf, and
the color flooded his face.
Sylvia blushed, too, and said. fool
ishly: isn't he wonder?"
ITO Judge by the gushiness of the
press-he is" was the half-disgusted
reply.
You know him well. of course?" she
queried, fencing for time.
"Oh, after a fashion, Do your" He
gave her quick. keen look
Only In this legendary sort of way"
and she indicated the pile of clippings
on her desk, her eyes travelling CON-
prehensively from one wall to another
where were displayed the more or less
ludicrous prints. 81 suppose he's per.
feet IDOL of the girls. isn't hep
Chalmers grunted Il happen TO
know that he doesn't care a fig for
but one in the woodland she won't
look at him"
"Oh." exclaimed Sylvia. what a
stupid she must be-"
Chalmers rose and paced the length
of the room. then back again. He
stopped in front of Sylvia's chair; his
voice had changed when he spoke.
rs it possible, Sylvia, that this fel.
low has supplanted me in your estima.
tion-has taken the old. dear-place
-"
Sylvia laughed constrainedly. 81
you see," she said, 81 had to have
something to keep up my interest
somebody. Tits sort of fad. you
know
But If he should come here today
and ask you to be his wife. would you
listen to him.
1-suppose-I-should." was the
very subdued response.
Chalmers bit his lip. Suddenly he
sat down on the arm of her chair and
deliberately drew her head against him
Listen, DEAR" he began excitedly. "a
want to tell you a few things about
Brown. He had serious accident last
year during one of the big games. and
his people didn't want him to play
football any more. He didn't make any
rasn promises, but rather than have
them worry. he took an assumed
name"
Sylvia looked up tentatively, her eyes
now wistful, now dancing-red lips
parted
DO you think he did wrong In this? p
Sylvia shook her head. her black
Iashes shadowing the pink rim of heI
cheek.
Sweetheart, IL am Brown"
Obi"
He caught her close to his heart
morrow, dear, or will it require &
VIII you cross the ocean with ME to
longer time to get accustomed t.
Browns IDENTIFY"
Il knew IL all along" she whispered
II haven't missed a game. And-and-
Billy, please let me talk, II thinl
it would be something of distinction
really. to be pointed out as Mrs
Brown"