The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1910-05-12
A SAINT AND TWO SINGERS

handsome face whose impressive eX-
preston appealed to her as WELL bred
and provocative. There was q slum-
bering fire in the eyes, and she let
her hand fall on the arm of her chair,
so near to Anothony Valentines that
their fingers almost touched
Tony" said Mrs. Reneer softly,
"do you know you could make this
one of the luckiest days [ have ever
had if you chose?
II have the rottenest luck in the
world" he said. THE best thing
can do for anyone is to go away
from them"
Her hand stole closer to his and
lightly pressed it.
Il should miss you dreadfully," she
said. Il want you to tell me what
has been bOthering you lately
Il can't do that" he answered
briefly, but he imprisoned her fingers
in his.
Then l M going to guess. You are
in tight corner, and if you don't see
a way out of it. If you had say,
$500, would things be easier for you?"
Il daresay,' he admitted, but you
might as we'll suggest 5000. One is
as difficult to get as the other
-
nothing. One could borrow it from a
friend without the smallest sense of
obligation. Surprising you had it
now, this moment, what would you do
tomorrow"
Clear my way he said; chuck
all this stupid game and go abroad"
Her eyes flashed. "AlOne?" she
asked
NO; not alone-if 1 could help it."
Her lips, full and fresh and muffin
Ous smiled. well, Tony, L was
thinking of little trip myself. Per-
haps we shall meet"
Il don't mean trip" he answered.
II shall get hold of some work and
sink myself till L pull things straight"
But if things were pulled
straight" she persisted.
They can't be-" he rejoined, and
added as he rose, Shall I take you
back? There's another dance start
ing
lone minute" She rose. too, and
faced him while she slipped her hand
under his arm I've written some
thing for you. I'm going to post it
tonight It's little bit of-well, of
Use not to tear it up or send it back?"
COZ course" he answered. Should
| be likely to treat anything of yours
nance, Millie.''
Just as he left her She added, by
the way your wife has asked me to
tea on Friday. Is it a party?"
II shouldn't think So" he answered.
I'VE are not giving parties just now"
Perhaps it's just to have a chat
about old schooldays together Any
how, I'll come" she concluded lightly.
1t was the following morning that
Mrs. Valentine, opening her letters at
breakfast sat transfxed with aston
ishment gazing at a check and a note
lying on the table before her.
"a valentine to a. Valentine" the
heading ran, and below was written:
You told me that only money stood
between you and happiness. Take
then your happiness and make it mu-
tual."
The check was for $500, signed
"Millicent Reneer," and made payable
to A. Valentine or bearer.
In her excitement Ada Valentine
sprng to her feet and began walking
up and down the room, talking in
quick, agitated sentences to herself
Five hundred pounds she repeat
&C in a whisper. Il could pay every
single thing, all Tony's debts, and get
him to come away into the country or
abroad somewhere and start fresh.
He would be his old self again, 1 know
changed him So"
Then a sudden resolution seized her.
"I'll go to Millicent," she thought,
land see what she says. Tony would
forbid me to take it, but if he doesn't
know until it's all settled" and she
ran away to get her hat and coat.
AT this very moment Tony was in
Mrs. Reneer'S bOudOir, where he had
insisted on an interview at 1890, and
Mrs. Reneer was standing. the picture
Of angry despair, in the center Of the
room
"Oh, you fool, Tony' she was say
ing. why didn't you guess? Why
didn't you get hold of the other letter
before Ada opened it?''
II couldn't" he said. Her letters
had been taken in to her. and she had
gone down to breakfast before /
opened this.
He held out the missive which had
been enclosed in the envelope ad-
dressed, "a. Valentine, Esq"
Millicent snatched it from him and
read it out with Infatuated emphasis,
My dear Ada-F'riday next at by
all means unless l have to leave town
this week, which is possible. Yours
ever, Millicent Reneer.'
Il wrote the letters together" she
went on, 'in the small hours this
morning. And L could have sworn I
put them into their proper envelopes
Let me think now. What can we
do?"
There was ring at the bell at
this moment and steps approached
the boudOir
"Supposing it's Ada!" exclaimed
Mrs. Reneer with sudden intuition.
For heavens sake go, Tony!"
Can Mrs. Valentine see you, please
ma am ?''' asked the footman.
Certainly. Show her up here"
And the next moment she had
turned with her usual self possession
to greet the eager figure advancing
from the door
"Millicent!" exclaimed Mrs. Valen-
tine, chow could you'll"
II hope you're not going to be ride
ulous and make a fuss about moth
ing" she remarked coldly.
''Nothingr' echoed Mrs. Valentine
Give hundred pounds nothing! You
couldn't expect me to take it without
a word, Millie.'.
Then Millicent, with a flash of in
tuition that she took immense credit
for to herself, grasped the situation.
II simply loathe being thanked"
she said 81 always did at school
For goodness sake drop the subject
and never refer to it again, Ada
"But it's such a tremendous pres
ent," she gasped. "And-and I don't
know what Tony will say. Perhaps
he won t.
Mrs. Reneer cut her short with an
impatient gesture.
'Tony is never to know" she said.
Then he can't say anything
But what can / tell him? I want
TO pay up ali his-all our-debts with
II and of course he'll wonder where