Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1911-10-14

everybody present she sank back into
her chair with feeling of disappoint-
ment.
why. he isn't here" she thought.
VI couldn't even pretend he was that
silly young man that makes jokes;
besides he and the pale little girl
seem quite taken with each other.
| Obi"
Eliza started. Opposite her was
vacant chair. A serious looking, tall
young man, with keen gray eyes was
just taking his place there, and Mrs.
Benson Brown was saying:
"Oh. Miss Morgan, this Is Mr.. Will
bur-"
How do you do Miss Morgan" said
the man. his face lighting with a smile
OF friendliness. Sorry I'm late, Mrs.
Brown"
Eliza breathed more easily, and the
next day she mentioned "a very pleas.
ant young man-about thirty-five
should say-whose name is Wilbur"
In her letter to her aunt, and few
days later she wrote to Molly Dobson
Of walk In the park she had had with
Mr.. Wilbur. "the incest man you ever
saw"
The weeks passed quickly with
Eliza. Each other she wrote home
contained some reference to Mr.. Will
bur. Once he had brought her
book-she had given him the money
for it and had asked him to get it,
but she did not mention these facts;
again he had brought flowers, and she
shuddered when she wrote this down,
for 1t was true. There were brief
references to real conversations be-
tween the two, and long accounts Of
imaginary talks and excursions to-
gether. Finally, at the end Of three
months, Eliza's friends in Dayville re-
ceived word that she and Mr.. Wilbur
were engaged.
There are still three months to
break 1t in" thought Eliza
1t was three or four days after Eliza
had announced her engagement. She
had come down stairs to look for let
tiers on the hall table, and sat in Mrs.
Browns dimly lighted parlor reading
them. There were half a dozen-all
letters Of good wishes and congratu-
lations. Il know you'll be happy; it's
lovely to be engaged" wrote Molly
Dobson. Eliza trembled guiltily as she
read them. She left her uncle's until
last, but finally she tore it open.
"lf you are sure he is the right man,
dear child, | am glad. But don't make
a mistake; you seem so far away from
everything and everyone that you are
used to and know. Don't do anything
you will regret later"
Eliza buried her head in one Of Mrs.
Browns sofa cushions with a sob.
Don't Go anything III regret" she
repeated. "Oh, how wicked, wicked
I've been" Then, suddenly Eliza
realized that what she was crying for
was that she and Mr.. Wilbur were
really not engaged.
Eliza heard footstep by her side
and looked up into the grave eyes Of
Mr.. Wilbur.
why, you poor little girl" he said
gently, kneeling down and putting his
arms about her.
Don't cry Eliza, pulling herself
free. "Oh. you mustn't" and she
rushed past him into the hall and up
to her room. Once there she locked
the door and set to work to write a
confession.
Il must tell YOU" she wrote, cal
though you will hate me when you
know. l can't explain why, but l
wanted the folks at home to think
me engaged-to you. l never thought
it mattered until found that l cared
and that you do, too. don't ask
you to pardon me; and as l shall new
er have to know how much you de-
spise me for It. l am going home to
tell them that my engagement Is bro.
KEN"
The next day Eliza, pale and tired |
arrived Unexpectedly at the station at
Dayville.
Hello. Miss Morgan" said the sta
ton man, as he helped her with her |
bags-he was baggage master, porter.
telegraph operator and ticket agent |
all in one-"I certainly am glad to see |
you. A queer message come over the |
wire for you. Just going to send 1t
over to your aunt"
Eliza took the yellow telegram and
read: Don't tell anyone 1t is broken.
Am coming on the next train to help
you mend It,"
Anything valuable that's broken?"
querried the man curiously.
Eliza flushed and smiled. ITS the
most valuable thing ever had" she
said slowly. But the cracks will new
err show after it's mended."
RIsked Life for Comrades.