Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-05

A look passed between the TWO INA
made Mrs. Van Brunt writhe. Was
all her plotting and wire-pulling tc
come TO naught? She had counted
on definitely settling her niece's fu
ture within twenty-four hours. Now
the one man who could spoil her lit
file game had Unexpectedly crossed
! their path. :,
.F hear the warning whistle she
exclaimed. "We must hasten back
Duncan Vance walked down to the
train with them. He and Connie
chatted in accents of suppressed ex-
citement, but Mrs. Van Brunt kept
close at their heels. She hurried
Connie into the coach, but the young
man stood at the window until the
trai1 began to move.
Il shall see you again soon," he
called after them. {
Y mot if I can help it," Mrs. Van
Brunt calculated to herself.
Some hours later Connie stood on
the broad yeranda at Stormcliff. The
sun had gone down behind Stratton
mountain. All the lesser heights, the
fir-crowned slopes, were wrapped in
a wonderful opal haze.
Several things had happened since
their arrival. Colonel Calvert, their
host, a railroad president, with no
immediate family OF his own, had
shown them over the beautiful house
Then Jack, his handsome nephew, had
escorted Connie through the
grounds. Afterward Mrs. Van Brunt
had unearthed from her trunk very
lovely gown, her latest purchase for
her niece.
"Of course this is no mere pleasure
trip" was her cold-blooded declara'
ton. Make the most of your oppor.
tunity, my dear. You will never have
such another. There's another neph'
ew, a graceless scamp, imagine; but
Jack ought to get the lions share OF
the money. If you let him slip
through your fingers because OF any
foolishness, you'll get no more help
from me-"
It was not Jacks face that danced
before the girls eyes as she arrayed
herself in the grudgingly-giren finery
Indeed, had she not become very fond
of Colonel Calvert, whose acquaint-
ance he had made in New York the
previous winter, she would never have
consented to come to StormcliT. He
had taken an almost paternal interes!
in her from the first.
Nervous sobs were very near the
surface as she stood there and watch
ed the sun go down. Her fate was
in her own hands. She liked lux
ury and hated poverty. 1t was per-
fectly clear why this invitation to
the Calvert summer home had been
extended. Cold, common sense ad-
monished her to accept thankfully
what the gods had provided. But
she didn't love Jack-she never could
love him! 1t would be case OF bar
ter and sale
A firm, quick step crossed the YER
anda. She saw Jack coming and her
heart leaped into her throat. What
should she say to him?
Ten minutes later it had been said
all uncertainty was over forever
Jack had rushed away, swapping at hel
angry words.
And now she must face her aunt's
bitter upbraidings. She knew the
price she would have to pay-pooI
clothes, plain living, uncongenial
tasks; but her heart sang within her
Mrs. Van Brunt would call her a SEN
timental FOOL but she felt that she
had done the wise and sensible thing
Slowly the last CLEAN Of daylight
faded: stars flashed into the darken
ing sky. Colonel Calvert met her as
she re-cntered the house, and drew
her into the big drawing room, into
the brilliant gaslight.
$50 you have refused Jock??" There
was an amused CLEAN in his. shrewd
gray eyes as they searched her face
why? Don't be afrad-tell me, my
dear. Why did you do it?"
Down went her head upon his shout
der. Il found-I couldn't-soll my
SELF" she faltered.
Colonel Calvert strokcd her rum
pied hair tendcrH. That's where
you showed good sense. Now, won
der if there isn't somebody else who
has a better show than poor jack"
Connie started back, pale ard trem
bling. The sudden fear was unbound
ed. He gave low whistle, evidentl!
a signal. 4 man in long motor Goa
came swiftly down the hallway.
"My favorite nephew, Dunca,
Vance," Colonel Calvert said, witt
twinkling eyes. ~ wanted to be SURE
you were worthy OF him, my dear; Sc
l let Jack have the first chance. Ru
l knew you'd stand the test all right.