The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-28
nd dior
n Bd
THE GIRL FROM HOME


Of loss, that she took this chance
meeting lightly--too lightly for ole
who had ever cared. He had more
than half imagined that this girl was
waiting for him to come back and
marry her.
you are stopping in the city"
There was half-resentfui touch to
the words.
20 my. yes. l have been here al
most q year.
Living hereY''
Didn't you know? Papa has out
grown Cola. tie Ia now the partner
OF Uncle William in small tile
mandatory In Haverstraw. We live
In the city"
His eyes appreciatively summed up
the fashionable coat. the expensive
furs, the modish hat. Truly, she vas
q changed Faith.
II am glad to hear that you have
prospered.'
The girl laughed.
hear you are one Of the little
gods Of Wall street" she quizzed.
Was" he corrected simply
A sudden look Of concern crept into
the eyes of the girl. This money
panic liz hurting you, them
Il q MUST struggling along With
my head above wafer. 1t will be a
| miracle II l don't go under before
the week is over" He raised his eyes
to those of the girl and noted with a
peculiar feeling of loss that his con-
fession had not even seemed to hold
fer insei est She was looking be-
| yond him, the slight smile still curv-
ing her lips.
Your financee?" she asked softly
/ Docs she know of this P"
Mason stared. The girl from home
knew. much about him for one who
seemed little interested. Then sud-
/ denly he remembered that the papers
had been fun OF his approaching nup-
tials, and that Faith had been long
| in the city.
| Miss Wendall is not interested in
/ business" observed Mason.
| In his heart, however. he knew
that chances would be extremely slim
for winning the .millionaire's daugh-
ter Ii his own fortunes waned.
| Il just wondered" came from the
girl.
| She did not explain 70 him that
Margaret Wendali. whom she knew
by sight. had passed just behind him
And within sound OF his voice lust AS
he was confessing doubt In his ability
20 weather the financial storm.
Respectfully. Mason extended his
/ hand The soft touch of her fingers
in his sent the hot blood pounding
into his heart.
/ Il must leave you now he said.
Then hoarsely: "May-nay l not call
on you~--later?'
now stranE ely pale. and a new-light
had come into her eyes--something
akin to the light In the eyes Of the
+ old Faith Il do not care To see you
again. VIII. unless she loosened
her hands and stepped back from
him.
! Unless" Mason caught up the
word eagerly. He felt that he would
promise anythsng -everything, The
spell OF his old love--tha love Iffht
he had never quite cuiled from his
heart was upon him.
Unless you need me When YOU
do come To mc--and not before. My
address is ---~ Fortyninth street"
Because of this. possibly, he took
! the bad news that awaited him al his
office hravely,
He's certainly a game one NUT
tered the clerk upon whom the task
of breaking the news had devolyed.
why. he's busted 10 the iast dollar,
and he actually smiled"
Extras were on the street announc-
; ing his financial collapse before he
left the ofiice--and still Mason
smiled. He smiled when he strobe
+! up the broad streps leading to the
house of his fianeee, nor did the note
awaiting him there--saying, Oh
may consider our engagement at an
end"--dsconcert him one whit.
Tomorrow l shall gee Faith.
came from William Mason, bank
rupt. II wonder II she will give me
the gift shall ask OF herr
| He spoke of the love that he had
abandoned, and. repenting, was TO
ask of her again.