The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-03-10

would be difficult 10 resist. She
wished with all her heart that the
wretched wife were not in the way.
Otherwise, surely Vernon could new
er find a better husband. He was
evidently in the full vigor of perfect
health. The disparity of years mat
tered but little.
If Vernon's ideas were true-that
Jem was jealous of herself, and un-
happy about Selma-it would be an
excellent thing to have her niece
married and settled down somewhere
near. Mrs Bardsley had the usual
feminine realization that marriages
need never part mother and daugh-
ter, though it inevitably parts moth
er and son. Vernon married-Vernon
with babies-would be an unfailins
fount of pleasure and occupation for
her declining years.
She went in search of the maiden
to tell her that her lover awaited
her, and the very manner in which
she conveyed the message showed
Vernon that she was already more
than half Lionel's ally. If she should
be entirely converted-,what a for
midable reinforcement for him. For
the first time the girl felt her cour-
age sink. She wished that she had
not consented to see MIN, But Faith
er Conroy had been Of opinion that
this was right.
Slowly she came out of her bed
room, and very slowly moved along
the landing to the stairhead. The
cuckoo clock sang out midday as
She stood there hesitating. The house
was very quiet. Then came a sound
which sent her heart to her mouth;
though why this should have been
so is hard to say. The door of Jem' 5
room closed sharply His step sound
ed along the passage He came out
upon the landing and saw her stand
ing there.
He was not dressed in his every
day riding -breeches and CATERS, but
in the suit he usually wore on Sun
days, and held a STRAW hat with a
college ribbon upon it in his hand,
instead of his usual soft felt or Pan
anna. This was so unwonted a sight
at that hour of the day that sur
prise sent Vernon's nervousness in
to the background. "Oh, where are
you going?" she asked awkwardly.
ITO London" returned Jem, his
eyes upon the hat in his hand. He
waited, as il for her to 20 down
the stairs.
ITO London?" she echoed stupid
ly, with no idea why she said it.
Yes only for day or two. Bus
mess for the farm, he answered.
"Oh," said Vernon, Il wish | was
coming too"
! He drew himself up very stiff, ant
stood stock still, watching her hant
move aimlessly to and fro upon the
wide, dark, polished rail.
You have a visitor" he said.
"Yes: that is what | mean she
returned. 81 wish it was over
He gave little start, as though
deeply surprised. 'Do you mean tina
you don't intend
The lively feeling in his tones ar
rested Vernon. He mast have hope'
that this was way out-that Glad
wyn's arrival meant that she intend
ed to accept him and go, and leav'
the coast clear
"Oh, no. she said hurryingly; 20
course | don't mean that onl,
mean-oh, don't know what
mean. Goodbye, | hope you vii
have a Jolly time in town"
She turned and began to descend
Jem moved forward suddenly,
Miss Wilmot!"
She turned, her eyes alight wit
anger at that. 1t hurt her NOR
than she could at all account fol
I'm not Miss Wilmot!" she replied
with heat.
Eyes you are said Jem, "thoug
| suppose you won't be much longer
She flashed out a laugh, whicl
o. Intentionally or not, had a defiar
ring about it. "Ill do my best,
: promise you" she said. jesting bi
terly. who knows what the new
may be when you come back?'
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