American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1911-12-28

abroad" Connie faltered, all her dim
pies flashing and playing bewiider.
iingly.
yes, my friends believe l went
with the McAlisters In June. But
| stole away all by myself to study up
| for the book I'm writing on Forestry.
rye put In six weeks Of solid work"
A look passed between the two that
made Mrs. Van Brunt writhe. Wa
all her plotting and wire-pulling to
como to naught? She had counted
on definitely settling her niece's fu-
ture within twentyfour hours. Now
the one man who could spoil her lit
tie gam had Unexpectedly crossed
their path.
Il heal the warning whistle" she
exclaimed. I'VE must hasten back"
Duncan Vance walked down to the
train with them. He and Connie
chatted in accents of suppressed ex-
element. but Mrs. Van Brunt kept
close at their heels. She hurried
Connie into the coach, but the young
man stood It the window until the
train began to owe
Il shall see you again soon." no
called after them.
mot II l can help IT." Mrs. Van
Brunt calculated to herself.
Some hours later Connie stood on
the broad veranda at Stormclif. The
sun had gone down behind Stratton
mountain. All the lesser heights. the
f1r-crowned slopes, were wrapped IN
a wonderful opal base.
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 a 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. l imagine; but
Jack ought to get the lions share of
the money. II you let him slip
through your fingers because of any
foolishness, you'll get no more help
from me-"
1t was not Jacks face that danced
before the girls yes as she arrayed
herself In the grudgingly-given 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 Stormclin. He
had taken an almost paternal- Interest
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 a case of bar
ter and sale a
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 1t had been said
all uncertainty was over forever
Jack had rushed away. swapping at her
angry words.
And nov she must face her aunt's
| bitter u~pbraidings. She knew the
| price she would have to pay-pool
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 az
she re-entered the house, and drew
her into the big drawing room. into
the brilliant gaslight.
so you have refused Jock?" There
was an amused CLEAN in his shrewd
gray eyes as they searched her face.
Why? Don't be afraid-tell me, my
dear. Why did you do it,"
Down went her head upon his shoul.
der. Il found--I couldn't-sell my
SELF" she faltered.
| Colonel Calvert stroked her rum,
pied hair tenderly. That's where
you showed good sense. Now, | won,
der II there isn't somebody else who
has a better show than poor Jack?"
Connie started back. pale and trem,
bling. The sudden fear was unbound.
ed. He gave a low whistle, evidently
a signal. A man in a long motor coat
came swiftly down the hallway.
MY ~favorite nephew, Duncan
Vance," Colonel Calvert said, with
twinkling eyes. Il wanted to be sure
you were worthy OF him, my dear; SC
I let Jack have the first chance. But