The Red Cloud chief., 1911-10-19

ph0ne.
"Yesf" she asked expectantly.
Dear" said her lovers voice. I'm
sorry that cannot come tonight
May ] come tomorrow evening In.
stead?"
"why not this EVENING"" pouted
Helena.
"Oh. because!" he cried gayly. "1rl
tell you another time. It's q secret
Just now"
Jack! Very Welcome tomor.
row evening II you have nothing bet.
ter to do." and decidedly out Of tenn.
per Helena hung up the receiver, cut.
ting of Jack Henshaw's words with
clicking abruptness.
Up in her own pretty room Helena
locked the door and sank into a big
chair beside the window. II was bad
enough that Jack should have set
aside her special invitation for that
evening-it was her birthday and he
did not know 1t. Her mother had
asked Bridget to make q birthday
cake, and II was to be brought in dur.
ing the evening decorated with spun
sugar and candles.
Helena's married sister. Dorcas
Wade. and Frank Wade. her husband,
were coming over and Frank had
promised to bring his cello. Jack
Henshaw's violin occupied per.
manent place now on Helena's piano
and she had planned an impromptu
concert. This was all to be sur.
prise to Jack.
Now Jack had spoiled II all by
begging of from the invitation.
Helena felt positive that he was 60
ing of somewhere with that horrid
Ned Speedle, who had little place
down on Long Island where he main.
tAined kennels Of which he might
well be proud. for they bore a ma.
owned a low. vicious-looking gray
racing automobile in which he was
won't to tear around the countryside.
Helena Brooke was positive that
Jack was going OF on some mad ride
with Ned Speedle. Why he should
do this she could not understand. be-
cause Speedle was not at all to Jacks
taste; but he had spoken Of the wild
motorist several times lately and had
expressed q desire to visit the ken
nels at Dogwood.
The birthday evening was not en-
tirely q successful occasion. although
Helena herself was bright and gay
Dorcas and Frank came and played
and sang. but Helena sat mutely
thoughtful while the music drifted
through the rooms.
Bridget's entrance with the cake
was q welcome intrusion. and aftel
they had eaten Of the cake. the
Wades went home. and Helena wal
free to seek her chamber and weeT
into her pillow.
II was not 50 much his not being
there. she told herself. It was the fact
he had deliberately put another
pleasure before the delight Of being
with her.
The next day she nourished bittel
resentment toward Jack Henshav
until she believed that his indifier
ences had killed her love.
Late in the afternoon she rum
mayed through her writing desk and
gathered all Of Jack Henshaw's pre-
cious letters into pocket. One let
ter she kept out-that. in spite Of bel
Jealous anger, she decided to keep;
she could burn It after one more
perusal. Its tender words woult
then reveal anew to her the perfld!
of man-and emphasize the fortunate
escape she had had from q man whit
preferred the dubious company o
Ned speedle to that Of the girl h'
was engaged to!
So Helena tied the letters In ,
fresh sheet Of pink tissue paper. tie'
the square package with q bit o
pink ribbon. and tucked the letter.
away in drawer in her desk read!
to give to Jack Henshaw when b.
should come that night She had a
ready written Q brief note to hin
telling him to bring her letters witt
him when he came.
Jack Henshaw obeyed her behes
to come at eight o'clock. and his frank
handsome face was puzzled when hi
eyes met the coolness in hers.
what 10 the matter. Nell?" b
asked bluntly.
Helena tried to be calm. but he
voice shook when she spoke.
asked you to come last night-yo
preferred to enjoy the company Of
"How did you know thati" d.
manded Jack.
II knew" returned Helena wit
more assurance. II wanted you I
come last night because It was m
birthday and ! wanted you" Oh
was obliged to stop or betray he
weakness.
"Your birthday was yesterday? ?
he stammered. "Why-I thought
! was today--and i"
. Helena was not listening to hin
She was bracing herself to meet
. tragic moment. "Jack-Mr. Hel
shawl am sure We have made
great mistake. I know have, an
am sure that shall never be happ