The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-20
Her GOOD SENSE

for the book I'm writing on forestry.
I've put in six weeks of solid work.
A look passed between the two that
made Mrs Van Brunt writhe. Was
all her plotting and wire pulling TO
come 10 naught? She had counted
on definitely settling her nieee's fa-
ture within twenty-four hours. Nov
the one man who could spoil her lit
tie game had Unexpectedly crossed
their path.
Il hear the warning whistle she
exclaimed. We must hasten back
Duncan Vance walked down to the
train with them. He and Connie
chatred in accents OF suppressed oxs
element. but Mrs. Van Rrunt kept !
close at their heels. She hurried
Connie into the coach. but the young
man stood al the window until the
train began 10 move.
Some hours later Connie stood On
the broad veranda at storm CHI. The
sun had gone down behind Stratten
Mountain. All the lesser heights.
the flr-crowned slopes. We're wrapped
in wonderful opal haze
Several things had happened since
their arrival. Colonel Calvert. their
host. n 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 Brnnt
had unearthed from her trunk very
lovely gown. her latest purchase for
her niece.
''of course this il no mere pleasure
|. trip" WAS her coid-hiooded declara-
ton Make the most OF your oppor-
tunity. my dear You will never have
such another. There's another me-
phew. "A graceiess scamp, ] imagine:
but Jack ought to get the lions
share OF the money. IL you let him
slip through your fingers because OF
any fooiishness. you'll get no more
help from me.
Nervous sohs were very near The
surface as she stood there and
watched the sun go down. Her fate
was in her own hands. She liked
luxury and hated poverty. II was
perfectly clear why this invitation to
the Calvert summer home had been
extended. Cold. common sense ADJ
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
| firm. quick step crossed the ve-
randa She saw Jack coming. and
her heart leaped into her throat
What should she say to him.
| Ten minutes later il had been said
ali uncertainty was over forever.
Jack had rushed away. swapping ae
her angry words.
And now she must face her aunt's
bitter upblplidings. She knew the
| price she would have to pay--poof
I clothes, plain \ ffving, Y ssncosfGcn
tasks but her heart sang within her.
! Mrs. Van Brunt would call her =
| continental fool. but she felt thai
she had done the wise and sensible
thing.
/ Slowly the last CLEAN OF daylight
faded; stars flashed into the daFken.
| ing sky Colonel Calvert met her ~
she re- entered the house. and drew
her into the big drawing room, into
| the brilliant gaslight
$50 you have refused Jack ~ There
/ was an amused CLEAN In his snrewd
gray eyes as they searched her race.
/ why? Don't be afraid--teil me- NIX
/ dear. why did you do IT..
Down went her head upon Ms
shoulder II found--I couldn't--seli
myself" che faltered.
! Colonel Calvert stroked her rum.
! pied hair tenderly. That's vher4
you showed good sense. Now. ! won-l
der II there isn't somebody else who
has a better show than poor Jack.
/ Connie started back. pale and trems
1 hing. The sudden fear was unbound.
led, He gave a low whistle. evidently
a signal. A man In long motor
coat came swiftly down the hallway.
my favorite nephew. Duncan
vance,. Colonel Calvert said. with
| tvinkling eyes, VI wanted 10 10
sure you were worthy OF him. my
dear: 20 let. Jack have the first
chance But knew you'd stand the
test all right. y