The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-07

him.. beg9ed her chum Edith.
"Tcm Norton" replied Dorothy
Givtng the first name tnst popped
into her head.
IL he handsoms!" asked another.
"Why--er-T suppose most people
wouldn't consider him 20: but he's
big ana broad ~shouidered with a
brAesy western manner"
| Before night II was known thrcugh-
out the village Of Dunton that Dor
othy Bowers was engaged to west
ern man named Tom Morton.
| The Aforementioned old uncle with
whom she lived heard the news IN
daxed surprise. But when other MON
would have made searching fUQittrlea
| concerning hts niece's tiance. Uncle
Emmett breathed siKh OF REFLEX that
the courtship had been carried on
elsewhere 20 that II In no way inter-
fered with the even tenor Of his life:
then he signed a generous check Tor
| her trousseau and returned to his
beloved books. Dorothy sewed with
the other engaged girls on wedding
| nnery. and when questioned about the
data for her Wedding. replied:
September 18th"
II must have been mad" the Eiri
declared. Il shall have 20 end the
| affair some way--it has gone much
too far. But how can do It? On
why did let things drift 20 longl"
she repeated.
Il must conjure up some new story
about tho engagement being broken.
! or his sudden death or--somethlng!'
Strangely enough. the thought OF
having her fictitious lover die brousht
q curious pang. The years OF her
love-starved girlhood rose before her
and she laid her head on the window
| al1i And gAhhaA In n hQ1nIa0Q heart.
| broken way.
! I've never had a chance like other
| girls who have mothers. Mvinx
alone with uncle has made me shy
and reserved and--different: People
here have always called me queer.
and I've never had an opportunity to
meet others" She included her visit
Dolly lived tho life Of an isolated
nat dweller. and beyond half a dozen
women In the same building, Doro-
thy had met no one on her visit.
| Tho frequent letters from her aunt.
addressed in rather masculine hand,
had been interpreted by the friendly
Dunton postmaster as coming from
| him.
| Dorothy flushed as she recalled the
letters she had written In reply let
ters In which she poured out the
dream-love and fancies of her inne-
cent girl-heart. and addressed--not to
Aunt Dolly. but to r. NJ. Morton, Gen
eral Delivery, Chicago.
4 II dare say the dead-letter office IL
/ flooded with them by now she
thought, ruefully.
/ Next morning at the breakfast table
Dorothy appeared pale but resolute.
She was determined that. cost what
II may. Tom must die. That would
Il be the easlest way out OF 1t all. IL
Il she attempted to invent broken en-
II gagement It would necessitate endless
sxpla nations: but in this way she
would be surrounded with q halo OF
sentiment as heroine OF efgntso
1 romance. She felt that she could
carry of the situation unless Aunt
Dolly came to visit her.
H She knows ! didn't meet single
man when l was visiting her. and II
l she comes I shall have to make q
clean breast Of 1t and throw myself
L on her mercy. She would enjoy help
ing me along II she sees the hunior
secret, for she always sees the humor
Of the case"
She had decided that the next let
ter would be made to contain the
fatal tidinga. Usually she heard from
her aunt on Tuesdays, so letter
would probably come on the noon
train.
y shall soon be maiden all for
lorn." she was thinking when her
uncle broke In upon her revery.
II should think, Dorothy" he be-
gan, peering at her from over his
| vold-rimmed glasses, that 1t would
| be fitting II your--er~--ah---fiance
| Visited us before your wedding.
4 suppose / should get acquainted with
the young chap before he comes into
the family" He h..aved sigh as he
1 Ia 81 hnakS that vera
| stiH unread. Yes. X Is clearly my
J duty. Is he fond of outdoor sports?"
Incle Emmett had visions of trailing
d.smally in the wake OF an enthusias-
} | Tic golfer
, .r-wiil see If he can come" she
answered. but do not think he VIII
! trouble you with athletics. "hh
that he was content.
However, 1t was not so easy TO
: satisfy Mrs. Tompkins, their old
; housekeeper. who had overheard the
question and answer.
Seems to me your young man
would be comm OF his own accord
J before the weddin day she re-
marked later with the familiarity oi
an old servant.
! "He has been very busy. expect
n letter to-day" evaded Dorothy
J Mrs. Tomkins shifted. I'm my
day Young men were more keen.
} They always managed to see their
sweethearts pretty often. business or
> no business"
, II must dress and so down for the
mail" said Dorothy.
.. ~ feel almost az II 1t were true
she thought, as she fastened 7ar
, linen dress with shaking fingers.
Then the full force of the case rushe
over her. oh. I'm so tired OF
subterfuges and lies--lies---yes, that
. Is what they have been. !. who have
! always prided myself on my truth
:. srarsss.r. began tt al tn fnIt. never
dreaming It would 70 so far! can.t
> explain now without making myself
a laughing stock Oh. II 1t were true
: and was going to be happy like
other women-
; She was descending tho stairs when
! 4 knock sounded at the front door.
: On opening Il she found . tall. keen
> eyed young man standing on the
porch.
} rs this Miss Dorothy Bowers7" he
asked. AZ no took or his broad
brlmn,ed straw hat. =.
| i Uonderinxiy she ae0ented.