The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-08-29

Shaking Janet's hand. he laughingly
| thanked her.
You're great. What would your
terms be by the year,"
Myrtle had started toward the house,
but Janet detained her by gesture.
"Oh, Ralph" she remarked in confu-
sion, but added to janet You're right.
l am lucky girl-and happy one
too"
Janet. entering into the spirit Of the
occasion, serious in tone and solemn In
voice, but with n twinkle in her eye
and with the mannerisms of n lawyer
court. began:
Behold the model young man. only
son and heir of the famous DIR. Wood
hurst! Brought up by his father In the
way he should go. He has no bad
habits. He neither smokes, drinks nor
CANDLES. If he has any faults what
soever''-
THAT will do. Janet. I'm no better
than any other fellow"
do you smoke?
| NO"
| do you drink!
| NO"
do you gambler"
No, Of course not.
"Then my point is proved. Behold
the model young man..
"Please don't, Janet. IL don't like it."
Under this cross examination Ralph
had become extremely nervous. al
though he concealed his feelings from
his tiancee. Other boys In the neigh
| bOrhood attended the races and made
small wagers, at first among them
selves and later with the bookmakers.
Living near the track. meeting the
visitors, knowing many of the en-
| ployees almost from boyhood, 1t be-
came very easy for him to overcome
any conscientious scruples which his
| father might have inculcated In his
mind. Like all boys who seek to con-
ceal petty bad habits. he had fallen in
with some of the worst patrons Of the
racing game. Had he been allowed to
attend the races openly or even to go
into the betting ring he would have
chosen friends Of his own sort: but,
forced by circumstances to conceal his
actions, he could only associate with
those whom his natural companions
could not meet.
Myrtle. however, saved him from fur
ther annoyance or regret by changing
the subject to her sister. AS she re
sumed her seat on the bench she said
to Janet:
n hof I Il oil To, hor'
How good she has been to me,"
Janet stepped to Myrtle's side and
patting her on the cheek. said, II think
Henrietta Darlington is about the best
sister in the world"
Myrtle pressed Janet's hand and
spoke with loving emphasis:
II know she is. | was quite little
girl when father died. and she took
me to live with her. She has cared for
me ever since. TIL the death Of her
husband, about year ago. had
everything that heart could wish for
I've had it since then, too. but at
times I've thought that Henrietta de-
privcd herself to give to me-
II hardly think that. dear. Mrs Bar
rington has been just splendid to you
we all know that-but her husband
was quite II wealthy man and must
have left her well provided for" re-
piled Ralph.
The thought of her sisters sacrifice
for her sobered Myrtle for a moment
The cloud passed away when Ralph
reasSured her.
Every one says the same thing. so
l suppose l have just imagined it."
She smiled Mt Ralph as she spoke He
patted her hand and said. "Of course
you have
The blatant blare of an automobile
horn disturbed the charm and peace
of the afternoon. Sweeping past the
house. it disappeared around the bend
of the road in q whirl OF dust.
Janet followed it with her eyes until
it was lost to view. Turning to Myrtle.
she said:
There goes another of those beastly
automobiles. Beastly things. call
them"
Ralph remarked carelessly. "Proba-
bly, taking some owner down to the
track
through the trees one could catch a
glimpse of the red roof of the club
house. Faint echoes of the band could
be heard in the afternoons during the
season.
There was Il slight pause in the con
rersation. Each was thinking OF the
track and the invaders it brought to
the neighborhood of the harrington
home. Myrtle broke the silence. Speak
Ing with touch of bitterness, she de-
cared:
II Just hate that track"
Janet waS rather surprised at the
feeling displayed by Myrtle aud asked
her why she felt SO strongly