Charlevoix county herald., 1912-03-23


Nathalie had expected that ler
brother would go at once TO the store
whore he had made his unusual pur-
chase, and, having returned the bag,
make another selection in nonor OF
the day. FOrgetful Of natal days AND
promised fayors, however Bruce
Bowie waited until he had finished
his work at the Office, and then made
his way 10 q certain address CORE
spending with the one written on the
letter in the hang,bag.
Alss rita Carlton was ut home, he
learned, and the elevator speedily
brought iim TO the door OF her apart
ment With no little trepidatlon, ho
found himself ushered into tiny re-
ception room, all green anc gold, witt
a great cluster OF crimson roses glow
Ing on the center table, and dian lights
twinkling from the shaded scCnces. &
swishing oC soft si!ken skirts an
nounccd Miss Cartons coming, and
Bruce turned with scarcely con
cealed eagerness. Would she appear
as lovely as her photograph?
FOR an instant, his heart seemed &c
cease beating, and a strange chill
swept over him. 4 dignitled little
woman. pale, gray-haired, with bright
black eyes sunken beneath straight,
brOws was standing before him.
You wished to see me- asked
Miss Carlton, in thin, polite tones.
"I-yes-tnat is," Bruce pulled him
self together. Il called 10 see Miss
Rita Carlton
That IS my name"
Then, think / have yoUr property
here in this box. \ handling
"Oh, how fortunate: Let ne see.
am indeed glad. Mr."
My name is Bruce Dovie'
"Oh. Mr.. Bowie, how can I thank
You? You see some Of tteso things
are valuable. How did It fall IN your
hands, | woHder?"
Bruce told his story while she
looked over her papers.
Yes, they are all right.-but where
IS my picture? Why, @as sure
had that picture In it-but perhaps
now, | might have left it somewhere.
You didn't see a picture-but OF
course not. Well, I'm very much
obliged, I'm sure. Mr.. Bowie. Good.
day"
Bruce descended in the elevator
with his spirits fallen to zero. The
picture-the lovely face that had en-.
thralled him, was that OF an old-tiIne
beauty, now faded and lined by the
relentless hand OF time. Only the
dark eyes shining cut of the white
elderly face spoke Of the loveliness
that had graced the youth OF Miss
Rita Carlton.
The young man was surprised at
the shock of his own disappointment
the bitterness OF the mood which had
taken possession of him. lie stood
irresoiute in the doorway Of the build.
ing with a feeling that somehow life
had suddenly grown gray and empty,
There was nothing that he could think
OF that he wished to do; no place
where he cared TO go. a strange
| apathy seemed to have fallen upon
him, and robbed him OF all desire and
ambition.
AS he stood there. the front door
opened and Il blast OF chill evcniug =
air rushed in and made him shiver.
Then he felt the blood coursing warm.
ly and wildly through bis veins.
There, before him, like an apparition
of the past, stood Rita" young, beau.
tiful, blooming, with her dusky eyes
staring chldishly at him, and her soft
scarlet lps parted. They both stood
silently gazing into each others eyes
for full moment; then Bruce real
! lied that she was waiting for him 70
step aside and allow her to pass.
II beg your pardon, Miss Rita" he
said gently.
I She walked slowly toward the ele-
yator and looked back as she was car
ried aloGt. The young man stood just
I within the door. HIS hat in his hahd
aud his upraised eyes solemn and
shining. Her own wondering, intent
gaze held his until the car bore her
out Of sight.
-Four days later, Bruce Bowie,
through the courtesy OF mutual
friend VINO was discovered after an
arduous campaign among his acquaint.
anccs in town. was presented formally
TO Miss Rita Carlton and her charm
( ing niece and namesake who was visit.
( ing her for the winter season. -Four
months later, young Rita was be-
trothed to young Bowie; and on the
dav OF her marriage, early in the gol-
lowing May, the elder Miss Carlton
prosecuted her with q hand-bag-the
one which had brought about tho rc-
mantic turn OF affairs.
Il know You will prize this for its
associations. Rita she said. And
inside have put a part OF the legacy
which was 10 have been yours somo
day"
Bruce placed fond arm around
the girl
Dear lady" he answered tenderly,
eve appreciate your goodness-both
of us-but nothing that bag can ever
hold will be as valuable 10 me as the
article | now confess to having stolen
from it--this."
Slipping his hand In an inside pock-