The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-01-18


wlth the McA!sters In June. But
stole away all by myself TO study w
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
b her plotting and wire-pulling e
come 10 nught2 She had counted
on definitely settling her piece.s III
tire within twcng.lcur hours. Now
tie one man who could spoil her ~
tie game had Unexpectedly crossed
SER p8th.
II hear the warning whistle" shf
exclaimed. we must hasten back
Duncan Vince walked down 70 az
train With them. Ea and Com
efatted Ia accents Of suppressed ez
cilemgut, but Mrs. Van Bfunt ke
close at their heels. Sine hurri-.
connie into the coach. but the yoa
man stood ct the window until W
train began to move.
4 sAall see you again scon,' /
called after them.
Not IL can help i'll" Mrs. Va
Brunt calculated to herself.
some hours later Coanie stood o.
the broad veranda at .sformeiiH T
sun had gone dorm behind STRAIT {
mountain. Ali tie Lesser heights, IL
lir-crowned stores, we're wrapped |
:, ,,tc7, n rfr11 orsq1 hare
Several things had happened sine
their arrival Colonel Calvert, the
host, q railroad president, with NJ
Immediate family Of his own, he
saown them over the beautiful nous
Zen jack, bis handsome nephew, b
escorted Connie through tt.
grounds. Afterward Mrs Van Brunt
Lad unearthed from her trunk a very
lovely gown, her latest purchase fol
Ter niece.
tOf course this is no mere pleasure
trip" was her cold-blooded declara
ton. Make the most of your oppol
tunity, my dear. You will never have
such another There's another neph
CIV, a graceless scamp, 1 imagine; bu
Jack ought to get the lions share O
the money If you let him slif
through your fingers because Of any
foolishness, you'll get no more he'll
from me"
1t was not Jacks face that danced
before the girls eyes. as she arrayed
-arsen in the grudgingly-giyep finery
indeed, had she not become very fonc
Of Colonel Calvert, whose acquaiat
ance he had made in New York th
previous winter, she would never have
consented to come to stormcliff. H
had taken an almost paternal interes !
in her from the first.
Nervous sobs were very near the
surface as she stood there and watch
ed the sun go down Her fate was
in her own hands. She liked lux
ury and hated poverty. 1t was per
fectly clear why this invitation tt
the Calvert sumner home had beer
extended. Cold, common sense ad
monished her to accept thankfulls
what the gods had progided. Bc-
she didn't love Jack she never coult
love him! 1t would be case OF bar
ter and sale
A firm, quick step crossed the ve1
arda She saw Jack coming and her
heart leaped into her throat. Wha1
should she say to him?
Ten minutes later it had been sale
all uncertainty was over forever
Jack had rushed away. shaping at hel
angry words.
And now she must face her aunt's
bitter upbraidings. She knew the
price she would have to pay-poor
clothes, plain living, uncongenial
tasks; but her heart sang within her
Mrs. Van Brunt would call her a SEN
timental fool; but she felt that she
had done the wise and sensible thing.
Slowly the last CLEAN Of daylight
faded; stars flashed into the darken
ing sky. Colonel Calvert met her as
she re-entered the house, and drew
her into the big drawing room, into
the brilliant gaslight.
$50 you have refused Jock?" There
was an amused CLEAN in his shrewd
gray eyes as they searched her face.
Why? Don't be afraid tell me, my
dear. Why did you do it?"
Down went her head upon his shoul.
der. Il found couldn't-sel N.Y.
SELF" she faltered.
Colonel Calvert stroked her rum
pied hair tenderly. That's where
you showed good sense. Now, l won
der Ii there isn't somebody else who
has better show than poor Jack?"
Connie started back, pale and trsm-
bling. The sudden fear was unfound-
cd. 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
twinkling eyes. II wanted to be sure
you were worthy OF him, my dear; SO
I let Jack have the first chance. But
I knew you'd stand the test all right, y