The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-02-17

smile.
He was waiting. "Sydneyi what did
my mother say to your"
Cant you guess?"
"oh, | can guess" gloomily. "see
here, dear" he added eagerly, do you
care so much for the money!"
"Why, | didn't know you had any"
she reminded him gently.
He laughed hard little laugh 81
haven't. That's what bothers me. I've
been a fool"
A quick fear stung her. about
me?"
He stopped short. Don't you trust
me?"
She met his eyes and the blood red.
dened her cheeks again. Yes" simply.
1--WE been a fool about myself, about
money, about life, about everything"
he continued sadly.
She thrust her hand in his, wait.
Burton-Oh. here's my car. Go home
to your mother tonight and--think Il
all over. Tomorrow, we--well de-
eide"
I'VE have decided" he declared
hotly.
mo. Wait until o-morow-if-"
She broke from him and ran out to
the approaching car.
He stood for a moment as II uncer-
tain, then walked thoughtfully away.
At eight o'clock that night. Sydney
rang the bell at the mansion OF valen-
tine Burke A butler or a footman,
10 Oh hn
II wish to see Mrs. Burke" sgd
ney was determined not to be over
awed by him. He ushered her into
small receptionroom, and she. remark
ing the question in his eye forestalled
him "Tell Mrs. Burke it's one OF the
girls from Hathaway Eatons"
He departed. and panic at once seized
her What a folish girl she was to do
this! What would Mrs. Burke think
Of her? And she knew her tongue
would never dare to tell her dearest Sc
cret to stranger Her courage would
have oozed entirely perhaps. had she
waited long Very soon she heard the
swish of a woman's gown, and rose
bravely to meet its wearer.
Mrs. Valentine Burke, once Christa.
bel Shannon. came forward with out
stretched hand and that wonderful
smile. Exquisltely gowned as always,
she seemed to the eyes of the shabby
little shop-girl even younger, even
loyelieT more gracious. than the pic
ture she had carried in her mind. sgd
ney's heart lightened at sight of her.
and warmed at the touch of her cool,
firm hand
IL am Sydney Chase. Mrs. Burke.
work at Hathaway & Eaton's. -"
she hesitated.
THAT always interests me-" came in
stantly the soft clear tones of Christa-
bel. You know used to work there.
too. And yes, remember you. SIT
here, won't you?" She drew her own
chair companionly near to cover the
girls momentary embarrassment.
There was no hint of hauteur or con-
descension in her manner-it was
wholly that of friendly equality. Chris
label was one of those surely blessed
OF Heaven who learn to see with the
heart Happiness had taught her not
TO forget. but to remember So she
was not looking at Sydney's neat shah
biness; she was seeing the brave youth
OF her, the eyes little sadder than
young eyes should be, the wistfulness
of the tender mouth, and understand
ing SO well that touch of defiance Of
sophistication with which adventuring
in the world had alloyed her natural
gentleness.
81 hardly know how to begin" sgd.
ney's smile was wistful. Nor what
you'll think when I've told you I'm
almost stranger here but-I'ye heard
so much about you at the store"
Christabel laughed. 81 know; I'm
the heroine of all romance at Hatha-
way's!"
Sydney caught at the word. "That
was It! Your romance--will you think
me too absurd? wanted your-ad-
vice"
advice? I'm afraid I'm not very
WISE Miss Chase. but you're surely
welcome to all the poor wisdom | can
muster" The cordial interest In her
voice brought tears close to the lonely
girls eyes.
You're very kind" she cried
Christabel waved this aside "You
said 'romance-is It that you have one
of your own perhaps?"
Sydney nodded. And it's-it's rath-
er complicated, Mrs Burke, and
wanted so much to tell some one
she broke Off
Christabel took her hand--they were
very much alike. those small capable
hands. ut was so nice of you to think
of me-"
81 wanted to run away, at first,
Sydney confessed. but now feel that
| can be quite frank with you"
81 am so glad"
Sydney took the plunge, "I-met q
young mamie came up to one of the
dances just for fun one night and
well, he came to see me. had no rea-
son to think that he was especially
above me, We became engaged and
now, find that he IA rich, that his
family is very aristocratic and that
they-are very much opposed to ouI
marriage"
You have met his family?'
His mother"
"And she"
said that II married him It would
ruin him"
oh they always say that" observed
Christabel. That's quite the stock
phrase"