The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-06-21

explained. How are you, Richard ?
Haven't seen you since your freshman
days at Harvard-get through" Dick
put out his hand. Selwyn knew too
much about him. Mrs. Austin was
frigidly waiting for more-a queer
CLEAN in her eyes.
Il don't understand" she said Kit
tie. we have been looking for you"
Selwyn took the matter up 81 do
owe you an explanation" he said.
You see l am engaged to Kittie. l
| came out here to surprise her, and saw
her on the road and carried her off
for ride. The engagement was to
have been announced as soon as she
reached home. Her aunt knows It..
Surely you remember me, Mrs Aus
tin? Met you at my sisters, Mrs.
Jackson" Mrs. Austin thawed and re-
membered-also remembered the
James fortune, and stiffened again.
But In decency she had to ask him to
dinner. He saw unpleasantness for
Kittie ahead. and promptly came to
the rescue again.
I'll be glad to stay to dinner. and II
Dickie will let me share his quar-
ters I'll invite myself to stay until
morning." Dickie was not In a posi-
ton to refuse. The older man had
bought him out of disgraceful col
lege scrape. He rose to the occasion.
They all went in Kittle hastily
dressed for dinner and Selwyn washed
up. refusing Dicks offer of clothes.
He longed to kick the little cad, but
| restrained himself
Dinner went pleasantly enough be-
cause Selwyn would have 1t 30. He
knew himself to be irreproachable. he
knew they knew 1t, and he had once
been deeply in love with Clara James,
who had chosen his friend Smiley In
stead. This was Clara's little sister.
And she was like Clara-perhaps she
was even sweeter than Clara He
looked across the table at her Wild
rose bloom and wide blue eyes, the
fine, firm little chin and intelligent
forehead. She caught his glance and
her flush deepened and burned. He
again addressed Mrs. Austin, and as
| he did SO resolved to give Aunt Cor
nelia the scolding of her life when he
saw her. To leave the girl with PEG.
pie like this while she chased off to
suffrage meetings and got sick at the
| wrong times!
Mrs Austin, am going to rob
you tomorrow of your guest. My sis
ter is with me In San Francisco, and
we are going to Los Angeles In few
days, She will take Kittie with her
and meet her aunt there"
Kittie sat still and drew long
breath of relief, but her soul was burn
ing with shame and fear. What did
this splendid knight think of her for
even thinking she might ever love
Dickie Austin? What should she say
when she reached his sister? Of
course the engagement matter would
never go any furtherl Her heart sank
strangely.
The next day saw her safely on her
way to Mrs. Jackson, her face glow
ing. The ride was wonder of de-
light, the beauty of the country after
| the eastern snow, most of all the
strong man beside her. She gave her
self to the JOY of the moment, charm
in CHIN with everything she said and
did. Freed from her trouble her
sweetness came to the top and bub-
bled and sparkled like champagne. A
great protective sense came over the
man, but a twinge at the heart, too.
Only for today was she his, and he
would not have touched her finger
tips without her consent. He turned
to her as they neared San Francisco.
you've had an adventure, a real
one, haven't your" She looked at him,
SOLDERING, her eyes deep, but ner
tongue would not speak. i've never
been engaged before" he said, and
I'm nearly thirty. 1t is very lovely.
| shall always remember it--long
after you have married the right man.
younger and brighter than l."
She shook her head.
Il shall NORTHUMBERLAND any
body-all my life!" she burst out.
"After-Dickie-I should be-afraid."
She shivered, and driving with one
hand, he caught at her slim fingers.
Would you be afraid OF mel
Would your" Her eyes filled with
| tears.
ooh, but 1t isn't-real about you!
You had to lie to get me out of trou.
BILE, and you've got yourself In Mrs
Austin will tell people and-and-"
"She couldn't say anything II you
made 1t real. Kittie Could you? VIII
your" She turned from him pitifully,
and then brought her glance bravely
to his. Her voice was grave and
quiet.
you don't-love me-" The man
laughed outright. Love is as swift as
light--it doesn't need time.
Il dol" he said. II love and love
you! VIII you make me happy now
or make me court you for months, Just
to satisfy your pride?" She gave him
her hand simply. and her answer also.
and he blessed her for It,
I'm not very wise," she faltered,
"but do-love you'll"