Graham guardian., 1912-01-03

more, ne realized that crisis In bin
life was at hand which might make ol
mar him. n Munger's reply was ."No'
there was still hope for him. II II
was "Yes" he felt sure the lady would
not go hack on her word.
Now. though Tom wasn't invited to
the ball. he felt that he must be there
So on New Years eve he put on q
dress suit that was getting threadbare.
together with all the assurance he
could call up. and shortly before mid
night. when the affair was In full swing
and the presence of an unlimited guest
waa not likely to he noticed. he walked
10 among the dancers, casting his eyes
about him for the girl he loved.
Not seeing her. he strOlled through
The rooms. hoping to 6nd her. He saw
Munger among the reveiers and knew
that he and Beatrice were not tOgeth-
e.. Entering a little room which was
apparently vacant. he saw foot In.
eased In a kid slipper peeping from
behind curtain Cautiously approach.
ing. be esI,ied the girl he sought sitting
on . wiudow seat ASLEEP. There was
q troubled expression on her face. In
her hand abe held a red and n white
rose. Tired out with the holiday fes-
ti~ities. she had sought a secluded spot
wherein to make IN her mind. and na-
ture had given her slumber.
Persons approaching caused MIR Oak,
ley to move On. and his mind moved
on too. II WAS but some twenty min.
utes to II o'clock. and hr knew that
Just before II the CHESTS would he as,
ssnibied In the supper room. the elec.
trio lights would be turned o6 for the
last sixty seconds Of the old year and
when they were turned on ngain his
rival would be looking for the token
Of his acceptance. ,.-
Either some one must have aroused
Miss Martindale or she must have
awakened herself. for at Eve minutes
before II Tom saw her In the supper
room standing with the others holding
glass In her hnnd.
Now. during the previous ten or
dozen minutes Tom had procured some
thing that he carried up hIs coat sleeve
It was not the nee Of hearts. but It was
nevertheless a trump Siding around
BY the wall. he managed Just before
the lights were turned ont to obtain
position directly behind Miss Martin
dale. she being unaware Of his pres
encs there. When DARKNESS came he
felt for her back hair and by the sense
Of touch knew that she was putting
rose there. lie waited till she had time
70 nx It In the coil. then took 1t out
and pulling rose from bis sleeve put
y IA the nlscs Of the one he had re-
moved, ~ |
Quddsnly Z burst Of light showed
Mr.. Munger. who was awaiting tue
announcement Of his fate on the other
side Of the room, a white rose In Miss
MartindaIe's hair. He Immediately
left the premises and returned to his
home, Tom Oakley looked down at
what he held In his hand and saw a
red rose.
Beatrice" be said.
Miss Martlndale turned and saw him
hehind her,
"Come with me-" he continued. ~
have something important to say to |
you"
She put her hand up to her hair and.
feeling rose there. slipped the hand
through hts arm, aud he led her to the
window where hs had found her
a''sslssn
u couldnt give you up." he said.
without a fight. stood behind you
just now. removed the Tese that was
ia hsyN accented Munger and put a
white one IN Its place. Say the word |
and ! Will 70 at oape to and him and
tell him that the token was not the one |
... ~
She pulled the flower from her hair
and looked at It. ID.
"Qh. Tom!H "
"Shali gO?"
She stood irrsso,uts Gradually her
head sank Oh hts breast. he put an
arm about her waist. and the ned rose
dropped an the hoar,