The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-01-13

abroad" Connie faltered, all her DIM
pies flashing and playing bewf3der-
lingly.
yes, my friends believe l went
with the McAlisters in June. But
stole away all by myself to study up
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
all her plotting and wire-pulling to
come to naught? She had counted
ON definitely settling hsr niece,s iu-
ture within twenty-four hours. Now
the one man who could spoil her lit
tie game had Unexpectedly crossed
! their path.
y hear the warning whistle" she
| exclaimed I'VE must hasten back.
Duncan Vance walked down to the
! train with them. He and Connie
chatted In accents of suppressed ex-
element, hut Mrs. Van Brunt kept
close at their heels. She hurried
Connie intn the coach. but the young
man stood at the window until the
train began to move.
II shall see You again soon." he
called after them
Not if can help it," Mrs. Van
Brunt ejaoulAtsd to herself.
Some hours later Connie stood on
the broad verznda at Stormclin. The
sun Had gone down behind Stratton
mountain. ALI the lesser heights, the
! fir-crowned slopes, were wrapped In
wonderful opal haze
Several things had happened since
their arrival. Colonel Calvert, their
host, q railroad president, with no
immediate family Of his own. had
shown them over the beautiful house.
Then Jack. his handsome nephew, had
escorted Connie through the
grounds. Afterward Mrs. Van Brunt
had unearthed from her trunk a very
lovely gown, her latest purchase for
her niece.
"Of course this Is mo- mere pleasure
trip" was her cold-blooded declara~
ton. Make the most of your oppor-
tunity, my dear. You viii never have
such another. There's another neph-
ew. q graceless scamp. ! imagine; but
Jack ought to get the lions share of
the money. If YOU let him slip
through your fingers because Of any
foolishness. you'll get no more help
from me-.
It was not Jacks face that danced
before the girls eyes as she arrayed
herselflin the grudgingly-give finery.
Indeed. had she not become very fond
of Colonel Calvert. whose acquaint-
ance he had made IN New York the
previous winter, she would never have
consented to come to Stormcliff. He
had taken 40 almost paternal interest
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
IL her own hands. She liked lux
ury and hated poverty. 1t was per-
fectly clear why this invitation to
the Calvert summer home had been
extended Cold. common sense adj
monished her to accept thankfully
what the gods had provided. But
she didn't love Jack-she never could
love him! 1t would be q case of bar
ter and sale
A firm. quick step crossed the YER
anda She saw Jack coming and her
! heart leaped into her throat. What
should she say to him?
Ten minutes later 1t had been said
all uncertainty was over forever.
Jack had rushed away, swapping at her
angry words.
| And now she must face her aunt's
bitter upbrabdfngs 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 sem
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 Shout
der. II found couldn't-sell my
seff,~ she faltered.
! Colonel Calvert stroked her rum
Piled hair tenderly. That's where
yoa showed good sense. Now, won
der n there isn't somebody else who
has better show than poor Jack?"
Connie started back, pale and trem-
bling. The sudden fear was unfound-
ed He gave low whistle. evidently
q signal. A man in a long motor coat