The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-01-11

for the book I'm writing on Forestry.
rye nut Ia six weeks Of solid WORK
A look passed between the two tnat
made Mrs. Van Brunt writhe. was
an her plotting and wire-pulling to
come to nmlght? She had counted
on definitely settling her niece's Iu-
tpre within twenty-four hours. Now
the one man who could spoil her 1T
tie game had unexpectedly crossed
their path.
Il hear the warning whistle" she
exclaimed I'VE must hasten back.
Duncan vince walked down to the
train with them. He and Connie
ehatted in accents of suppressed ex
element, but Mrs. Van Brunt keEi
close at their heels. She hurrie'
Connie into the coach, but the youn:
man stood at the window until tht
train began to move.
Il shall see you again soon" h
called after them
mot if | can help til" Mrs. Va
Brunt calculated to herself.
Some hours later Connie stood o.
the broad, veranda at StormcliR I'll
sun had gone down behind Stratte
mountain. All the lesser heights, IT,
fir-crowned slopes, were wrapped i.
wonderful opal haze.
Several things had happened since
their arrival. Colonel Calvert, the
hest. q railroad president, with NJ
immediate family of his own, ha
shown them over the beautiful houst
/ then Jack, his handsome nephew, b.
escorted Connie through til,
grounds. Afterward Mrs. Van Brunt
lad unearthed from her trunk a very
lovely gown, her latest purchase foi
her niece.
"Of course this is no mere pleasure
trip" was her eold-blooded declara
ton. Make the most of your oppoF
4 tunity, my dear. You will never hsu
such another. There's another neph
CIV, a graceless. scamp, i imagine; Blu.
Jack ought to get the lions share o.
the money. If you let him sill
through your fingers because Of any
foolishness, you'll get no more hell
from me-"
1t was not Jacks face that danced
before the girls eyes as she arrayee
herself in the grudgingly-giyen fnery
Indeed, had she not become very fonC
CT Colonel Calvert, whose acquaint
ance he had made in New York tAe
previous winter she would never have
consented to come to Stormcliff. HI
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 K
the Calvert summer home had beer
extended, Cold, common sense ad
monished her to accept thankfully
wharf.-the gods had provided. Blu
she didn't love Jack-she never coul(
love him! 1t would be case of bar
ter and sale
Al firm, quick step crossed the yer
anda She saw Jack coming and he
heart leaped into her throat. VIVA
should she say to him?
Ten minutes later 1t had been sail
ALI uncertainty was over forever
Jack had rushed away, swapping at he
angry words.
And now she must face her aunt
bitter upbraidings She knew tn
price she would have to pay-poo
clothes, plain living, uncongenia
tasks; but her heart sang within hel
Mrs. Van Brunt would call her ser
timental fool; but she felt that sh
had done the wise and sensible thing
Slowly the last CLEAN of dayligh
faded; stars flashed into the darker
ing sky. Colonel Calvert met her q
t she re-entered the house, and dreV
I her into the big drawing room, int
r the brilliant gaslight.
$50 you have refused Jock?" Their
e was an amused CLEAN in his shrew
r gray eyes as they searched her face
!. Why? Don't be afraid-tell me, m
e dear. Why did you do it?"
Down went her head upon his shou
g der Il found7I couidn't-sell my
SELF" she faltered
J. Colonel Calvert stroked her run
|. pied hair tenderly. That's wher
e you showed good sense. Now, wor
: der if there isn't somebody else VIII
s has better show than poor Jack"
t Connie started back. pale and tren
/ bling. The sudden fear was unfounC
r ed. He gave low whistle, evidentl
a signal. A man in long motor Goa
" came swiftly down the hallway.
r. MY favorite nephew, Dunca
[ Vance," Colonel Calvert said, wit
3 twinkling eyes. I wanted to be sur
you were worthy of him, my dear; s
I, / let Jack have the first chance. Blu
b knew you'd stand the test all right.