The Red Cloud chief., 1913-05-08

atmosphere. Thus II was that he Sc
cured a private word with his hostess
! lust before dinner and confided his
secret to her. For II the truth must
be known, Dick Sheriff. desired very
strongly to remain attractive to his
new acquaintance although he puzzled
little when Caroline Arden laughed
and continued to laugh as she agreed
to his suggestion. and ran upstairs
to speak to Maizie, who, likewise had
her own secret to impart.
HE thinks ! am Patricia Ainsley."
she said breathlessly. "and / don't
want you to tell him. Garry. Prob
ably he will cease to take any further
interest in me II he finds out ! am
just q silly little aspirant for fame
and I do so want to keep friendly
Mrs. Arden cheerfully aoquiesced
and led her young guest down to the
dining room. They we're met at the
door by Sheriff., and the older WON
an surrendered her partner to his
arm.
When he asked permission to call
upon her. Maizie had replied unhesi
tatingly: II have no regular abiding
place, Mr.. Brierson. II am SO
busy. here. there and everywhere.
But we shall meet often here at
Caroline's."
The weeks dragged when they did
not see each other. and flew when
they did. Still, Sheriff. kept his lips
closed. though every fiber Of him was
tingling to tell the girl that he loved
her. And one day he was very glad
that he hadn't. He picked up the
morning paper and read In 1t In far.
ing headlines, the announcement OF
Patricia Ainsley's approaching mar
riage to some railroad magnate OF
Chicago. His blood boiled. In desper.
alton. he paid visit to his good
friend. Mrs. Ashton Arden. He
poured out his grief to her and be.
came silently enraged when she
laughed in his face.
In the next room was Maizie Shut
tleworth. Her eyes were red and
swollen from too much emotion OF
some sort and her lips quivered. She
was glad Caroline had company and
had left her alone. She wouldn't
have had her guess her weakness for
kingdom. On one OF MrC. Ardens
silver salvers reposed richly.en'
graved card which read as follows:
Mr.. and Mrs. George Smith
request the honor Of your presence at
the marriage Of their daughter
Annie
| to
Mr.. David Wells Brierson,
st. Anthony's Church, June the eigh-
teenth, at eight o'clock.
Fifteen minutes later, fluffy
brown head was thrust In the door
way. II was followed Immediately by
the graceful. well.gowned owner Of 1t
and with a little circumspect smile,
Caroline Arden tripped across the
floor and took her seat on a divan.
Maizie's nose was In book and she
did not even look up. Neither did
Mrs. Arden look at her. but never
theless. she--saw. Presently she
said: "My dear. I'm giving a lunch
con at one. Will you excuse me while
run out and attend to the dining.
room? An old friend of yours Is
here. and I'll send him in to keep you
company"
Before the girl could protest, her
friend had turned the door.knob, was
in the corridor and the door had shut
behind her. Maizie dabbed her pink
eyes viciously with her handkerchief
as she heard the sound of approach
ing footsteps. and changed her seat
to one OF the dark corners.
"Maizie," At the sound Of he,
name, called in Brierson's deep, ia
miliar tones. the girl sprang to hel
feet and hid her cheeks with hei
hands. He came up to her and pulled
them down from her face. Her flick
ering gaze met his. Dick Sheriff. was
looking at her with the look that nc
girl ever misunderstands, and few
resist.
But she remembered all at one,
and jeered away sharply.
DON'T" she cried. you have n,
right-you-"
: Il have every right" he broke II
, masterfully. because l love you bet
. ter than anything on Gods greer
:, earth, and II | am not more mistaken
, than ! have ever been In my life
: you"
Scalding tears rained down tn
girls cheeks. "Oh!" she exclaime
:, In an anguished voice, this is--ul
: speakable, And you-to-be marrie
. in a week."
!, Then It was that he took her In hi
" arms. Yes" he said fervently. "i
you-will take me-" She struggled (
. free herself. but he held her close
= and told her. Were to be marie
in" he looked down at Maizie.
u "In a week." she answered from tn
w. muilled region OF purplish.tan Goa
y sleeve.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure New,