The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-01-16
SPARKS AND ASHES
Triumph and Vindication of a
Woman's Outraged Love;
litter Taught Lesson.
BY FRANCES A. COREY.

dreamily into the open fire when the
doorbeli rang The caller was Mrs.
TTueblood, a near neighbor, and q
trusted friend of the family. She was
allowed TO come up.
My dear, have you heard the
nevs?" the good lady broke out ex-
citedly, before she had fairly seated
herself. Morris Burton is back in
town again! They say he's going to
remodel the old home-place and set
tle down here
Anne drew quick sharp breath.
Morris Burton had Tilted her five years
before. and eloped with a red-haired
heiress on the morning of their we'd
ding day.
No, hadn't heard she answered
after a moment
He'll be at the party tonight Mrs.
Truebood went on quiveringly. He's
wagered DR.. Bliss that he'll prove, be-
fore the evening is over that you're
as much in love with him as ever.
How perfectly outrageous"
Whatoever Anne may have felt, she
was surprisingly calm. Thank you
for telling me- was all she vouch-
safed
OF course you'll stay at home to-
night?'
No. Why should |? | must meet
Morris sooner or later. I've heard,
she added musingly, that his rich
wife died last summer and left him all
her money"
MRS. Trueblood looked at Anne
culiously as she rose to go. Was the
dear girl going to make a fool of her
self again over the handsome scamp?
The minute Anne found herself
alone she went straight to a cedar
chest in the alcove and gently lifted
out Il white satin gown that had lain
there for FIVE years. There was a
haif-detiant impulse to put 1t on and
meet her faithless lover thus arrayed:
but she presently laid the glistening
robe back again in it's understanding
receptacle,
Mrs. Peyton's rooms were full to
overlooking when Anne arrived upon
the scene. A quick interchange of
chances as she entered told her that
she was an object of speculative in
terest to the assembled guests. For
just one burning moment she felt
like turning back; but Professor Law
son was coming toward her. He
seemed tower Of strength, and her
courage revived.
And then, for a second, her heart
stopped beating. "By the way, Miss
Graham the professor said with
seeming carelessless, IAN old friend
of yours is here tonight-Morris Bur
ton of New York. Perhaps you had
heard?'
So he knew the old story? OF
course--it had been town talk.
yes, Mrs, Trueblood told me-" she
replied. recognizing the kindly i'm
pulse that had led him to give her
timely warning. ut is five years
since Mr. Burton went away. I Won
der If he is much changed"
She was outwardly composed. and
Professor Lawson drew breath of
relief. Whether the meeting would
be an ordeal or not he need fear no
weak betrayal on her part.
And yet Anne's limbs trembled un-
der her as she slipped away into the
crowd. She could not have told which
feeling predominated, dread or long
ing.
Suddenly some words came to her
ears from behind screen of palms.
Everybody is wondering if Anne
has remained single on Morris Bur
toms account. We will soon know"
"She won't speak to him if she has
a particle of PRIDE" was the spirit
ed response But women are such
fools"
Anne hurried on with burning
cheeks. Suddenly group of &C.
quaintances parted before her, and
lover. In a hushed silence she held
out her hand as if they had parted on
the friendliest terms
"Welcome home, Mr. Burton"
He flushed with surprise and graft
flcation. There was no pretense of
resentment. But then she had been
very much in love with him. OF
and there was no barrier between
them. His wager was as good as won!
THANK you, Anne, for this kind re-
ceItion," he said with complacent
smirk tits just what I expected Do
you know, came tonight expressly to
see you. Let's find a quiet corner
where we can talk"
Anne accepted his proffered arm
He looked down at her curiously. She
had more than fulfilled the promise
OF girlhood. She had a womanly dig
nifty, an air of conscious strength far
more attractive than mere beauty
Dimly it began to dawn upon him why
DR.. Bliss had been so ready to bet
the odds against him. But he was not
the sort of man a woman can easily
forget-and her greeting had been re-
assuring!
"You are so much better to me than
deserve, Anne" he said impressive