Ellsworth American., 1913-01-01

eel MS nat ana cbut Win the tSSt'NiNNS
clutch OF one who holds fast to some
firm support. He met the sadrieai
CLEAN of her eyes With waVering fear
In his own.
Anne Miss Lange." he gasped con
fusedly.
She bowed coldly.
A light came to him with startling
suddenness.
"You are governess to the little girl,
Annabel. That explains your presence
here, supposeT' he said, regaining his
self possession with masterful effort.
She smiled unpleasantly. He had not
dreamed that Anne could have looked
SO vindicuvely at airy one-romanuc
little Anne. She must have cared for
him. indeed, and a thrill of regret
stirred him that she could not be for
him after all.
And suppose l am the goyernessT
she inquired at last. and her beautiful
contralto voice caused another thrill
within bis chill, well ordered interior.
"You know am engaged to Mrs. Sill
vester?"
She nodded carelessiy.
Mrs. Sylvester is very particular
very particular indeed" he began as
suredly. Il am sure she would not
care for governess who He foun-
dered under her scornful glance.
"Who had once been engaged to you,
who once wore the historic emerald on
her plebeian. paint stained hand" she
finished mockingly. She lifted one
slim white hand and contemplated IL
thoughtfully.
II was going to say more than that"
he said. vindictive in his turn, and his
eyes betrayed the length to which he
would go.
IF you said more than that you
would lie" She spoke with q calm dig
nifty that set oddly on one so young.
81 knew you were here and came down
to prepare you for my appearance.
Mrs. Sylvester shall not know 1 have
ever seen you before unless you force
me to tell her. l am not proud OF that
little episode in my life. l was only
sixteen. but believed In you. Two
years is a long time. and now ! am
woman. You All, here Is mother
now"
"Annabel.' Mrs. Silvester's aston
ishment was blended with laughter
and well simulated confusion as she
gave her hand to willoughby.
"Annabel:" squeaked that gentleman
pitifully
Annabel courtesied mockingiy. AN
mabel Lange Sylvester. who tired of
convent life and spent year In Paris
studying art. who tired Of art and went
back to the convent and who has come
home and surprised her dear mamma
by being so grown up!"
Darling. you positively shocked
me-" murmured Lucia Sylvester. caress-
ing the ruddy hair with one plump
white hand. 81 did not realize you
were growing up. have always
thought OF you as my little girl. Now
shall keep you hidden till after my
wedding" she concluded. with an arch
smile. at the disturbed face Of her be
trothed.
willoughby Jones' Derrick was ad.
justing his slow moving faculties tc
this latest order Of things.
First, 1t had been Anne Lange. q
ghost out Of his respectable past that
might rattle its bones unpleasantly to
the sound Of wedding bells or hush
those bells altogether. and this wed
ding meant his bread and butter-and
cigarettes.
Now, it was AnnabeI. the stepdaugh-
ter, who confronted him; Annabel,
his prospective stepdaughter. who
turned out to have been his fiancee for
several delicious weeks and whom
he had heartlessly Tilted when her
youthful charms palled upon him.
Even with her promise to forget the
past warmth on her lips he wondered
whether he could live with her and
look on her each day as a slumberine
volcano which might burst forth any
moment and overwhelm him with the
lava Of truth. Women were treacher.
Gus. and had not great poet said
that hell holds no fury like 4 won.
an scornedT'
Il have been making the acquaint.
ance Of Mr.. Jones-Derrick." said Anna.
bel. with suddenly sweet smile. He
thinks l remind him of an old friend.
and We squabbled over the matter.
Now we shall bury the hatchet. shall
we not?" She extended her cool hand.
Willoughby grasped 1t eagerly. and
tears of relief almost forced them
selves to his fine eyes. Yes" he said.
with the stiff heartiness that was his
nearest approach to friendliness-
II thought mother was all alone. and
so | came home to take care of her
girls have such funny ideas" Anna
befs voice was honey sweet
II have given that right to Mr.. Jones.
Derrick" smiled Mrs. Sylvester over
the teapot.
II will take care of you BOTH said
Willoughby ponderously.
Annabel curled her lips scornfully.