The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1913-01-10

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 II
thoughtfully.
81 was going To say more than that"
he said. vindctlve IN his turn, and his
eyes betrayed the length 60 which he
would NO
IF you said more than that you
would lie" She spoke with a calm dig
nifty that set oddly ON one 80 young.
"T knew you were here and came down
to prepare you for my appearance.
Mrs. Sylvester shall not know | have
ever seen YOU before unless YOU force
me to tell her Tam not proud OF that
little episode In my life. I was only
sixteen, but ] believed In you. Two
years IL n long time, and now | am a
woman, YOU All, here is mother
now"
"Annabel!" Mrs Silvesters aston
ishment was blended with laughter
and well simulated confusion as she
gave her hand to Wiloughby.
"Annabel?" sdueaked that gentleman
pitifully
Annabel courtesied mockingly. 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 upr
Darling, You positively shocked
me-" murmured Lucia Sylvester. caress-
ing the rudy hair with one plump
white hand II did not realize you
thought Of you as my little girl. Now
! shall keep you hidden tn after my
wedding" she concluded, with an arch
smile. at the disturbed face of her be.
trotbed
WillouRhhy Jones. Derrick was ad-
iustlng his slow moving faculties TO
this latest order Of things.
First, II had been Anne LaDge,
ghost out OF his respectable past that
might rattle Its bones unpleasantiy TO
tho 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 stepdaugb-
ter who confronted him; Annabel,
his prospective stepdaughter, who
turned out TO have been his tiancee for
several delicious weeks aud whom
he Ind 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 az a slumbering
volcano which might burst forth any
moment and overwhclm him with the
lava Of truth. Women were treacher
Gus, and had not great poet said
that "hell holds no fury like a won.
an acOrnedY'
81 have been making the acquaint-
ance of Mr.. Jones Derrick" said Anna
bel, with a suddenly sweet smile, HE
thinks remind him OF an old friend.
and we squabbled over the matter.
Now we shnll bury the Ratchet, shall
we notY She extended her cool hand.
Wiloughby grnsped II eagerly, and
tears OF relief almost forced them
selves 10 his fine eyes YES" he said,
with the stlff heurtiness that was his
nearest approach to frlendiness.
81 thought mother was all alone, and
30 came home TO take care Of her.
girls have such funny ideas" Anna
bel's voice was honey sweet
81 have given that right to Mr.. Jones'
Derrick" smiled Mrs. Sylvester over
the teapot.
~ viii take care OF you both" said
Willoughby ponderously
Annabel curled her lips seornfully.
and they trembled with the quick
words that would unmask the man be-
fore her and reveal his utter faithless-
ness 10 her mother But. she thought.
perhaps he was not TO blame for firing
Of her n mere schoolgirl. Her beauti-
full mother was nearer his age and
taste. Standing there. pale and cold.
Annabel saw the loyelight shining In
Yer mothers eyes, noticed the gray
threads in Willoughby's thick hair,
saw him wlnce-he was afraid OF her
Something that had choked her heart
two years ago WAS suddenly swept
away in warm food. and this warmth
filled her beautiful eyes. She stepped
forward and laid her hand on the
clasped fingers Of her mother and the
man.
Eyes, mother dear. your husband
will take care of ns-both. Let us all
be happy" she said, throwing away