The Red Cloud chief., 1913-12-11

ONLY A LOVERS way
BY JAMES n. HULL.

In the spring of the year the path
called Lovers Way" led through
tangle Of budding wild rose bushes
and trailing woodbine. In October the
woodbine was still there. a glory Of
red and gold. and the sumach crowd.
cd It's luxuriant foliage and rich ma.
hogany tinted blooms until there was
scarcely room for lovers to walk.
Dorothy Penfleld hurried through
the Way one autumn day with eyes
that would not see the beauty OF the
tinted foliage on either side. There
was scared look In her face and her
little hand clenched letter tightly.
Out of the Way was the broad drive
that led up to the big mansion on the
hill. Old Cato. driving the carriage
horses for exercise. stared after his
young mistress with rolling eyes.
miss Dolly done got a scare. I
reckon!" he muttered clucking to the
lazy sorrels. Her am de creates
young lady fer gettin' scatrt at little
er nothin'."
But Dorothy thought she had ex.
cellent reason to be disturbed this
afternoon. She hurried into the
house and went straight to the library
where there was hickory fire on the
wide hearth. Curled in her favorite
chair before the fire was her dearest
friend. Lisa Mason.
''Dear!" cried Lisa in her pretty
gushing way. i've been waiting an
age for you"
Dorothy frowned. "I came right
back. Lisa. I haven't been gone Ar.
teen minutes"
Lisa was quite unabashed. "Well.
I've been waiting all Of flve minutes.
anyway"
Dorothy tossed aside her red felt
hat and curled herself on the hearth
rug with her round white chin cupped
IN one pink palm. Suddenly as II Just
aware Of the letter she carried. she
tossed It into the fire and resumed
her former position.
Lisa gazed curiously at the letter
and to Dorothy's keen disgust the
flames licked the envelope open and
spread the sheets wide for anyone to
read. Dorothy wished she had not
possessed such spfashing handwrit.
ing. Certain words Of the burning
missive stood out strongly before they
turned black and shriveled away.
Dearest Phil" 1.-THE day has been
90 long" "You can read your an.
swer-." Ever yours. Dolly"
Thnro 1voro cuoov soutounos-Ao.ous
Of them-in between the frst and tho
last that no one could read except the
hungry flames. for there were several
sheets Of paper thickly covered with
the loving words that had dripped
from Dorothy's hasty pen.
Lisa Mason read the words shame.
lessly and then turned round eyes
upon her friend. Dorothy's head was
bent in deep detection.
well. Dolly GIRL" said Lisa briskly.
slipping down beside her friend. IT re-
ceived your note asking me to come
over and consult about the wedding
1xin's-here I am and here you are
glum as can be. Let's talk about pret.
ties" she coaxed.
said Dolly turning sad eyes on her
friend. There isn't to be any wed.
ding"
mo wedding!" shrieked Lisa. mo
trousseau? No fixin's?"
"No. nothinR!" returned Dolly with
an air of finality.
But. you said this morning that
you wanted to see me about the wed.
ding plans. and I've got my brides.
maids dress half made and"
"Oh. keep still" snapped Dorothy.
with tears brimming her hazel eyes.
Lisa stared: her pretty mouth
trembled as II speech would not be
confined. but by q supreme effort the
little fair-haired girl regained her con.
troll and her natural keenness.
TITS quarrel. I suppose?" she
asked tentatively.
Dolly shook her head.
There is no quarrel-only rye sim.
ply found him out!"
Found out about Phil waringr
Eyes"
"Well. what about him! thought
he was q perfect dear. and II It hadn't
been that his brother Ralph was ten
times dearer in my estimation. you
would never have won Doctor Philip,
my dear"
Dolly shrugged her Indifferent
shoulders.
But you are still wearing his
ring" reminded Lisa with a curious
glance at the diamonds on Dorothy's
finger.
II had forgotten" said Dorothy.
slipping OF the ring and tossing It
into the waste paper basket so tempt
ingly near at hand.
my. but we're reckless!" muttered
Lisa. Love letters in the flames and
diamond rings In the waste paper
basket for the servants to find! I
heard that Phil Waring half.starved
himself to buy that ring for you"
Dorothy's winsome face went very