El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-06-26

Ohm HALE watched the scraps OF
Toms torn letter flutter down into
the waste basket His finely lined,
aristocratic face wore a peculiar ex-
preston. Finally he laughed within
sicaIly.
Well, Of course, Tom" he said with
his accustomed kindness, IF can't
get at the truth Of this affair except
by piecing together those bits Of pa
per, 1 shall have to remain in igno-
rance" He paused STILL" he added,
more grayely, 4 think you are making
a mistake IN not conilding IN me 1t
IS a rather dlstasteful thought TO me
that the love which I believed Edith
had for you should be lost through a
matter Of foolish pride"
1T is not as If Edith stiu cared for
me- Tom reminded him with quiet
dignity You see, sir, she has shown
me by her actions and 1 have received
assurances by her own speech that she
has no affection for me- even that she
prefers not TO know NE As long as I
had the honor Of being engaged to her,
1 owed her an explanation But now,
as person whom she does not desire to
recognize, ] feel no such responsibility
incumbent upon me-
The girls father seemed to study the
pattern Of his office rug for a long
moment before raising his eyes and
meeting Toms gaze
4 wonder If it would help matters
at ALL John Hale Ventured, watching
his companions face keenly, If I were
TO do all in my power to explain pres
ent conditions, ana tell you that Edith
Is practically engaged TO Ralph, your
cOusin2"
If he had expected the other to show
some sudden emotion at this bit Of neWa
he was disappointed
indeed Tom returned his voice
and manner unperturbed. I had not
heard Of that"
An awkward silence ensued, then
Tom rose TO his feet
If there is nothing more that you
wish to speak to me about sir he
SAID with grave courtesy 4 viii eE-
cuse- myself am very busy today"
No there is nothing more hespond-
ed the other regretfully. Il had hoped
that you would be able TO explain this
unfortunate condition. or at least that
you would show a willingness 10 do so.
1 see that 1 was mistaken GOOdby,
my boy"
He held out his hand with the gen
tie winning smile which his daughter
had inherited from him, and which was
one OF her chief attractions Toms
face sOftened
Please don't think too hard OF me,
Mr. Hale" he pleaded, somewhat huski-
~ And let me tell you this much be-
fore 1 60 1 do appreciate the straight
forward way IN which you have come
10 me, and / can say, with absolute
frankness, that / know Of no action Of
love need be ashamed. I hope never TO
Is all Goodby, and thank v0ul-
de clasped warmly the Outstretched
haId' then left the office without .
backward glance.
Downstairs. at the entrance n the
great building, he stood for 2 moment
ana passed his hand across his fore
Ralph is engaged to herr he muir
u ~ - Gu haIph- must see him III
~ 70 MN now He, at least can er-
pam an, and he shall III make him talJi' /
4here was no one but the clerk in I
MS COUSINS office Mr.. Morton yros ne I
H Town He had been there for a Urt1e
I me curing the morning, but had Ieft
y ~ ~ LuHcneon- No, II was impossible
~ Ten WneIner he would be in tornor- !
'o% or not Was there any MESSAGE
No, said Tom Then, with a sigh |
- "sarlness or evaporation he re /
raced his steps TO his own office.
a Surprise.
MS stenographer looked IN as he !
~ IteIea- 4our mail is on your desk.
er, SIR! You look done up this after
I'm a little tired. I think his en-
loyer replied, absently.
Inc western sunlight shining BRIGHT
Y on ms desk brought into view a pic ,
ure standing in the interior in a small |
oIy frame Tom pushed IL back into
re SHADOW before taking up the sheaf | 5
I unopened envelopes which Law there. ! ,
re snuIfled over the letters. only Z
a. conscious Of what he was doing. / !
men ne started, suddenly awakened 10 / :
=. ~. s3cldllon OF the present One Of {
e SiiNeIopes was addressed TO him in / Z
aIphs well known handwriting. A ! =
ard gray shadow crossed Tom Nor ! I