El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-04-24
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS

SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.
Tom Morton, college man; tan and
plain. enjoying cOmIor taole inherit
anca and a prospecting business, has
won the hand and heart Of Edith Hale.
after her return from LlnlsnlnS
course in Europe To save ms dash
fua needless. young cousin. ttalpn- from
"a ffranria1 predicament Tom consents
to cancel an evenings engagement with
his fiancee and run over TO BaILmore
to settle the embarrassing DEBT
Ralph. always popular with women,
and long frlend ana La t oLiSe OF
Elith's. offers to call at the handsome
Hale house. in HOLewoOd. TO cheer her
in her disappointment at missing a
talk with Tom. The latters telephoned
explanation for his proposed absence
Che does not reveal the cause for it,
leaves his fiaaCee vexed that business
can be more important than talk over
plans for their own engagement dinner
planned for the following night
Constance Medford, tactful, sensible,
young cousin. who lives with the Eales,
champions Tom as Edith pouts. Per
hGps Ralph will come over II so,
shall not miss Tom, for Ralph is such
fun and then, as they sit at dinner,
the door bell
Chaptet ".
GCr THOUGHT Tom was to be here
tonight" Mr.. Hale remarked as
the family gathered about the
dinner table. why didn't he Gomez"
oh" replied his daughter with a
vexed laugh, "he let little matter Of
business keep him away. He telephoned
to me an hour or two ago about it"
I'm sorry not TO have the boy with
US" her father said. "but do like the
conscientious spirit he shows about his
work"
Yes" Mrs. Hale agreed. He does
not let inclination Interfere with
duty"
Edith was silent From her face one
could not guess her thoughts
Dinner was almost ended, when there
was a ring a THE front door bell, and
'Ar Ralph Morton"
Let him come right in and have a
cup of coffee with US Mrs. Hale or
dered, and her daughter supplemented
it with. why, yes, Of course"
The most preiudiced observer could
hardly deny that it was a good looking
man who entered. As he paused in the
doorway, his face lighted By a smile
Morton was far better looking than his
dark eyes glanclng from one TO the
other OF the family group, Constance
acknowledged TO herself that Ralph
Morton was far better looking that his
more sober cousin, and that he pos
sessed a personal magnetism which
which would be hard 10 resist were he
TO consider II worth while to exert il.
This evening he evidently desired TO
make himself agreeable. and he bent
low over his hostess hand, thanking
her for allowing him 10 come in -jusl
like one Of the family then he shook
hands heartily with his host. cordially
with Constance and almost affection
ately with Edith. His voice took on an
added gentleness as he spoke 10 her,
halL familiarity, half teasingly-
i did not need an excuse TO bring
me here this evening he said 20 her,
but had ] needed one I had il in the
fact THAI I am the bearer Of message
Of regret from Tom He Is detained III
town on business.
He telephoned me that he could not
come renlied the girl looking at him
keenly- But he told me he had been
called out Of the city"
Ralph flushed with embarrassment
Edith. noting this. wondered just why
Tom Morton was remaining away from
false Oue2 Constance Medford- seeing
Ralph's discontinue, wondered with
sudden suspicion what he was conceal
ing.
why should he have said that Tom
was staying in New York tonight. WnUs.
Tom himself had said otherwise And
Ralph Morton, feeling the eyes Of both
girls focused upon him, laughed awk-
"Oh, yes" he said, come TO think Of
IL, he did say he was going out of town
] forgot just where The main point
that impressed me was tnat he could
not be here and that he was much dis
appointed that he could not
so he told me over the telephone,
Edith remarked dryly-
Never mind. darling" her mother
sOothed. hearing the sound of wounded
feeling in the girls voice Tomorrow
night he VIII be here for your engage
ment dinner. I cannot help thinking.
she went on. anxious 70 change the cur
rent Of her daughters thoughts. how
much surprised our neiEhbors VIII b.,
WREN they hear that you and Tom are
ENGAGED.
The waitress had placed the coffee
on the table and had withdrawn. so the
mistress felt that she could speak with
out restraint
For. YOU know. Ralph" she contin-
uc1 you two boys have been here so
much with my two girls that I do not
believe any outsiders know which girI