The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-10-29


farewell to his friend.
About s o'clock he motored to the
mansion that had been the home Of
the Aldidges since the early days
of the city.
When she came to meet him with
both hands extended, her gray, sha-
dowy eyes bright with an unusual
welcome, he was thrilled as he had
seldom been before. Her cheeks
we're rosy with some excitement. and
her manner was warm and friendly
When they were seated together in
one Of the quiet rooms of the great
house. his impression deepened that
something had happened to change
her attitude toward him. She was
now as he had dreamed she might
be some time, and his usually cool
beating heart quickened.
After they had chatted of many
things, "the nothings that make up
so much of life," she leaned toward
him and rested one small hand on
the back Of the wide lounge.
He jumped at her first words,
stiffened at others, and his throat
was beyond utterance when she fin
ished.
Grant, Scott was here late this
afternoon. had heard rumors
through friend in Beecher's office
that not only was he on the verge
of business failure, but, also, that
he had used money that you had
given him to invest. He was in
such terrible stress Of mind that 1t
wasn't all clear what he said. but
he did say that he used your money,
but that it was loan from"
"a loan from-pardon me, 60
on"
"Yes-and, Grant, knew you
would be modest about it; but real
ly, it was a noble thing to do. and
1 could almost love you for It'll"
He turned to her, his mind tang
ling its thought. as he looked into
her gray, tender eyes. He mastered
his feeling.
She went on. ut would not take
very much more for me to give my
self-wait, please, please! I am not
ready-iust yet, but it was a deed
which showed a kindly heart; and
I've always thought you did not
have It,"
A maid came with card. but be-
fore the tray was offered, Scott,
haggard OF face, dusty, and CULVER
ing, came toward them. He stopped
short and swayed.
He was breathing hard. but his
widely strung, breatless words car
ried meaning. He turned to her.
"Alice. IL have ceme to say I'm
I'm to be arrested-I-"
She went to him with that curl
GUS little sound that can be de-
scribed only by saying 1t is a
mether-ssund, and her arms went
around his neck. Hush. Ted, wait
sit down here with me-"
He sank down. His curly head
was drawn against the white bosom.
and he broke into the wrenching
sobs that are torn from a mans har-
rowed soul.
Carson, who had risen. looked on
in wonder, then with understand
ing. Some one had warned Scott,
and no had gone to the only one he
could come to-tAe girl he loved.
and the girl who. beyond all ques-
ton, loved him. The boyish spirit
was broken; and Carson knew why.
Fortune and the love Of one true
heart are the stakes for which. since
time imnemorial. men have sinned
and suffered. The boy before him
could not be blamed.
He stepped over. Pardon me,
may 1 ask what is wrsng7"
Scott lifted wild eyes. "You--
you here? Carson. I-I-a warrant
is out for me for embezzling funds
you"
Carson laughed. well, that Is a
devil Of a note-pardon me. Miss
Aldridge-there must be some mis-
take. loaned you that money. The
strain has been too much for you,
Scott this week; you aren't as
tough as the rest of us. Why, I
certainly advanced that money as a