Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-03-12

Elmer InesDro u met Enuerps
Dawson and he felt some sympathy
for Dulcie, but instantly his hear,
hardened, when he remembered the
cruel trick she had played upon him
for no reason whatever, He had found
the little car in perfect condition-the
steering gear was faultless In action.
Then-then-when he had stood there
in the chintz-hung chamber talking 10
Miss Hannah he had faced a mirror
that reelected the four-post bed and
he had seen Dulcie's lovely eyes open
for an instant
''Trickery," he had muttered to
himself and now he had proof of it.
Il will make inquiries tomorrow"
he said as he left the house. Il trust
Miss Whitmore may continue TO i'm
prove"
Dulcie, lying meekly in the cham.
Der. heard his parting words and h
read something beneath their polite
exterior. He had surprised her glance
in the mirror-he knew.
She covered her burning face with
her hands and cried. because she real
lied how cheap and shallow had been
her actions. What could she do to set
herself right with him?
Her aunts made her remain in bed
for several days after that, for they
declared that Dulcie looked feverish,
so Dulcie had many hours in which
10 repent of her Stiffness.
"A lady to see you, Mr. Chesbro,"
said a clerk, appearing at the door OF
Elmer Chesbro's private office.
Elmer Chesbro glanced at the card.
Miss Whitmore." He frowned ann
a red flush anne under his eyes.
Show her in, Jones'" he said.
Dulcie Whitmore came In, looking
very pale and subdued in golden
brown velvet and furs.
Chesbro looked down at her with
u%nfriendly eyes, but he greeted her
with formal %politeness and brought
her a low wicker chair which he re-
served for women clients.
Dulcie found 1t difficult to begin.
She felt very mean and small in this
grave Office so obviously given over
to the transaction of weighty busl-
ness matters. She felt a vague sense
of gratitude that he had consented to
see her at all.
Mr.. Chesbro, / IN so sorry-but-
there is something | must tell you
stammered Dulcie.
.srA1 oaatJanf All VOC"
Then you knew 1t wasn't an acct
dent?' blurted forth Dulcie.
Il guessed after awhile--I've Won
dered ever since why you did it," said
Chesbro gently.
Dulcie pressed a handkerchief to
her wet eyes. She had promised her
self that she would tell 1t all to FL
mer Chesbro-it would be h~umiliating,
but it would do her good, she told
herself.
So in hating words she confessed
to Elmer Chesbro-how she had re-
sented his criticism of her as "a little
kid" and how she had Just twisted the
little red car around to scare him
and make him feel foolish-and now
she was the only one that felt foolish
she was a perfect idiot-so there!
Chesbro had turned away his head
and was looking out of the window so
that Dulcie could not see his face. She
fancied it was very grim and stern
and she admitted to herself that she
cared more for his good opinion than
for anything else in the world.
I've been in love with him all this
time-that's why it hurt me so when
he called me that" she thought with
sudden horror.
"I-hope-youu forgive me-, Mr..
Chesbro," she q%uavered, as she arose
to go.
He turned swiftly and came to her.
taking her little gloved hands in his
own.
Il have an explanation to make" he
said in a c%uriously repressed tone. Il
have never forgotten the moment l
met you first-I fell in love with you
then and there, but when Beth leased
me for an opinion-why, we'll, you
hnOW Dl6 uioticlo uohe iihc " tcii
their heart secrets to little sisters, so
| Just said that you were a cute little
kid In an off-hand way-never
dreaming that that mischievous Beth
would repeat It to you.
And I've never lost sight of you
during the years-I've been frightfully
Jealous of many fellows and saw you
the day you took Enderby Dawson up
the bank by the butternut tree! l
was passing in my car and heard you
laughing at him. Oh. I'm a very bear.
ish sort Of fellow where the girl l love
is concerned and, because | was too
diffident to woo you myself. l was
jealous Of every chap that came near
you-well, Miss Dulcie Whltmore. I've
made my confession. too-so we're
quits!" He looked down at her rue
fully and there was pain in his kind
eyes.
Dulcie had listened with downcast
eyes and flushing cheek.
rs that all?" she whispered at last,
her ayes lowered.
You want to hear the rest?" ne
cried, leaning down to look in her
eyes.
"Yes-there might as well be a hap
by ending." confessed Dulcie as she
felt his arms about her.
monyriPht MA hy the Mcclure News