The Lamar register., 1915-10-27
AHTOIHETTE'S KNIGHT
BY KEITH KENYON.


Antoinettes book slipped unnoticed
to the floor as her fingers relaxed
their held. Her head leaned against
the window frame as she gazed dream
lily down the green vistas of the old
rectory garden.
Hello, girlie!" called a tender
voice. and Antoinette's dream fed as
her lowered glance encountered Bob
by Ortlepp's frank gray eyes. Think
ing of me?" he asked softly. as he
stepped under the window.
Antoinette stared at him resentfully.
Bobby's plain face, rough tweeds
and villainous old pipe were a rude
awakening from dreams of Sir Gala
had of romantic charm.
What's the matter?" asked Bobby
quickly.
"oh. nothing-only I'm tired Of
everything" sighed Antoinette.
Except me-" added Bobby. rushing
blindly to his fate.
Antoinette was twisting her engage
ment ring around her slim finger. The
diamond flashed and almost dazzled
Bobby's quick glance.
Except me7" he repeated logged
ly.
At that moment the ring slipped
from Antoinette's finger. touched the
window sill and then bounded into the
bed Of forget-me-nots.
Obi" cried Antoinette. forced back
into the disagreeable present.
Bobby's face crimsoned and then
went gray as ashes.
He bent down and searched the for
get-me-nots for the lost ring. AT last
he found It and held IT toward her.
There was a queer expression in his
honest eyes.
Would you rather not wear It
again. Antoinette?"
Antoinette tilted back her head and
an imp Of perversity whispered in her
ear.
"Really"-she managed to assume
a slightly bored expression-"really,
Bobby, don't especially care"
Very WELL" cut in Bobby. turning
on his heels. Good afternoon"
He strobe toward the hedged path.
passing the splashing fountain. With
a vicious motion Of his hand he sent
the sparkling Jewel into the air, to fall
and lie hidden in the water that filled
the deep basin.
MY ringl" gasped Antoinette. star
ing after Bobby's form as he tramped
down the path. He did not turn
around.
There goes a twentieth century
knight" she laughed shakingly.
Fancy Sir Galahad going off in a
pet like that
Bobby did not stay long. dear. y
observed the rector as they sat down
at dinner He was a mild-eyed. mild
hammered man, and he quite ap-
proved Of Bobby Ortlepp.
Mrs. Carey looked concerned.
81 suppose he had to be at the hos
pital on time" she said
Hospital" asked Antoinette. go
ing quite pale for no apparent rea-
son.
'Yes-he told you, dear. of course. "
MOO" said Antoinette. He
didn't stay long Is he ill?"
The rector shook his head. No,
child, but you know young Henry
Blair, the foreman in Bobby's fac
tory. is at deaths door with anemia.
As a last resort, they are going to
try TRANSMISSION OF blood. Bobby Of
fored himself and was accepted. He
came in and told us and then said
he was looking for you. He wanted
to tell you about It,"
He didn't say a word" said An
toinette, family. 'Is-is-there any
danger. father"
Il hardly think so, dear"
rs it to DO tonight?" asked An
toinetts timidly.
TT was TO be at five O'Clock.
must telephone the hospital and find
out the result" said her father. fin
ishing his coffee
Yes. father" she said mechanical,
ly, and then left the room abruptly.
Antoinette haunted the garden
paths that evening. 1t seemed to her
that no matter which way she went
she saw Bobby's white, unhappy face
as he left her in anger. 1t was all
so unnecessary. too. for she had brok-
en- her troth only in a moment of