The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-08-17


SYLVIA MOORE"
Madge Fenton read her letter with
wide-open eyes.
Robert Lorson read his with slowly
whitening face. With compressed
lips he laid 1t down and stared at it
for a long time.
The box containing the engagement
ring he tossed into a drawer of his
desk.
Sylvia" said her married sister one
day, what has become of Bob?"
Really" said Sylvia indifferently,
II haven't the slightest idea"
Mrs. Jameson stared at her What
has happened? You have quarreled?"
she asked quickly
eve are no longer engaged" ex-
planned Sylvia You see, Lisa, Bob
is terribly jealous-he was frightfully
angry because l talked so much to
that delightful Mr.. Enright, the nov
elist. He was actually rude to me-"
you were flirting" accused Lisa,
bluntly.
mot at ALL" fared Sylvia. holly.
Then you really meant all you
looked at Mr. Enright?" asked the old
er woman slowly.
well" Sylvia's voice broke
Every one was talking, and I'm
not a bit surprised that Bob was
angry. But as long as you don't care
If the broken engagement is well
come relief to you, dearie, I am glad
for your sake" Lisa bent and kissed
her sister and walked toward the door
by the way, dear, had glimpse
of Bob this afternoon-he was having
tea at Berry's-with Madge Fenton"
She vanished
"Madge .Fenton" Sylvia's voice
wavered into a little sob. She was
her dearest friend and Sylvia knew
that II there was one other girl in
the world who fancied Bob Lorson
1t was Madge Fenton. And now
Madge, taking advantage of Sylvia's
confidence, was making herself agree
able to Bob.
A few days later, while scanning
the morning paper, Sylvia read mar
rfage notice-Robert Lorson and
Madge Fenton had been married
quietly the day before and were sail
ing at once for a voyage around the
world
Sylvia, with face aflame and heart
of ice, laughed at her own reflection
In the mirror.
Liar! Coward! Cheat" she
tainted herself.
Robert Lorson came back to
America alone. His bride was rest
ing in an unknown grave in some AL
pine crevasse.
Long months afterward Sylvia met
him riding in the park. The scene
OF their meeting was a sheltered
bridlepath. Both drew rein.
Then Robert poured out his heart to
her and asked her to marry him. He
had never ceased to love her, he con-
fessed He did not attempt to excuse
his hasty marriage to Madge Fenton;
that explained itself
you will not want to marry me
when tell you all, Robert" said Syl-
the two letters she had sent
"Of course I realized that you had
made mistake" he said eagerly. CAS-
soon as 1 read the opening line and
saw it was intended for Madge l re-
folded 1t and sent it to her I'll ad-
NIT I was tempted to read all of it."
And Madge exchanged letters with
your" asked Sylvia in muff1ed tone.
He nodded. "She asked me to meet
her at Berry's. We had tea together
and exchanged letters"
"And SO you didn't read the letter
I wrote to Madge?"
Certainly not-how could To-
Il want to tell you what l wrote to
her." went on Sylvia in a strained
voice, and because the letter was
written in fire on her memory she re-
peated it word for word.
''If l had read it all, darling, I
would have come to you at once" he
said tenderly. 81 thought you didn't
care"
Il am not worthy of YOU" she said
brokenly. linked up those letters
Intentionally. l sent Sylvias to you
because l was too proud to confess
myself in the wrong, but l wanted
you to know that 1 loved you in spite
Of all. l did not appreciate that you
had higher code Of honor-that you
would not read what was not intend
ed for you. I have been punished for
my weakness, Bob-and 1 do not
blame you If you despair me-" she
sobbed.
His arms y ere about her