Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-10-29

COuSEeHC l6LLer LndC AUSTIN naQ VIII
ten her on the day before her we'd
ding. Daisy had put the letter and
Austin's photograph away. She had
meant to destroy them; but in her
new happiness she would not even re-
open her bitter memories by recalling
their existence.
Strolling along the sea front, the two
women. completely reconciled. laughed
and chatted with never a thought of
the past. Suddenly Daisy gave lit
tie gasp. Approaching them came Aus
tin and girl. To turn back was i'm
possible. Susan saw the look on
Daisy's face, and her heart suddenly
hardened
But Austin, taking off his hat, shook
hands cordially with both and intro
duced his fiancee. They, too, were
spending their vacation at Seabury.
Before they parted Austin had sug-
gested that many pleasant hours might
be spent together There was nothing
in his manner to indicate that he re-
membered that foolish and impetuous
letter.
Daisy, alone in her room, opened her
trunk and took out the letter and pho
tograph. How weak she had been,
when their discovery might have
prejudiced her own and Roberts hap
piness! She struck match and lit
them, watching till the flames had eat
en- almost across both of them. She
flung the debris into her wastebasket
and went down. She knew that the
past had been obliterated by that act
as fully as in Austin's own mind.
Days passed. Roberts return was
expected on the Friday. On Thursday
evening Austin, who, with his sweet
heart, had been a frequent visitor,
suggested a motor party.
you must go, Daisy. dear" said
Susan.
But you1l come, too?"
mo, I have a headache. l think l
shall go to bed"
Then l shall stay and take care of
you"
mo, Daisy, dear. Robert would
never forgive me if let you wait on
me. Go and enjoy yourself with the
party"
Daisy at last yielded. Carrying the
little boy in her arms she stepped into
the car. The merry voices died away
in the distance. Susan returned to
her room and sat down with com.
pressed lips and frowning brows.
81.
in self-condonation Now let Robert
know her for what she is tomorrow"
And she began pacing the room
while the hours passed. 1t was eleven
it was twelve; the party had not re-
turned. At one o'clock step sounded
outside. Susan opened the door, to
confront Robert, wild-eyed and bag
gard.
Where is she?" he cried fiercely.
Gone motoring with Austin" an
swered Susan. We'll, Robert, per
haps you believe my warning now"
''It was his writing" groaned Rob
ert. sinking down into chair. From
his pocket he extracted his sisters
letter. Inside the folded sheet was
the scrap of burned paper that Susan
had taken from the wastebasket, con
tanning the words:
81 have never ceased to love you
Austin"
Robert sat in the chair in silence
It was two now-it was three In the
morning. It began to grow light. II
was daylight when the sound of the
automobile was heard. 1t stopped be
fore the house and Austin conducted
Daisy up to the door
Robert stood on the threshold, fac
ing them.
Daisy sprang toward him. and re
coiled from the look on his face.
You did not expect me till tomor
row." he said grimly.
Robert. dear. there was an accl
dent"
Where are the rest?"
1--WE saw them home by eleven ant
were on the way back when the acct
| dent"
'Tn talk to you, Clark" said Roh
ert. what have YOU to say. yol
thief, you
Listen, Robert; you are mistaken
The car broke down, and"
you lie! You planned this. think
Ing / would not be home. have you
letter to my wife, you curl"
Whatever you have to say can b
said when we are alone, not In from
OF your wife,"
Daisy stared. horror-stricken, at tn
pair. Had Robert no reason left Sh
ran to him again, she tried to speal
She clasped her arms about him, H
flung her. staggering. away.
I'm ready to meet you when an
where you will. but will not help 20
to humiIiate your wife" cried Austir
Meanwhile I'll take the car back t
the garage"
"I'n be ready for you when you n
turn" cried Robert wildly.
Daisy saw Austin driving ava,
| She shrank from her husband In Ii
creasing fear, clutching the cryin
child. Would he never believe? H
was pacing the porch like a madmai
oblivious of her presence She trie
to enter the house. The door ha
been locked by Susan. ensconced grin
" behind the curtains. her thin lip
dropping at the corners, set in a ga
donic smile.
Presently the sound of footsteps wa
heard. II was Austin returning. A
the sight of him Robert seemed
stiffen into a statue.
Austin came toward them.