Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-04-06
to be stiIl their own betrothed'" Miss

| them enough of the subject and wrote
that silly notice. hurrying 1t or to
their home town paper to greet them
when they arrived. marlborough en-
joys publishing amusing personalities,
and expected the affair to end In
| laugh" She regarded the editor ac
cusingly. But. oh, when the awful
| thing came out in your paper" Miss
Thornton threw out her hands. Nov
I'm afraid-for you," she said
| Richard West followed the girl to
| the door and then surprised himself
by continuing to follow into the ele-
vator and on down to the street. where
he stood an unnecessary length OF
time assuring her of his regret and of
his ability to soothe the ruffied feel
ings of her mother Again. In his Of
fee he stopped to pick up bunch OF
faded violets which had fallen from
the girls belt and to place them care
fully In his desk Then he leaned
back in his chair. falling into a pleas
ant reverie. Each fragrant breath
from the violets seemed to bring back
in an indefinable way the piquant
charm of the girls presence-that one
laughing CLEAN from her bluebell eyes.
And SO for days the winsome face
haunted his memory.
Richard West formed habit of gaz-
ing eagerly down at the passersby or
Of falling into brown studies before
his desk. Then. one day, the girls
well remembered name caught his eye,
seeming to stand out In glowing let
ters upon the social column of his own
paper When he had read the pas
sage a second time he summoned the
social editor
LET me know" be requested, III
this announcement has been duly au-
thorized." The social editor peered
through her glasses.
1.-THE engagement of Miss Elizabeth
Thornton to Mr. Robert Wells" she
quoted "Oh. yes, that is correct!
The notice was copied by request from
q Beechwood paper. Miss Thornton
has been guest at the Balmoral, re-
turning this week. as the notice says,
to be married in the city. will send
you the original copy"
Swiftly the editers practiced eye
scanned the bold signature, "Authoriz-
ed for publication by Robert Wells"
Undecidedly his hand went out toward
the telephone. Then. as IL in answer
to his thought. the Office door was
opened to admit small figure.
MAY | come in?" asked diffident
voice. Richard Vests heretofore well
behaved heart beat rapid tattoo as
the vision In blue advanced to his side.
81 did not think you would do it
again." she reproached him. In ST.
lent exoneration he handed to her the
original signed slip of the disturbing
announcement. watching in vast relief
as rebellious color flooded the girls
indignant face.
1T is just as / thought" she cried.
Robert Wells wrote the wretched
thing for revenge.
"And the fact stated is not true?"
Miss Thornton scorned the eager
question. Il was having such a
lovely time" she said-"dancing, driv-
ing. tennis! Now he has spoiled 1t
ALL If had leprosy | could not be
more avoided Returning to be mar
ried in the city," she Knocked. I'm
never be married as long as ! live.
This time you are not to blame. and
came down to scold you"
"One might be driven to second Of
fense," he told her. for the pleasure
of seeing you once more"
"You may see me again sooner than
you expect she laughed. and her
prophecy came true.
1t was Il flushed and beautiful young
woman of flashing eye who burst In
upon him one gloriously memorable
morning
81 hope I'm in time" she began
breathlessly and waving aloft paper.
| Grandmother read it last night in the
| Farm Gazette"
| With that glowing face so near his
| own, ii was rather difficult at first to
| grasp the significance of this latest
message, but presently Richard West
| realized that Miss Elizabeth Thorn
ton was again reported engaged, Mr..
John GleGg this time figuring as the
| fortunate bridegroom elect"
isn't it contemptibleT Miss Thorn
ton glanced distractingly through
floating strand Of hair. You see, they
have agreed together to get-even. oh,
| wish The resonant voice broke
TREMENDOUSLY as the girl turned to the
| window.
| Richard West followed. shaken, be-
tween a desire for deep sympathy and
desire for helpless laughter. wonder
| ing at the mighty emotion which surg
ed within him at the sight of two
very genuine tears creeping down the
girls averted cheek. Tightly his hand
/ closed over hers
ct has all been SO chlldishly fool
| ish,' she murmured.
| Perhaps it has," the man answered
| gently, but I'm afraid that I cannot
| be sorry, Elizabeth"-h paused, and
| the name was allowed to pass.
/ 81 can't be sorry because the fool
ishness' brought you to me. and / can't
| be quite sorry for your tears. Tears
| prove the existence Of heart, and IL
| you have one-if-I-have-I want it,
to keep forever, Elizabeth"
Silence I'm the Office while the teie-
| phone bell rang unheard: then Richard
4 West rushed over TO his desk to pen a
hasty line.
'aThere." he cried friumphantly; that
goes into the paper tonight, and think,
dear, you've scored the boys there"
CHANGING over her lovers shoulder
the girl read aloud: "The engagement
IL announced Of Miss Elizabeth Thorn
ton to Mr.. Richard West Wedding to