The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-12
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down on the rustic bencn uoso
engaging in casual. friendly conveFsS
ton.
The door fellow was Ernest Har
nor He looked grave and troubled. bue
II seemed as though the presence o.
the CHEEKY little woman beside him
made him momentarily forget MS anxf
cites.
..How sorry feel for him!" breathed
Rose as they parted. How unworthy 10
she OF the love of man like him.!
IF Rose only knew!" soliloquizeo
Ernest as he went on his way. AL
me! life Is q sad enigma
Here were the facts in the case:
Ernest Harper was engaged to the SIS
ter of his dearest friend. Lora Moody.
And Rose Darrell knew that Lora did
not love him, was fiippant hirt ana
would bring him pain and disappoint
ment in the years to come.
How she had found this out was ner
own treasured secret
Ernest was surprised to be aroused
from his morning slumber by the an
nouncement of servant That Mr.
Moody. Lora's father. was in the parior
below and would he please dress ana
come down at once?"
When Ernest joined his early visitor
he found Mr.. Moody pacing the room
up and down in a state Of great agitar
ton.
Ernest" he spoke in an unsteady
tone, I've got some bad news for
you
Ned" began Ernest.
mo, Lora."
"She is ill?"
"worse," groaned the unhappy faith
er. Ernest, boy, be brave! We deplore
it all, and you have been the man all
through, but drive her from your
thoughts. She is unworthy of you"
You mean-?"
she eloped last night with Lieuten-
ant Trescombe."
1t was severe shock to the astound
ed fiance, but less from personal grief
than pity for the chum and his fam
lily, upon whom this hard blow had
been brought. In measure he was re-
| lieved
IF Lora loved him." he said, quietly.
'she will be happy with him."
But you-you? We feel so for
you!'
Don't think of me, Mr. Moody" re-
turned Ernest. Il only wish them joy
and contentment"
You are a noble fellow!" declared
Mr.. Moody.
"Free!" Ernest Harper whispered to
himself as later that morning he once
again strolled in the little park, think
ing over the acute change in affairs
that had come about. Was he think.
ing. too, of Rose? If so, that account.
ed for new brightness in his face as
he made her out at little distance.
She greeted him with a warm hand
clasp, her face showing deep womanly
sympathy.
Il am so sorry" she said in a sub
dued tone.
He sat down beside her with a deer
sigh. 1t seemed as though a strange
restfulness came over him. He knew
what was in her mind-friendly pity
genuine interest She was rather
surprised at the calm, grave manner
in which he took his trouble. Rose
drifted the conversation into genera
channels. She manifested an interesl
in his work. She spoke of a book be
had written and he was gratified t
discern that she was familiar with al
It's details and especially appreciated
the parts of it which he himself priced
AT the end of week the Moody fam
lily heard from the truant daughter
she was married and was visiting will
, the family of her husband. He was al
empty-headed fellow, but had wealth
ana lively social connections. and
while glad of his escape from marry
: ing woman he did not love. Ernes
: really believed that Lora would b.
D happy in her new environment.
Ernest decided to leave the village
he went to bid farewell to the girl h
cherished as a true friend. They wer
3 seated In tie garden when littl
4 brother of Rose came running up /
|, her.
/ lou I'd the locket, sister." he cried
e excited. "On the croquet lawn" an
0 ne handed to Rose an article at whic
! Ernest stared strangely.
Il Why he could not help exclaiu
y ing, where did that come from?"
Rose turned scarlet. she evaded hi
d glance. She was terribly Mustered.
y THAT is. Lora-"
Cast it aside-yes. 1 know that
said Ernest, but"
D Rose suddenly recovered her con
posture.
. Shall | tell you the TRUTH. sb
asked frankly. We'll, then. felt YER
sorry for your sake"
And sister has worn it ever sine
a til she lost it," broke in the ut,,
h orother' and she cried when 81
: did" on
i Ssh. faltered Rose. but the trut