The daily Alaskan., 1915-01-07

had always been understood between us; said when he talked about 1t had never contradicted him" Miss Thorn. ton raised aggrieved eyes to the edi- tor. Now. wasn't that unreasonable she demanded, ito be expected to mar. " a man just because one had not gone round denying being engaged to him2 And that very evening"-she I baused impressively = Jack Glegg comes walking over to ask me when Pm going to marry him; declared 1 knew all along that the house he was building was for me.
 "l had encouraged Jack in the building" Miss Thornton admitted. because he's naturally idle, and 1 like to see him busy But 1t seems Jack had told me the roof would never go on his house until be had the promise of wife to occupy 1t, and, of course, any one would have advised him to put on the roof. So." she sighed, "it ended by both boys accusing me of | falsely leading them on while being engaged to the other. and when l en- phatically denied this to each they settled back comfortably. believing me to be stiIl their own betrothed'" Miss Elizabeth Thornton laughed
 "It was all so perfectly ridiculous" she continued, that l decided to give them enough of the subject and wrote that silly notice, hurrying 1t off to their home town paper to greet them when they arrived. WoOdbOrough en. joys publishing amusing personalities. and 1 expected the affair to end in a laugh" She regarded the editor ac' cusingly. "But, oh. when the awful thing came out in your paperP Miss Thornton threw out her hands. "Now 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 ruf1ed feel ings of her mother Again, In bis 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 bis 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 indefnable way the piquant charm of the girls presence-that one laughing gfeam from her bIuebell eyes. And so for days the winsome face haunted his memory.
 Richard West formed Q habit of gag ] 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 be had read the pas sage a second time he summoned the social editor.
 Let me know," he requested, elf this announcement has been duly au- thorized." The social editor peered through her glasses.
 'The engagement of Miss Elizabeth Thornton to Mir. Robert Wells" she quoted. "Oh. yes, that is correct! The notice was copied by request from a Beechwood paper. Miss Thornton has been a guest at the Balmoral, re- turning this week, as the notice says, to be married in the city. l will send you the original copy"
 Swiftly the editors practiced eye scanned the bold signature. "Authoriz- ed for publication by Robert Wells" Undecidedly his hand went out toward the telephone. Then, as if in answer to his thought, the office door was opened to admit q small figure.
 May l come tn?' asked a difldent voice. Richard Vests heretofore well behaved heart beat a rapid tattoo as the vision in blue advanced to his side.
 ''I did not think you would do 1t again." she reproached him. In si' ] leIL eNOueIduOu uS uduuSu lO hSA hhS original signed slip of the disturbing announcement watching in vast relief as rebellious color flooded the girls indignant face.
 Tt is just as thought" she cried. Robert Wells wrcte the wretched thing for revenge.
 And the fact stated is not true"
 Miss Thornton scorned the eager question. "I was having such a lovely time," she sald-"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 mocked. "Pl never be married as long as live This time you are not to blame, and l 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 sec me again sooner than you expect" she laughed, and her prophecy came true.
 It was a flushed and beautiful young J woman of. flashing eye who burst In