La Junta tribune., 1916-12-30

fhrs IOF yUu. Cuu ouiy say TINT
shall build the lodge and II you wish
to live In II You win be welcome to
do So"
Not long after this Alexander. aided
by John. was stalking out the lines for
the foundations OF the lodge. The
grounds near the gate were covered
with trees. and Anne. approaching.
paused in the shadow and watched
them for q moment and then. advanc-
Ing. asked what they were doing.
I'm going to build n lodge here"
said Mr. Alexander. John will live
in 1t. have suggested his taking
wife TO keep him company"
John. who was driving a stake. did
not look up and failed to see glance
that his employer gave the girl. Anne
turned away and walked toward the
house. Alexander Joined her. and
John, having driven the stake. looked
after them An idea seemed to have
entered his brain or. rather. his heart.
for an idea will enter through the
heart that will not gain admittance
through the brain. suppose Alexander
wanted Anne HIMSELF
The thought brought with 1t infinite
tcrrors. Although Alexander was near
~ double the girls age. that was no
reason why she should not marry him
He had Inherited her with the place
She was indebted 10 him for her living
As his wife she would live life or
luxury. Could there be stronger ren'
sons why she should marry him II lie
wanted her.
The foundations for the lodge were
dug and the structure was nearly com
plctcl when one day Anne met John
making preparations for little garien
IN its rear. Anne. who had been out
gathering wild flowers, came IA at the
gate and began 10 talk to him.
whats that Mr Alexander was say
Ing 20 you about being married and liv-
ing IN the lodgeT
lie wants some one at the gate,
what for / don't know. There has
never been any eatekeeper since the
place was built"
who Is It you're thinking Of marry
ingT'
John looked up. surprised. Hes
been talking TO you" he said
Anne neither affirmed nor denied the
truth OF the statement
Did he tell you that she was not
born a lady. but was brought up oneiT
asked John.
Stlll there was no reply.
she wouldn't live In a lodge" con.
tinucd John.
How do you known"
Perhaps she might do better, She
might be mistress 81 a country place Of
her own"
she might not wish to be"
But you don't deny that she might
be- II she chose
Anne was looking into vacancy
What she was thinking John did not
know. She knew Of what she was
thinking, bot IL Is questionable " she
knew herself just what she thought
At any rate. she was not controlling
her thoughts. They were controlling
her There was step On the gravel
walk, and Alexander, approaching, saw
the girl standing near his gardener
John looking wisifully into her face
4 frown denoted that an idea had ELI
tered Alexandcr's brain similar a. the
one that had struck John when Ann,
and Alexander bad walked away from
him on the day the fou..latlOn line OF
the lodge WIS being stakeI out i,
was succeeded by smile. and Alex
nudcr said jOculurIy;
We'll, John. the lodge j. nearly ready
for you. How about the girl who l. TO
occupy It with your Has She consent
I'll TO live In 80 humble dwclliugg"
Il fear not" replied John. Where
had one doubt on the day gave you
my confidence have dozen today"
How Is that. IohuI"
THAT would De 10 discuss matters
which have no right TO discuss"
Alexander cuIorcd slightly under the
implied reprJof. then. turning 10 Anne.
asked her II she would walk 20 the
conservatory with him since he wished
10 show her somcthiu; there. Anne
accepted, but bcfor. turning from
| John gave him look. What II meant
he did not know. IL was merely n
look.
When the lodge was finished it, own,
er ordered n supper 10 be served there
! and invited every one on the place to
I gather in the evening to celebrate the
buildings completion When all had