The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-09-29

By SUSAN LANoETr.

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business would detain him IN towi
and handed his car over to Lawrence
Brooke. who was not pleased witt
the turn Of events. He and the CIR
who was to have been the fourth ir
Grahame's car were in trouble. ant
when IL comes to taking q 60-mlls
drive with an iceberg sitting beside
one Il is not surprising that Brooke
was In a state Of mind not describable.
As for the girl-what she thought was
not evident. But she had whitened
suddenly when DOrOthy's message
reached them.
The situation was awkward, but Il
was carried off by the girl, who seat.
ed herself beside Lawrence and spared
nc pains to make general talk. This
she could do. for she was more than
girl. She was a woman who had
travelled and read extensively and had
the fortunate gift Of being agreeable
without touching upon the personal.
When It is known that the misuader-
derstanding between the two had re-
suited in the breaking Of their en-
gagement 1t viii be seen that it re-
CURED both pride and tact for her to
keep to her policy Of treating the man
beside her as a newly acquired ac-
quaintance to whom she was making
herself entertaining.
Finally anger held him ia an iron
grip. That she could ignore-be so in
different to past RELATIONSHIPS beyond
his understanding, but he was deter
mined to know the reason back Of the
letter he had received from her.
It was a eoldly worded letter and
gave no explanation as to why she
broke with him. She had merely
stated the bald fact that she had
changed her mind.
IF she thinks she can keep the con-
versation in her hands until we reach
Braddock she is mistaken" he told
himself grimly.
The talk became spasmodic, faItered.
then ceased altogether. Then he spoke
to her.
Il have been wondering, Mary, how
long you would be able to keep it up
wondering when you would sense the
fact there was something Of Infinite
ly more importance than this trip YOU
have been telling me about. No doubt
it was interesting. but the important
topic TO me just now is ourselves. 1
cannot follow the intricacies 81 your
woman's mind and / have sought In
vain for an explanation of the letter
you sent me. You did not answer my
note, refused to see me. / want to
know the reason you broke with me,
and be sure, Mary, that viii know the
real reason, not a make-belieye one.
There must have been a powerful one
back Of it. What was itT
AS she did not reply. he drove to
the side Of the road and stopped the
car 1t was then he caught a glimpse
Of her quickly averted face. The sight
scftened him. but did not alter his
determination to reach an understand |
Ing. Before he again spoke she said:
4 should have told you, Lawrence, /
but I could not Even now it is dlf- |
tcult for me to speak. You know a /
Mrs. Endicott, do you not, AIrs.
Charles Endicott Of Bostong'
"WenY
she called upon me some days ago.
She had a little child with her-a 1
very handsome boy. She told me his
name was Lawrence Brooke and that
his mother was alive"
Still, don't see" he began per-
picked. Then his face whitened.
Il understand, Mary" His voice was
harsh. @But don't you think it would
have been better to have come to me?r
'She showed me letters-a marriage
certificate"
For some minutes he did not speak.
Then he slipped his hand into an in
side pocket and withdrew A letter.
Il do not know how Mrs. Endicott
came into possession Of the paper you
mention or the letter. but this one is
from the boys mother. Before YOU
read il must tell you there are sew
eTal men bearing my name. The
father of the child is the black sheen
of the Brooke family. do not
often speak Of him, but this comes too
close to me. Lawrence deserted his
wife three years ago. 1 have just Sc
cured her freedom. l hope you win be
friends with her Mary, for she has
need Of friends. win you read her
etter? 1t mentions you"
II was short letter, but came from
he heart Of a woman who had seen
ieep trouble. At the last she wrote:
you must bring her to see me, Law
renee, that sweetheart of yours. l can
lardly wait until then. You have told
ne so much of her tnat my friendn-
less stretches out until / feel that she
must feel it. / do so hope for herd
Il feel as she does, Mary. cannot
yait. Let us turn back. We are too
ate for lunch with the crowd. will
'et you something to eat later on.
ieantime, we are going to stop in
why Rockvillefr she questioned.
1T is the Gretna Green Of Maryland,
nd am going to run away with YOU
e answered lightly.
Very we'll" she said soberly. Il
ave had q week Of misery. I am